If you just started watching baseball, you might wonder who Zack Wheeler is. If you already watch baseball, you might wonder how he went from being a prospect to a star pitcher. 

Here, we will discuss Zack Wheeler’s journey and recent updates about  him and his performance. We are here to answer all your questions. Let’s start by learning who Zack Wheeler is.

Who is The Zack Wheeler?

  What you need to know:

• Zach Wheeler is a professional baseball pitcher who was born in Smyrna, Georgia, on  May 30, 1990. 
• He plays for the Philadelphia Phillies, which is part of Major League Baseball (MLB).
• He has played for the New York Mets in the past, the San Francisco Giants, and now the Phillies.

Zack Wheeler’s Journey from a rookie to MLB star:

Here’s how he began his journey in baseball:

Early life and highschool:

• Zack Wheeler’s baseball journey started in his hometown of Smyrna, Georgia. 
• He attended East Paulding High School and was an exceptional pitcher, even at this young age. 
• By the time he was a senior, he was one of the top high school prospects in the country and eventually was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2009.

Selection and Minor League:

• He was selected in the first round of the MLB Draft with the 6th overall pick.
• Instead of attending college, Zac Wheeler grabbed the opportunity. 
• He began his professional career through minor leagues with the Giants, working to improve key pitching metrics like his WHIP.

Zack Wheeler’s Trade to the New York Mets:

• Zack Wheeler spent the early days of his career in the farm system until 2011 when he was traded in return for outfielder Carlos Beltrán by the Giants to the New York Mets.

MLB debut:

• At the young age of 23, he made his MLB debut with the Mets. 
• His pitching skills, which made him an exceptional prospect, coupled with those of Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, made a powerful pitching trio for the Mets.
• However, his form was interrupted by frequent injuries.

Overcoming Injuries:

• In 2015, Tommy John surgery caused him to miss the 2015 and most of 2016 seasons. 
• In 2018, despite all the setbacks, Zack Wheeler made it to the Mets, and by 2019, he was back in his form.

Journey to Philadelphia Phillies:

His determination, talent, and skills made him an asset for any team, making him a valuable commodity in free agency, which led to the Philadelphia Phillies signing him for a $118 million contract in December 2019.

Breakthrough:

• Since joining the Phillies, Zack Wheeler has become one of MLBA’s prominent pitchers. 
• His performance in the 2021 season was the highlight of his career. 
• Zack Wheeler’s strikeouts during the 2021 season led to him being considered for a Young Baseball Award.

Zack Wheeler’s achievements:

Zack has had various achievements throughout his career, some of which include:

MLB All-Star (2021):

• During his breakthrough season in 2021, Zack Wheeler won his first MLB All-Star award in honor of his exceptional pitching during the season.

NL Strikeout Leader (2021):

• He led the  National League in strikeouts with 247 in 2021, marking his spot as one of the best pitchers.

Zac Wheeler, Cy Young:

• In 2021, Zack Wheeler finished second in the voting, losing to the  Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals, making him a strong contender for the award.

Pitcher of the Month (July 2021):

• In 2021, he was named National League Pitcher of the Month in July due to his exceptional performances, including a complete game shootout.

What is the National League Cy Young Award:

• The National League Cy Young Award is an annual award given to the best pitchers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
• The Cy Young Pitches Award was established in 1956.
• It is named after Cy Young, a pitcher who has the record for the most career wins in the history of the MLB to date.

Process of selection of players:

• The players are selected based on their pitching performance, such as earned run average (ERA), wins, strikeouts, andstrikeouts, and  walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP). 
• They are voted upon by the members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). The Cy Young Award is an honor for a pitcher, highlighting his exceptional skills in pitching in the league.

His recent Baseball statistics:

Here are zack wheelers current baseball statistics as of 2024.

• ERA (Earned Run Average): 3.17
• W/L Record: 12-7
• Innings Pitched (IP): 190.2
• Strikeouts (SO): 216
• Walks (BB): 54

WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched): 1.11

Professional Opinion on Zack Wheeler’s Performance:

Here’s what professionals have to say about him:

Tom Verducci (Sports Illustrated, 2022)

“Zack Wheeler’s fastball is one of the best in baseball because of the life it has late in the zone. It jumps on hitters, and his ability to command it on both sides of the plate makes him an elite pitcher.”

Source: sports illustrated

Joe Girardi (Philadelphia Phillies Manager, 2021)

“He’s one of the best in the game. His stuff is electric, and he competes as well as anyone I’ve seen. He just attacks hitters.”

source:The Athletic

Dave Dombrowski (Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations, 2021)

“Wheeler has been a huge part of our success. What he’s been able to do for us on a consistent basis is remarkable. He’s a workhorse and a leader on this staff.”

Source:MLB.com

Conclusion:

Zack Wheeler started his career as a high schooler at a young age and has come a long way since then. First, he became a valuable prospect due to his exceptional pitching skills and eventually made his MLB debut, now being an award-winning MLB star. Zack continues to be an inspiration for young baseball aspirants both on and off the field.

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