FREDERICK, Md. (Map, News) - It took Matt Wieters two swings to show why the Orioles gave him the largest signing bonus in team history.

Wieters homered in each of his first two offical at-bats and drove home three runs in his debut with the Single-A Frederick Keys, leading them to a 7-3 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats on Friday.

It was that display of power which the Orioles envision seeing one day at Camden Yards when they selected the former Georgia Tech catcher with the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft before giving him $6 million to sign a professional contract.

“Hitting a home run right away was a great way to get started, but I also know I’ve still got 140 games to play this year,” Wieters said. “I know there are a lot of expectations, but none are greater than the ones I place on myself. Right now, we have a lot of young players here and I think it’s a great time to be a baseball fan here.”

Frederick manager Tommy Thompson said Wieters, who went 1-for-2 with a run driven-in and a run scored in a 2-0 victory over the Hillcats on Saturday, has all of the skills — a great arm, speed, hitting and defensive ability — to succeed in the major leagues.

“He’s awesome,” said Thompson, who led Frederick to the Carolina League title last season. “I just need to let him play and try to teach him about pitch selection and get him at-bats. He’s a very smart kid. When you get a player in the first year, you often have to teach them a lot. But Matt has a good head on his shoulders. You put a player like that in leadership roles on the field and in the clubhouse.”

Wieters has the highest profile of any Oriole prospect, but Frederick’s roster features fourl first-round draft picks, who the franchise is counting on to be its future stars.

The Keys are powered by third baseman and 2006 top pick Billy Rowell, 2006 supplemental pick Pedro Beato and 2006 first-round pick catcher Brandon Snyder, who combine with pitchers Jake Arrieta and Brandon Erbe, a former McDonogh standout, to give the team a strong nucleous.

Snyder, a 6-foot-2, 205 pound native of Centreville, Va., was supposed to be the Orioles’ catcher of the future before shoulder injuries forced him to become a first baseman.

“I’ve definitely grown up as a player and a person,” Snyder, who hit .378 in the Hawaii Winter League, said. “The hardest adjustment wasn’t physically, but trying not to get beat up mentally as you have to get yourself up for every game. There is also added pressure being a top pick because you know they want you to get to the big leagues, but that can’t make you more nervous than you already are. You just trust the ability that made you a first-round pick.”

rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"

City Resident said:
its good to see some people still support the Orioles. as a Baltimore resident who grew up in Boston, i know what its like to root for a crappy team for a LONG time (Bruins, Celtics especially). and those complainers? they'll be the first ones back when things are going well again. sad! keep it up true O's fans and i'll "see you at the Yard!"

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12:09 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007 re: "O's say no deals today"

Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????

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5:06 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Mitchell Report unites fans"

avid reader said:
I csn't believe that baseball paid this guy all of that money to write a report that could take baseball down. There was no news in the report because so many players grow too fast in size and as a fan I say to myself this guy could not be spending this much time in the gym. This is a sad scenario for the game.

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6:23 PM MST on Sat., Dec. 15, 2007 re: "Say it ain�t so, MLB players"

Karl said:
many baseball players want to play, win, and continue their careers at whatever cost; even to taking illegal substances. And the fans feel the same way. Let them continue their careers. And if taking illegal substances helps to win games, that is okay with the majority of fans. As Vince Lombardi is credited with saying, "winning is everything; it is the only thing."

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9:26 PM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "Big names hit in MLB drugging report"

O's season ticket holder said: said:
What i find amazing is this. Two years ago all of the congressmen wanted to hold hearings on this same matter, now i see why. Just like this retired senator they are all looking for lucrative jobs once they leave office.....

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7:08 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "Big names hit in MLB drugging report"

Examiner Reader said:
How convenient that not a single current Red Sox player is mentioned, despite the glaringly obvious Ortiz. How can someone his age have a heart condition known to be linked to steroid use and not have showed up in the report? Perhaps because it was controlled by someone who has a financial stake in the Red Sox?

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6:35 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "The Dirty Birds"

Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????

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6:32 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "Big names hit in MLB drugging report"

Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't

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12:28 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007 re: "O's trade Tejada to Houston"

Don said:
Maybe they can get a package deal for the O's and Rav's with Mayflower van lines. It's got to be terrible being a local sportcaster here in Baltimore.

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1:53 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007 re: "A day late and 25 games short"

Caroline- A.K.A orioles fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and what did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!

