Biographical

Portrait of Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler PPhillies

Phillies Player Cards | Phillies Team Audit | Phillies Depth Chart

2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 29)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date5-30-1990
Height6' 4"
Weight195 lbs
Age33 years, 10 months, 26 days
BatsL
ThrowsR
2015
2016
0.32017
4.82018
0.82019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2013 NYN MLB 17 17 100.0 7 5 0 90 46 84 10 97 8.1 4.1 0.9 7.6 0% .279 1.36 4.14 3.42 109 4.10 98.2 1.0
2014 NYN MLB 32 32 185.3 11 11 0 167 79 187 14 97 8.1 3.8 0.7 9.1 0% .304 1.33 3.52 3.54 91 2.98 73.1 4.2
2017 NYN MLB 17 17 86.3 3 7 0 97 40 81 15 94 10.1 4.2 1.6 8.4 48% .332 1.59 5.05 5.21 103 5.30 112.8 0.3
2018 NYN MLB 29 29 182.3 12 7 0 150 55 179 14 87 7.4 2.7 0.7 8.8 46% .279 1.12 3.21 3.31 89 3.01 67.2 4.8
2019 NYN MLB 31 31 195.3 11 8 0 196 50 195 22 97 9.0 2.3 1.0 9.0 45% .312 1.26 3.43 3.96 85 3.80 77.9 4.2
CareerMLB126126749.34438070027072675948.43.20.98.748%.3001.293.683.77933.6280.814.5

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2010 AUG A SAL 21 13 58.7 3 3 0 47 38 70 0 86 7.2 5.8 0.0 10.7 0% .320 1.45 3.44 3.99 0 0.00 0.0
2011 SJO A+ CAL 16 16 88.0 7 5 0 74 47 98 7 94 7.6 4.8 0.7 10.0 0% .293 1.38 4.48 3.99 97 4.13 84.3
2011 SLU A+ FSL 6 6 27.0 2 2 0 26 5 31 0 107 8.7 1.7 0.0 10.3 0% .361 1.15 1.85 2.00 63 3.35 68.4
2012 BIN AA EAS 19 19 116.0 10 6 0 92 43 117 2 102 7.1 3.3 0.2 9.1 0% .299 1.16 2.80 3.26 81 3.79 79.0
2012 BUF AAA INT 6 6 33.0 2 2 0 23 16 31 2 102 6.3 4.4 0.5 8.5 0% .250 1.18 3.61 3.27 96 3.83 79.8
2013 NYN MLB NL 17 17 100.0 7 5 0 90 46 84 10 97 8.1 4.1 0.9 7.6 0% .279 1.36 4.14 3.42 109 4.10 98.2
2013 LVG AAA PCL 13 13 68.7 4 2 0 61 27 73 9 107 8.0 3.5 1.2 9.6 0% .289 1.28 4.41 3.93 97 3.42 74.3
2014 NYN MLB NL 32 32 185.3 11 11 0 167 79 187 14 97 8.1 3.8 0.7 9.1 0% .304 1.33 3.52 3.54 91 2.98 73.1
2016 SLU A+ FSL 1 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 97 0.0 9.0 0.0 0.0 33% .000 1.00 6.25 0.00 117 3.98 87.9
2017 NYN MLB NL 17 17 86.3 3 7 0 97 40 81 15 94 10.1 4.2 1.6 8.4 48% .332 1.59 5.05 5.21 103 5.30 112.8
2018 NYN MLB NL 29 29 182.3 12 7 0 150 55 179 14 87 7.4 2.7 0.7 8.8 46% .279 1.12 3.21 3.31 89 3.01 67.2
2018 LVG AAA PCL 1 1 5.0 1 0 0 3 1 6 1 131 5.4 1.8 1.8 10.8 55% .200 0.80 4.54 1.80 90 2.90 61.4
2019 NYN MLB NL 31 31 195.3 11 8 0 196 50 195 22 97 9.0 2.3 1.0 9.0 45% .312 1.26 3.43 3.96 85 3.80 77.9

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2013 1720 0.4959 0.4453 0.7833 0.6331 0.2607 0.8426 0.6416 0.2167
2014 3290 0.4809 0.4380 0.7481 0.6176 0.2717 0.8127 0.6121 0.2519
2017 1627 0.5101 0.4542 0.7808 0.6470 0.2535 0.8380 0.6287 0.2192
2018 2876 0.4986 0.4809 0.7505 0.6471 0.3155 0.8222 0.6044 0.2495
2019 3155 0.5204 0.5030 0.7694 0.6748 0.3166 0.8150 0.6639 0.2306
Career126680.50050.46700.76290.64440.28900.82270.62940.2371

