Adjustments thrust Joey Wiemer to Triple-A success, big league promotion

[Nate Karzmer]

JACKSONVILLE—In his own words, Joey Wiemer is "unorthodox."

Anybody who's seen as much as one swing from the tall, bulky outfielder would concur. Preluded by a funky routine in the on-deck circle, Wiemer utilizes an open, Tony Batista-esque stance. The also-awkward Hunter Pence is another influence on him, the 26-year-old tells Fish On First. 

Wiemer made his Miami Marlins debut during Sunday's victory over the Boston Red Sox, called up in a corresponding roster move when All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers was placed on the injured list.

A University of Cincinnati product, Wiemer was selected in the fourth round of the shortened 2020 MLB Draft by the Brewers. Back-to-back twenty-homer seasons between all levels of the minors propelled him from the #26 prospect in Milwaukee's system (per Baseball America) all the way up to #3 come Opening Day 2023.

Wiemer had previous stints in the big leagues with the Brewers (2023-24) and his hometown Reds ('24), combining for a .201/.279/.349 slash line with 13 home runs and a 125/38 K/BB ratio. Before being claimed off waivers by Miami on August 2, Wiemer endured a brutal first half with the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, OPS'ing .603 in 182 at-bats.

That made his stellar ten-game stint in Jacksonville all the more intriguing. Wiemer mashed to the tune of a 1.185 OPS with a significantly improved 8/7 K/BB split. He also became the first Jumbo Shrimp to take home International League Player of the Week honors following his first series in the navy blue and red on the back.

"There's been plenty of adjustments throughout the season. The last couple of weeks, I've felt really good." Wiemer said of his corrections since being in Jacksonville. "It's just a lot of correct swing decisions, doing damage with the ball, just playing the game the right way."

In an admittedly tiny sample, Wiemer was extremely disciplined, chasing only 13.8% of pitches outside of the strike zone. Also, his ground ball rate with Jacksonville (36.0 GB%) was lower than it had been with any previous MiLB affiliate.

"Whatever it takes to be successful, I'm here to put in the work every day, and things will play out," he added.

In addition to resembling Stowers in appearance, the two beach blonde-haired outfielders were evaluated similarly as prospects. MLB Pipeline gave 45-hit and 60-power grades to both players.

Wiemer was actually the more highly rated prospect overall because of his potential in the outfield and on the bases. A 55-grade fielder with a phenomenal 70-grade cannon of a right arm make the ex-Bearcat an interesting watch in a Marlins outfield that’s flashed fantastic defense all season. In 2023, Wiemer used his 60-grade speed to swipe 11 bags in the bigs.

The coaching of first-year Marlins Pedro Guerrero and Derek Shomon has significantly helped other players with high swing-and-miss—Stowers, Griffin Conine, etc.—so there is precedent to believe that Wiemer can build off his success as a Jumbo Shrimp. Just maybe, he will be the latest waiver wire pickup under Peter Bendix to emerge as a major league contributor.

 

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