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1:21 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Lauren said:
i hope the orioles make some changes in the offseason because i've just about had it them. we have some great guys on our team. But, the pitching, most of all the pitchers have been injured this year, loewen,benson,wright,bedard,guthrie, and some other guys, if we can get them healthy and ready to go for 2008 i think we will play better. to be a playoff team you need everything, solid pitching, good defense and good offense and the orioles will have eveything if they just keep their players healthly.

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5:55 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

oriole fan said:
all i want is for the orioles to at least get to the playoffs, thats all i'm asking from them. or maybe even finish above .500 because after 10 losing seasons baltimore deserves a winning team! but i had to say that orioles have not given up. they play better against the yankees then they do agaisnt the devil rays. i mean c'mon! whats up with that?

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5:44 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

oriole fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and want did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!

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9:58 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Examiner Reader said:
It is ASTONISHING that these comments get well over 50 users rating their statements. The real issues get 1, 2, maybe 3. Maybe this is why Baltimore has such problems- no one cares enough to speak up, or take the time to do something! When it starts to leak into your neighborhood, I bet then we'll hear your mouth.

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9:10 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Baseball Fan said:
HI, I think it is about time that the Baltimore Orioles wear your cities name on their away uniforms. They have the weak excuse that they serve other areas that would not relate to Baltimore. I live in New Hampshire and I have no problem with the Boston Red Sox identifying with Boston on their away uniforms. If the Red Sox didn't recognize Boston on their away uniforms I would take it as an insult to Boston and the home town fans. I have been to your city many times and have taken in Orioles, Red Sox games. I can't understand how Orioles fans and the city of Baltimore don't insist on the Orioles identifying with Baltimore on their away uniforms. After all, they are the Baltimore Orioles. They wouldn't have such a great ball park if it wasn't for the support of the tax payers of Baltimore. Thanks

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6:03 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Don said:
Send the O's packing it's over. Root for the new kids on the block the Washington Nationals. They are welcome to use our stadium Hon.

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6:49 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007 re: "The great Orioles MVP debate: The argument for Nick Markakis"

Examiner Reader said:
I thought Palmer put Markakis on the rising stars list because he was under 25 which the list asked for. Bedard is, what, 29? C'mon Welsh. Do your homework and stop twisting facts. Palmer wins in a landslide.

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11:31 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 23, 2007 re: "Rangers have record night at O�s expense"

A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!

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6:15 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 23, 2007 re: "Rangers have record night at O�s expense"

Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.

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3:35 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 22, 2007 re: "O's Trembley wins manager job for '08"

Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!

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8:31 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 11, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

Examiner Reader said:
Trade Mora, Millar, Trachsel. Trade for Arod pay him and let him continue to be the best power hitter in baseball. Get the first baseman from Texas as soon as possible. One more starter and one relief pitcher. = winning season and some Oct. playing time.

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11:18 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 11, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

Examiner Reader said:
The first thing they should do is decide what kind of team they're going to be (which is what MacPhail presumably is doing now). Then they can trade Daniel Cabrera and Steve Trachsel. Next get rid of Miggy and Mora in the off-season. And then they can ship out a few of the other role players listed. I actually would keep Jay Payton for veteran leadership. They need to be smart.

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10:57 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 10, 2007 re: "Seasons of "What if""

Mr. Mirth Alert said:
Pfooey! The Orioles can win without Guerrero, A-Rod. or even Curt Schilling. Just start finding reasons to win, not excuses for losing. That's the mgr.'s job: to convince the team they're better than they are. But the crusty owner interprets that to mean they're better than he�& they are.

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9:51 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 10, 2007 re: "Seasons of "What if""

Examiner Reader said:
The four noisy people with HD? I guess i'll continue to watch a WINNING team in it's HD bliss!

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9:35 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it

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7:42 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
The Orioles is no longer a region team since the Nationals have come to Washington, DC, so what is the problem with Baltimore being on the road jersey. If it is a marketing issue the Orioles would profit from it and the fans would appreciate the recognition of the city and the team while on the road.

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7:25 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
Bring back the Baltimore road jersey!!! It would be a small concession to the fans that would go a long way to improving team relations under a dismal team win record. As for the "O's" caps; it is appropriate for a team that has been a bunch of zeros the past few years. Zero championships too.

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6:41 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
How is this even an issue? Everyone knows that the Orioles are from Baltimore. I hate baseball and i know where every team is from without seeing the city name before the team name. Save your energy for the topics that matter.

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6:25 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
Shouldn't the Orioles ownership be proud of the fact that they're from Baltimore? Put it back.

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