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2013-04-10 - Minors - - Right Fingers Blister Middle Finger - -
2013-02-24 2013-03-18 Camp 22 0 Right Abdomen Strain Oblique - -
2012-03-22 2012-04-04 Camp 13 0 Left Ankle Sprain - -
2010-05-19 2010-07-07 Minors 49 0 Right Fingers Tear Fingernail -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2027 PHI $42,000,000
2026 PHI $42,000,000
2025 PHI $42,000,000
2024 PHI $23,500,000
2023 PHI $24,500,000
2022 PHI $26,000,000
2021 PHI $22,500,000
2020 PHI $21,500,000
2019 NYN $5,975,000
2018 NYN $
2017 NYN $800,000
2016 NYN $546,250
2015 NYN $546,250
2014 NYN $512,375
2013 NYN $
YearsDescriptionSalary
9 yrPrevious$102,879,875
2019Current$23,500,000
10 yrPvs + Cur$126,379,875
3 yrFuture$126,000,000
13 yrTotal$252,379,875

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
10 y 98 dWasserman5 years/$118M (2020-24)

Details
  • 3 years/$126M (2025-27). Signed extension with Philadelphia 3/4/24. 25:$42M, 26:$42M, 27:$42M. Perks: hotel suite on road trips. Wheeler to donate $100,000 annually to club charity.
  • 5 years/$118M (2020-24). Signed by Philadelphia as a free agent 12/9/19. 20:$21.5M, 21:$22.5M, 22:$26M, 23:$24.5M, 24:$23.5M.
  • 1 year/$5.975M (2019). Re-signed by NY Mets 1/11/19 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$1.9M (2018). Won arbitration with NY Mets 2/8/18 ($1.9M-$1.5M).
  • 1 year/$800,000 (2017). Re-signed by NY Mets 1/11/17 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$546,250 (2016). Re-signed by NY Mets 3/4/16.
  • 1 year/$546,250 (2015). Re-signed by NY Mets 3/5/15.
  • 1 year/$512,375 (2014). Re-signed by NY Mets 3/3/14.
  • 1 year (2013). Contract purchased by NY Mets 11/20/12. Re-signed by NY Mets 3/3/13.
  • Acquired by NY Mets in trade from San Francisco 7/28/11 (Beltran deal).
  • Drafted by San Francisco 2009 (1-6) (East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga.). Signed 8/17/09, $3.3M signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
Weighted Mean?????0.0?00?.0000.000.00?0.00.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Zack Wheeler

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2019-10-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Zack Wheeler feels like a future Cub to me. Your thoughts? Ayyyyyyyy!
(The Fonz from Milwaukee)
This implies they'd be willing to spend money on the roster. Ayyyyyyyy!

But seriously, they're dropping ~$32 million between Hamels and Zobrist. That gives them some flexibility but they need to address the lineup spot that Castellanos filled and Kris Bryant is going to get a bump from his Arb 2 salary of $12.9 million. Probably a substantial one. Wheeler might fit the tier of guy they want, but I'm guessing they're going to have around $25 million to spend on that rotation spot, the outfield spot, and some bullpen pieces combined. Might be a tight fit. (Craig Goldstein)
2019-10-04 14:15:00 (link to chat)If Zack Wheeler accepts the QO, and the Mets prefer the spend the $16MM elsewhere, would that contract have any trade value and if so, how much?
(Marcus from Long Island)
Sure, although not a ton given his injury history and the sole year of control. Mets would probably be better off using it to leverage a 3 or 4 year deal at a lower AAV. But frankly they should be fine getting him on the QO. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2019-05-31 13:00:00 (link to chat)I have a need for pitching and too many bench hitters who shouldn't be on the bench....ie Amed Rosario. I want to trade Ohtani for SP help. Can you please offer 5 targets? David Price? And who?
(Vic from Baltimore)
You'll need to add another piece, but Gerrit Cole should be a target. Walker Buehler. I'd be inquiring on Zack Wheeler and Eduardo Rodriguez. I'm also buying Frankie Montas's early-season breakout. (J.P. Breen)
2019-04-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)I have been offered Jon Gray for Zack Wheeler. Should I accept? Thanks
(Ed from Cranford, NJ)
[looks at Wheeler's last start] maybe not (Craig Goldstein)
2019-02-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)Please name 5 players outside the Top 100 most likely to be Top 50 in 2020. I am thinking of Peraza and......
(Vic from Baltimore)
I've been pretty happy with Peraza's progression. Last season was a nice surprise. I'd expect Victor Robles to shoot up this list heading into next season, same goes for Eloy Jimenez. Josh Donaldson is currently 102 per NFBC ADP, so that's another obvious one. A few less heralded names though: Rougned Odor, Amed Rosario, Zack Wheeler and Daniel Murphy in Coors (which is now legally his new name). (Mark Barry)
2018-09-18 19:00:00 (link to chat)Who do you think the next starter is to make the Aaron Nola type jump to the elites?
(Vinny from TN)
Great question. Nola wasn't exactly chopped liver in 2017, so if you're using him as a comp then you're looking for that kind of pitcher - someone who would o from being very good to top shelf. Zack Wheeler and Mike Foltynewicz are the names that jump off the page. Wheeler was great in the second half and looks like he harnessed his off-speed offerings. Folty could take a step forward with more control. (Mike Gianella)
2017-03-09 20:00:00 (link to chat)TTO, Which of these would you bite on in a BL 18-20 team league as comeback potential for 2017: Wacha, Shelby Miller, Zack Wheeler, Luis Severino, Alex Wood? Any other once good/promising young SP that you see as a reasonable high variance target?
(jtwalsh from Northport NY)

