2011: Matt Wieters' Breakout Year

The end of the year also marks our 6-month anniversary at Goose Creek Patch. Over the next two weeks we'll be looking back at some of the big stories in our community since our launch. See more at Goose Creek Patch 2011.

Baltimore Orioles fans have expected big things from Stratford High grad Matt Wieters. In 2011, he proved his worth and then some.

The ballclub drafted the catcher in 2007 and he played his first game in Baltimore in 2009. In the past year, Wieters is now all-but irreplaceable in the Orioles' lineup.

At midseason, not long after Patch launched, .

Team Manager Ron Washington told the Baltimore Sun that he could have picked a different Oriole, but that Wieters was having an outstanding year.

"There's not many catchers out there with the ability and the quality that this kid has," Washington said. "I don't believe this will be his only All-Star Game."

At that point, Wieters had seven homeruns and 33 RBIs. By the end of the season, he had more than doubled his RBIs, with 68. And , a personal best. He was also the youngest catcher in Orioles franchise history to reach the 20 HR mark.

in October and he in early November.

"I’m honored to be in the same class as the other great catchers in the game defensively," Wieters said at the time. "It’s an honor for sure. I’m very blessed to be able to win the award this early in my career."