Matt Wieters (0 DXL)
Today's the day and I figured that I should at least address Wieters. Wieters may be the rebirth of the Orioles or PECOTA's Waterloo, but we do know that he's going to be the ultimate test of the tall catcher problem. Along with Joe Mauer, whose leg problems can in some ways be attributed to his height, Wieters is one of very few catchers over 6'3". Keith Law was the first to mention this that I can remember, though I'm sure it had been addressed elsewhere. His ideas on it (he was against at the time, though I'm not sure if he still is) got me to ask some of my father's students to test it. They did some calculations and physical tests and, yes, there is more stress on the knees and hips during all phases of the crouch. Testing the muscles' response was more difficult, but the additional stresses didn't seem to speak well there. I've long been for moving Mauer from behind the plate, and if Wieters is as good, I'll be an advocate of moving him as well. Not completely, but both play in the AL and that DH slot should be used for more than just hiding a glove. Now, let's all hope that this is the last time that I have to put Wieters' name in UTK.