Ian: Shelby Miller is probably where I'd start since his velocity is ticking back up and he was basically fine (if overrated) before his velo dipped; I'd probably put Severino next. We do tend to like this category of player and I have hope for all of them. Part of the departure from our Mock Draft pick (Wheeler ahead of all the others) is that Miller looks good in Spring Training and Wheeler seems actively hurt, which we'd like to avoid.
Ben: Yeah, these guys are totally my jam. I think I'd probably say Wheeler until Ian corrects me just because he seems like he had a bunch of talent before and I was thinking he was going to recover. Caveats apply wherein I am not as up to speed on the Spring Training happenings, so as with all things, trust Ian. (Ben Murphy, Ian Lefkowitz and Jared Weiss)
2016-11-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)Braves fan here. So Zack Wheeler is from Atlanta and the Braves need some SP. Wheeler seems like the perfect guy for us to target- has a lot of upside and can be bought low as he hasn't pitched in two years. What would it take to get him?
(Perry from Braves)
I have no idea if Wheeler even throws a pitch in 2017. Seems like an awful lot of risk to take on, and the Mets probably aren't in the mood to sell that low, especially since their starting pitching depth is a mess right now. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2015-10-22 14:00:00 (link to chat)As far as pitchers coming off of Tommy John, what becomes of Zack Wheeler? The Mets were willing to move him at the deadline for a controlled player, will they still consider that? That rotation will be fearsome with or without him.
(Danny from Chicago)
I think they're going to trade Harvey this winter, not Wheeler. It's what I'd do. Harvey is now a 3+ guy with Boras for an agent, with TJ on the resume, gonna get very expensive this winter. I'm not enamored. Wheeler is just a decent mid-rotation guy, but that's all they need behind deGrom and Syndergaard. (Matthew Trueblood)
2015-01-20 19:30:00 (link to chat)Hey Ben, what do you make of the Mets SS situation? Obviously they've been connected to every SS that has even remotely become available, but is there any chance Flores can become the answer or will he always just be a stopgap?
(Grizzly from Chicago)
I like Flores' hit tool and think he can pass as a first-division 2B. He's not going to be a good defensive SS ever, though, so as long as he plays there you're going to hear rumors about the Mets finding a replacement. I don't think Desmond or Tulo are happening, but I do wonder if they can't make a deal work with Texas for Andrus or Profar. If not, they should totally give Zack Wheeler to the Red Sox for Deven Marrero, imo. (Ben Carsley)
2015-02-13 19:00:00 (link to chat)Who are a couple hitters and pitchers you see breaking out this year? Thoughts on Bogaerts?
(Jobu from Cerrano's locker)
I like George Springer coming through and meeting a lot of the potential/hype we were looking at last year. Oswaldo Arcia is a boom/bust proposition this year, but if he can even get the average to .250 there is a lot of power there. For pitchers, I think Zack Wheeler takes a big step forward this year and I also like Drew Smyly joining Cobb as a big impact guy for the Rays.

I'm closer to Ben Carsley on Bogaerts than I am to the negative nellies. I see some improvement this year, with 15-17 home runs and a .260-.270 average a realistic expectation. I agree with Ben and think the breakout comes in 2016 or 2017. (Mike Gianella)
2015-01-21 15:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Doug, thanks for doing the chat. Who is your top pick for a pitcher who is mechanically sound byt have yet put together a career season? I don't mind two or more candidate if you have them in mind.
(Jim from Seattle)
I'm still waiting for Eovaldi to iron out his timing and find consistency. He is real close to being a great pitcher, but small mistakes could get punished in NYY.

