Rick Wieters

Richard Francis Wieters

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 220 lb.
• School The Citadel

• Born February 26, 1955 in Charleston, SC USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

The father of Matt Wieters and brother-in-law of Mike Shields, Richard Wieters pitched professionally for five years, reaching AA. He had a record of 26-31 in pro ball.

Wieters was picked in the 5th round of the 1977 amateur draft by the Atlanta Braves after being a two-way star in college. He split the year between the Kingsport Braves (4-3, 3.68) and Savannah Braves (1 R in 3 IP). He was 10th in the Appalachian League in ERA and tied two other hurlers for the lead in shutouts (2). He was dominant in 12 starts for the 1978 Greenwood Braves, going 8-2 with a 1.67 ERA (though with a 3.34 RA). Returning to Savannah, he went 1 for 3 with a double at the plate and was 5-5 with a 2.77 ERA on the mound for a 13-7 record that year. He did walk 55 in 91 innings for Savannah, continuing his trend of iffy control.

In 1979, Richard was 3 for 3 with a double for Savannah. Starting 11 games and relieving in 25, he was 4-6 with 4 saves and a 3.99 ERA, with 68 BB in 115 IP. On December 3, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Bill Nahorodny.

Wieters struggled with the Glens Falls White Sox in 1980, going 5-12 with one save and a 5.32 ERA with 80 BB and 158 hits allowed in 132 IP while striking out 43. He again hit well, going 1 for 3. He returned to Glens Falls in 1981 and improved somewhat, with a 4.50 ERA, 0-3 record and 2 saves in 31 games. He walked 51 in 100 IP. An article in 2007 says that Wieters regretted not getting a chance as a position player. As he was 5 for 9 at the plate with AA, this sounds like a rational regret.

Sources: 1978-1982 Baseball Guides, Article on the Wieters family's baseball ties