Zack Wheeler is in a similar boat, in that timing is the last thing that he needs to figure out, but that can take awhile.

I think that Cashner is also ready to take a big step forward. (Doug Thorburn)
2014-10-23 14:00:00 (link to chat)Do you ever see Zack Wheeler finally getting his timing right and achieving his cathedral ceiling? Or will he settle in as what he is now as a mid rotation guy.
(Jarred from Queens)
I'm not so sure that his ceiling is a cathedral, but timing can click (or unravel) at any time, and he is young enough that the hourglass is still above the point of optimism. I really like the delivery and he is refining his stuff to play at the highest level, and I think that he is ultimately a no. 2 starter who can tease ace-like qualities when everything is clicking. (Doug Thorburn)
2014-07-28 19:00:00 (link to chat)Think Zack Wheeler turn into a future cy young candidate? His splits so far are nearly identical to what verlander's were through the same number of starts. Also to my (non-scout) eye, there is a very strong resemblance in terms of raw stuff
(Dick Grande from St Louis)
Verlander went deeper into games even at that age. Cy Young candidate can mean a couple different things, either a front runner or someone receiving votes. Looking up and down the cavalcade of NL pitching, jeez there's a lot of good pitching. Don't think he ever fits in with the elite crowd, but a one-time top 10 vote-getter wouldn't be a bad thing. (Matt Sussman)
2014-07-28 19:00:00 (link to chat)If the mets make a trade with the cubs in the offseason, what would it take for the cubs to add wheeler and either degrom, gee, or niese? Would Castro and Vogelbach be enough? Thanks for the chat and keep up the hard work!
(Christophe Kristofferson from Chicago)
Two Zack Wheeler questions in a row; the trifecta is in play! Well I guess the Mets have a lot of pitching; I wouldn't flip one of them to get a good first baseman. Now if they look bleak at shortstop, then maybe they can peddle one of those starters for Starlin Castro to shore up the position for the next five years. (Matt Sussman)
2014-06-26 14:00:00 (link to chat)Can you help us make sense of Zack Wheeler?
(Shawn from Cubicle)
Zack Wheeler has gotten a lot of play because his peripherals look great. He's striking out guys, his ground-ball rate is solid, and he's carrying a 3.28 FIP. That's led to many - including myself - call him a "buy low" candidate. However, he needs to figure out how to handle lefties. He has a 12.4% walk rate against lefties, and they're hitting .295/.384/.418 on the season. Until he can corral opposite-handed pitching, his overall numbers won't be as attractive as his peripherals. (J.P. Breen)
2014-06-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who are some good buy lows/sell highs right now?
(The Dude from Office)
That's really difficult bc no one is falling for, say Chisenhall for Chris Davis. I think you could realistically sell high on Jose Abreu. I think you can get a discount on Homer Bailey, David Price, Bartolo Colon, and Zack Wheeler. And of course Verlander, too, but that one is a bit riskier. (Paul Sporer)
2014-05-15 20:00:00 (link to chat)Fastball command was cited by several BP authors as an area for Zack Wheeler to improve this season. Is that your take on his present run of woeful starts? Short sample caveat aside. Thanks.
(mike from Ottawa)
Yes, that's really been the crux of his problems in the past. I think he can get past it, but he's going to struggle more than he should until he gets to that point. (Bret Sayre)
2014-05-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)Wins, I know, but who gets more of them from this point until the end of time: CC Sabathia, Zack Wheeler, Archie Bradley, Ryan Vogelsong?
(Wandy from Wandyland)
Bradley, Wheeler, Sabathia, Vogelsong.

146, 139, 34, 19 (Zachary Levine)
2014-04-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)Enjoyed your article on Zack Wheeler today! Do you still see him as a future top of the rotation arm?
(Shawn from Office)
Thank you. On that topic, Nick Wheatley-Schaller deserves a lot of credit. He's very talented.

With Wheeler, it's just a matter of whether he can improve upon his command. The stuff is there to become a no. 2 starter. He just needs to tighten things up. So yeah, he's got a chance. (R.J. Anderson)
2014-05-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Jon Gray... even though he'll start half of his games in Coors, I am still valuing him on par with someone like a Zack Wheeler. Is that in the ballpark? too high? too low?
(Sara from Tacoma)
I love Gray and I think he has the arsenal to maintain success in Coors. I think putting him on a Wheeler level is correct. Obviously the big question is when do we see Gray, but he's one of the brightest prospects in the game. (Paul Sporer)
2014-03-14 09:00:00 (link to chat)I have Gerrit Cole and Zack Wheeler in option years in NL only league. Cole at $15 and Wheeler at $10. Do I add 1 year for $5, 2 years at $10, or keep this year only at this price? I'm thinking adding 2 years to Cole at $25 and 1 extra year on Wheeler at $15. thoughts?
(krrtaa from South Jersey)
I'm more conservative with contracts than some are. I would option both. Kris Medlen is example #4,279 of why giving pitchers contracts often blows up in our faces. My rule of thumb for pitcher contracts is anything over $15 in a $260 budget league is assuming too much risk. And while Wheeler would fit that at $15, I don't see him at the level (yet) where he's earned that kind of extension. Cole's a special pitcher, so I get the temptation to go $20. But I would resist that temptation. (Mike Gianella)
2014-02-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)What do you think this year holds for Zack Wheeler?
(MetsFaithful5 from Syracuse )
I think he will have a nice season. I'm very excited for him. Not quite Harvey 2013 of course, but a strong season. (Paul Sporer)
2014-02-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)It's raining here too, but the ski slopes are really hoping it turns to snow. Please rank the following pitchers in order of expected career value: Archer, Cole, Sonny Gray, Wacha, Shelby Miller, Teheran, Zack Wheeler. I expect that one or more of them will be available for my first round pick in my Strat-O-Matic league rookie draft tomorrow.
(Rex Little from Big Bear CA)
Interesting list. Gimme Cole, (gap), Teheran, (gap), Miller, Gray, Wacha, Wheeler (all very close), Archer (Doug Thorburn)
2014-01-29 19:00:00 (link to chat)Can Dominic Smith be in the top 101 next year and will Syndergaard be better in the long term compared to Zack Wheeler? Thanks and goodluck at BP!
(MetsFaithful5 from Syracuse)
I like Wheeler better than Syndergaard, which is more of a compliment to the former than an insult to the latter. I'm not a huge Smith guy. I want to see the power develop before I put a 1B prospect in the Top 100. (Ben Carsley)
2014-01-29 19:00:00 (link to chat)What do you see in prospects Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero of the Mets? How will they fair in an up and coming rotation that already has an ace in Matt Harvey and a young stud in Dan Wheeler? Will the Mets have the best starting rotation in the NL East in the next couple of years?
(Eric R. from North Carolina)
Matt Harvey > Zack Wheeler > Noah Syndergaard > Rafael Montero >>> Dan Wheeler (Ben Carsley)
2014-01-29 19:00:00 (link to chat)Do you still believe that Zack Wheeler can be an ace?
(MetsFaithful5 from Syracuse )
No. Good No. 2 in his prime with a lot of strikeouts. Doesn't have the command to be a No.1 (Ben Carsley)
2014-01-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)Does Zack Wheeler still have a chance to be an ace? Looking at his numbers last year, they don't look that impressive.
(MetsFaithful5 from Syracuse)
No, Zach Wheeler will not be an ace. That's not the industry consensus, as he has the stuff that every pitcher wants, but I don't believe in the command or the control. He doesn't throw enough strikes and the ones he does throw aren't in the right spots. The New York hype machine was in full effect comparing him to Harvey last season, but that's not fair to Wheeler. I think the control ultimately holds him back. He should be a solid starter because he'll miss enough bats to overcome it, but if he doesn't significantly cut back on the free passes, which is tough to do at this level with a track record as deep as his, he won't be an ace. (Jeff Moore)
2014-01-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Zack Wheeler still have a chance at being an ace?
(MetsFaithful5 from Upstate, New York)
there's still a chance. Not sure on the probability, though. I still really like Wheeler and envision him as a nice #2 in that rotation. (Craig Goldstein)
2013-12-10 18:00:00 (link to chat)Any SPs you think will breakout in 2014?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)
I have been down on him for years, but I think this might be the year that Jeff Samardzija puts it all together and finally becomes a solid #2 at the very least. If he gets the innings, Danny Salazar is another guy I really like; he could strike out a batter an inning with some pretty nice overall numbers. Zack Wheeler is another candidate. This is a guy where you should ignore the peripherals (FIP, FRA, etc.) and look at the ability. Wheeler is a potential stud. Maybe I'm a year off on him, but keep in mind that some scouts liked him better than Matt Harvey when he came up. That doesn't mean that Wheeler will be 2013 Harvey good (that's silly), but he could be a pretty fine pitcher in his own right. (Mike Gianella)
2013-12-20 14:00:00 (link to chat)Two questions actually... 1) Does Matt Harvey's profile (arsenal and mechanical profile) suggest that following a [successful] TJS surgery, he can repeat or put up a comparable line in a future season? 2) Harvey's teammate Zack Wheeler has oft been compared to Harvey (sometimes favorably!). I've noticed that his strengths seem to be a better arsenal than Harvey, but less command/control than Harvey. Is this something you see him improving, or is Harvey just that much better that Wheeler will never match his "older brother?"
(Sara from Tacoma)
1) Asking anyone to put up a line like Harvey's 2013 is a tall order, but he has all of the mechanical and stuff baselines to rediscover the magic if he comes back to 100% following TJS. He kept getting better throughout his development, which bodes extremely well for his ability to come back and make any necessary adjustments. 2) Wheeler has a bright future, but he is not in Harvey's class IMO. I prefer Harvey's stuff as well as his mechanics, and a lack of repetition is what often separates the what from the chaff in the bigs.

On the jukebox: Led Zeppelin, "Bring It On Home" (Doug Thorburn)
2013-11-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who has a more realistic chance at being a top end number two starter in the big leagues between Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler? Noah has a bigger, stronger body, while zack is more of a lean John Maine type body he never could remain healthy)
(MetsFaithful5 from Upstate NY)
I'm partial to Wheeler here. I think his stuff is a little more electric and will ultimately play a little bit higher than Syndergaard's. I expect both to be excellent MLB starters, though. (Mark Anderson)
2013-10-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Zack Wheeler for Price straight up, who says no and why?
(dcapofari from NY)
That's putting a lot of faith in Wheeler. It's a very good start and a very nice return, but it depends if the Rays would rather go big on the quantity or the quality. I'd rather have a deeper package than a straight one/one trade, especially when my trade chip is a former Cy Young winning lefty. (Jason Parks)
2013-09-27 13:00:00 (link to chat)By 2015, Noah Syndergaard will be _____ than Zack Wheeler and ______ than Matt Harvey?
(Peter from NY)
I'll go worse and better, but that's misleading. I think Wheeler's time in MLB this year will give him a leg up throughout 2014 and into 2015; an advantage Syndergaard could overcome by the end of 2015, thereby surpassing Wheeler at that point. With Harvey, I'm still convinced he goes under the knife so if we assume Syndergaard is on the mound in the big leagues at the end of 2014 and Harvey is rehabbing, then I'd have to say he's "better" at that point, but now I'm just playing with words and probably getting myself in trouble. Let's just say that's a tremendous rotation. (Mark Anderson)
2013-09-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)Will the mets ever win another world series? Thanks
(Sd from Queens)
I don't think my crystal ball is quite that good. I will say that I'm rooting like hell for a Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard 1-2-3 rotation punch in a couple years. Let's hope Harvey comes back 100% and the other two stay healthy, because how fun would that be? (Jason Cole)
2013-08-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)When the season's over,Noah Syndergaard will climb up the charts like Zack Wheeler did.Right ?
(Spirou from Montreal)
Already covered Syndergaard on here, but we ranked him #23 on our mid-season top 50 (and #28 coming into this season), so there's not much more room to move up. He'll climb though. (Jason Cole)
2013-07-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Have you been able to catch Zack Wheeler? Is he really nearly as good as Harvey? At least potentially?
(smitty99 from Federal Way, WA)
They are pretty far apart, but that has a lot to do with Harvey's continued improvement. I like Wheeler fine, and he has a bunch of above-average grades on his mechanics report card (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=21072), but he lacks the release distance and the timing consistency of Harvey. Wheeler also has a very soft glove-side near release point. Repetition of mechanical timing is what separates the cream from the chaff, and in this case, the Harvey's from the Wheeler's. (Doug Thorburn)
2013-06-25 13:00:00 (link to chat)Where would you put Zack Wheeler on this list?
(mikeyurk from CT)
Easy top 10 (Jason Parks on the Midseason Top 50 Prospects)
2013-06-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Should I trade Gerrit Cole or Zack Wheeler for Cole Hamels in keeper points league, where I have no chance to compete this season? And if I should, who I better keep (trade partner agrees for anyone) in the team - Cole or Wheeler?
(navarra from Ukraine)
Not if you're out of it. I love Hamels, but keep the upside of your young studs instead. I might trade Cole or Wheeler for a hot hitter since hitters are a bit more certain. (Paul Sporer)
2013-06-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Justin Upton for Zack Wheeler and Puig. Dynasty.
(Max from Toronto)
That's a nice trade. I think I'd want the J-Up side, but both are completely fair. (Paul Sporer)
2013-06-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)I traded Michael Pineda, Erasmo Ramirez, my first rounder (the 1-15 at new owners best, 1-20 if I finish in first) in a prospect draft, and all my FAAB all for Zack Wheeler. This is a 20-team dynasty. I know it was a steep price, but if I am making a run for it this year, worth it, right?
(AJ from Phoenix)
That's REALLY steep. You need Wheeler to perform pretty well this year. I probably wouldn't have done that. You might not be happy with it until next year. (Paul Sporer)
2013-06-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Where would you rank Zack Wheeler among starters for the rest of the season?
(Matt from London)
No idea. Not ALL that high. I'm terrible with just eyeballing these things, but maybe in the 80-100 range? I usually play it safe with rooks bc the safe bet is failure or at least not overwhelming success initially. (Paul Sporer)
2013-05-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Archie Bradley: Top pitching prospect in baseball?
(Liam from TX)
We are quick to discount/promote players based on small samples. Here's the truth: Bradley should have been ranked higher coming into this season, and he's certainly making a very good case for the top spot at his position, but its not like Taijuan Walker or Zack Wheeler or even Gerrit Cole have fallen on their faces or regressed. I'll explore this in more detail when we produce the mid-season Top 50, but its hard to say right now. Bradley will be in the Top 10; I guarantee that. Will he be the top arm? Not sure yet. (Jason Parks)
2013-05-10 14:00:00 (link to chat)Odds Zack Wheeler is a perennial cy young candidate?
(bobert from north hills)
I really like Wheeler from the standpoint of both stuff and mechanics, but the odds are low of anybody becoming a perennial CY candidate. I will say that he probably has a high floor, but whether he ultimately becomes an ace or more of a #2 depends on how he adjusts to major league hitters. (Doug Thorburn)
2013-04-30 12:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think that Luis Mateo has the ceiling of a No.2 starter? He seems to have the stuff. Also, do you think that the slight inverted W in Zack Wheeler's delivery should be a cause for concern?
(Sean from NY)
Ceiling? Sure. He's got two premium offerings. Whether he reaches that ceiling depends on how his changeup and command/control develop. Doug Thorburn can answer the second question better than I. (R.J. Anderson)
2013-03-28 13:00:00 (link to chat)Zack Wheeler: top prospect to be called up Juneish? How do you see him fairing in the big leagues this year?
(Marissa from TX)
He could be ready before then -- I think he'll probably take some lumps, but the stuff is so good he could hit the ground running and I wouldn't be shocked. (Nick Faleris)
2013-02-26 14:00:00 (link to chat)Your take on Zack Wheeler's debut ? I thouhgt he was very good although command was a bit off.Fasball looks faster than the radar gun readings.
(Spirou from Montreal)
Thanks for kicking us off, Spirou.

I wouldn't put too much stock into an early-spring outing, but to the very small extent that results matter, it's tough to argue with two shutout innings. Minor command problems in late February are not a concern. The thing to watch with Wheeler will be the polish of his changeup; once he gets that third pitch in order, he'll be ready to succeed in the majors. (Daniel Rathman)
2013-02-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Jose Fernandez is to Martin Cove as Zack Wheeler is to ______.
(Moose from saranac lake, ny)
Tom Selleck (Jason Parks)
2013-02-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Realistic chance that Zack Wheeler becomes an ace ? And can you see Travis D being a top 5 catcher in baseball?
(MetsFaithful5 from Upstate New York)
Ace? Unlikely. Front-end starter type? Quite possible.

I can see d'Arnaud becoming a very good major leaguer and possible all-star (Jason Parks)
2013-01-16 13:30:00 (link to chat)Other than Profar, Taveras, Myers and Bundy whom I anticipate ranking in the top 5 of most top prospect lists, who are the remaining top 3-5 offensive and SP prospects in the minors?
(Brian from Worcester MA)
On the pitching side you're looking at guys like Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Jose Fernandez and Jameson Taillon fitting in that top group. Of the position players, Byron Buxton, Travis d'Arnaud, Xander Bogaerts, and Francisco Lindor fit the bill. (Mark Anderson)
2012-12-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)Which player will develop into the better pitcher: Taijuan Walker or Gerrit Cole or Zack Wheeler?
(Kai from SLO)
Wheeler. I was impressed with what I saw from him this year. Electric, four pitch arsenal and the knowledge of how to use it. The other arms are very, very good, but I'm a Wheeler guy. (Chris Mellen)
2013-01-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Which starter would you rather build your rotation around and why? Zack Wheeler, Gerrit Cole or Taijuan Walker
(Kai from SLO)
Give me Cole simply because of the louder stuff and prototypical build. Could chance he'll be able to rack up innings and even if he loses some effectiveness due to an easy to track arm, the stuff is good enough to be effective at a mid-rotation level. (Nick Faleris)
2012-12-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)We all know Sandy Alderson came to the Mets with a distinguished track record. But what has he really done for the organization other than get Zack Wheeler? Its been an incredibly frustrating three years with him signing terrible free agents and the major league team getting worse. Why does no one from the sports media hold him accountable?
(Howard from Freeport, ME)
Talked about this a little on the PRODcast last night, actually.

I think Alderson is a really, really smart baseball guy. The Katz/Wilpons are the reason he gets a pass from me, and I suspect from the MSM. If there were a legitimate ownership in place, I think we'd see a different on-field product.

I think that as long as that ownership is in place, Alderson will get the benefit of the doubt. (Ian Miller)
2012-11-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Wondering how the Giants keep winning titles with such a mediocre farm system? The are never ranked very high and they never sign the big free agent guys. What gives?
(Paul Reiger from Bay)
The most precise answer is the draft. Their farm systems haven't ranked high because their top draft picks since 2006 -- Lincecum, Bumgarner, Posey -- haven't spent a lot of time in the minors. . John Barr has done a good job, especially considering he's not simply the domestic scouting director but the one who oversees the international front, too. Barr's first draft was 2008 (Posey, Crawford, Surkamp), but in '09 he drafted Zack Wheeler (traded for Carlos Beltran), Tommy Joseph (traded n the deal to land Hunter Pence) and Belt. Brian Wilson and Sergio Romo were also draftees. Romo a 28th rounder in 2005.

It also helps that Bruce Bochy runs a goldilocks clubhouse and they have leaders (Posey, Pence, Wilson) that don't allow things to crumble. (Jason A. Churchill)
2012-06-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)Should someone in SF be fired for trading Zack Wheeler and not even re-signing Beltran? How good is Wheeler, really?
(Bmurphy428 from Syracuse NY)
I'm not mad at that trade. It looks terrible because they missed the playoffs, but they didn't miss the playoffs because of Beltran; it was a series of unforeseeable injuries to everybody from Lou Seal on down that hurt them. It was aggressive to trade Wheeler, maybe too aggressive, but they had 90-percent playoff odds when they made the trade and would be pretty smug right now if Beltran had carried them to the World Series, obviously.

Re-signing him would have been great, but you could say that 29 other teams should have signed him and all failed to this winter. It's not really relevant to the Wheeler move. (Sam Miller)
2012-04-19 14:00:00 (link to chat)What are the chances the Mets trade David Wright after his exceptional start to the season, coupled with the fact the Mets look better than expected
(Alex Arthur from Tufts University)
Multiple questions about David Wright, so I'll chime in on this one. I do think the Mets should cash him in, because -- despite the solid start -- this is not a contending team this season, and it probably won't be until Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey are anchoring the rotation.

One tricky issue, though, might be finding a landing spot. Most of the contending teams are set at third base, and while there's sure to be a market for a player like Wright -- especially considering that his 2013 club option makes him more than a rental -- the market might not have quite as much demand as Sandy Alderson would want to be working with. (Daniel Rathman)
2012-04-03 12:00:00 (link to chat)Do you project either Zack Wheeler or Matt Harvey to be a legitimate ace of a pitching staff (for instance Lincecum level production)?
(Tim from Florida)
Tim, I'm not sure that "Lincecum level production" is a fair barometer... I'll be thrilled if both guys take the ball every fifth day in New York. If they do, we'll be happy with the results in the long run. (Paul DePodesta)
2012-04-03 12:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Paul.Tell us a bit about Zack Wheeler.What's left for him to work on before he reaches the majors ?
(Spirou from Montreal)
Spirou, like most young pitchers with big stuff, it's just a matter of consistency. He has a Major League repertoire right now. In fact, it's better than most ML starters. The difference is simply how consistently he's able to make the ball go where he wants and do what he wants. He's making progress and isn't far off, and we'll see stretches this year when he's locked in and looking like a big leaguer. (Paul DePodesta)


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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Zack Wheeler has thrown 24,530 pitches that have been tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2013 and 2024, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2024, he has relied primarily on his Fourseam Fastball (95mph) and Slider (86mph), also mixing in a Sinker (94mph), Splitter (86mph) and Curve (81mph). He also rarely throws a Change (87mph).