Comments on: Who Is Zack Wheeler: Nolan Ryan Or Oliver Perez?

By: Papi

Papi — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:24:43 +0000

why does oliver perez’s name always has to come up??? nobody talks more about perez than this website. the guys is a distant past, and why in the hell would you compare zack wheeler to oliver perez??? your gonna jinx the kid for gods sake.

By: Derek Candela

Derek Candela — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:01:03 +0000

I think it is too soon to compare a single A prospect to Nolan Ryan or Oliver Perez. Perez did have some highlights before wearing down. They include a victory in game 4 of the 2006 NLCS, a heroic pitching performance in game 7, and a 15 win season in 2007. If wheeler turns out to be that version of Oliver Perez, I’ll be happy.

By: Jake

Jake — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:18:28 +0000

In the long run….. Time will tell.But I hope it doesn’t take that long !!!!

By: Fire Blogs » Blog Archive » Zack Wheeler: Is He Nolan Ryan Or Oliver Perez?

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 07:52:37 +0000

[...] Source: http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/07/zack-wheeler-is-he-nolan-ryan-or-oliver-perez.html [...]

By: Seattle49erfan

Seattle49erfan — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:04:03 +0000

Keep in mind Sabean, the SF GM, had Wheeler listed as untouchable for a long time. The same Sabean who was instrumental in drafting and developing Lincecum, Cain, Wilson, Bumgarner, Sanchez, Posey, etc…. It might be worth the Met’s time to follow how the Giants are developing their pitchers in hopes of developig Wheeler in the same way. OTW Wheeler could follow in the footsteps of Vogelsong in 2015.

By: alex68

alex68 — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:19:22 +0000

He has talent, now its up to the Mets to turn that talent into a big league pitcher”

you know how that sounds?????? i-di-o-tic!!!!!!

By: alex68

alex68 — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:18:18 +0000

Sorry Ed but the Ollie P thing is a stretch”

and the nolan ryan thing is not??? is the writer of this article serious??? for that matter are you???

By: Metsie

Metsie — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:56:43 +0000

Yes Sarge they have a track record…But that record includes bringing them up and starting them not trading them off for a two month rental which could say more about what they think about him compared to everyone else’s opinion.

The kid has promise, former 1st rounder but it isn’t like he is lighting up High A ball.

We owe it to him to give him a chance but lets face it this kid will do nothing for two years at least on a Major League level.

By: sarge

sarge — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:45:27 +0000

Ollie, you really had to put him in the headline? Not want people to read this?
Wheeler is as all other in minors, a pitcher with “potential”; what other teams consider potential might not mean the same for Mets but Giants do have a track record of drafting good young pitchers so I say give him a chance to learn, develop his pitches and command the strike zone cause with his plus fastball, that is a pitch you either have or you dont’ and hard throwers are good for the roster.

By: Ed Leyro

Ed Leyro — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:46:00 +0000

If he’s the next Rick Ankiel, does that mean Wheeler will end up replacing Beltran in the outfield?

By: Tie Dyed

Tie Dyed — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:31:36 +0000

Ed–Young pitchers are always a total crap shoot. Hitting prospects, too. But with pitchers it always seems like the ‘cant miss’ prospects do frequently miss–and guys you never expect to amount to anything become studs.

Yes, Wheeler DOES have control problems so far. In answering your question if he’s the next Ryan or Ollie…maybe he’ll be the next Rick Ankiel

By: jessep

jessep — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:09:11 +0000

Sorry Ed but the Ollie P thing is a stretch.

He’s a young pitcher who is still learning how to pitch as a pro. In Gooden’s first full year as a pro he had over 100 BB

Will Wheeler have impeccable control? Probably not, but he has a long way to go. I’d rather just sit back and enjoy the fact they got a legit prospect. What Wheeler becomes is up to the Mets development system.

He has talent, now its up to the Mets to turn that talent into a big league pitcher

By: Ed Leyro

Ed Leyro — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:17:22 +0000

Can you tell I never liked Ollie? It’s always tough to tell with young pitchers. Hopefully, he won’t turn into another Paul Wilson. But as you say, it’s up to the coaching staff at all of the minor league levels to make him a big leaguer. Talent alone doesn’t guarantee big league success.

By: Ed Leyro

Ed Leyro — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:27:25 +0000

The one thing I look at with Sandy Koufax is that during that six-year heyday (1961-66), he led the Dodgers to three pennants and two championships (he didn’t do much for them when they won the World Series in 1959).

I’d rather Wheeler be like Koufax in that respect (the championships) than anything else.

By: Des

Des — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:15:57 +0000

Looking at Wheeler from a different prism, let’s compare him with Sandy Koufax. Sandy played with the powerhouse Dodgers teams, beginning in the mid-1950′s. In his first three years, Sandy was 9-10. In his next three years he was 36-40. In total for his first six years, Koufax had a 36-40 record.

Beginning in Year 7, Sandy learned how to put it all together. In the last six years of Koufax’s short 12 year career, he went 129-47. He wound up with a 165-87 record. If Zach can be a Koufax, whatever wait it takes will be worth the patience needed. Sandy developed arthritis which ended his career. Some reports on Zach’s mechanics have suggested that he has a greater than average chance of significant injury. Maybe like Sandy, it will all be worthwhile.

By: 86mets

86mets — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:46:47 +0000

Yes, Nolan Ryan had some severe control issues AFTER he reached the Majors, especially with the Angels. Ditto Randy Johnson. How’d those 2 pitchers turn out? Ok, right? I’d say better than OK since one is in the Hall of Fame and the other will be a 1st ballot electee when he’s eligible. I’m not saying that I believe Zack Wheeler will follow their paths to the HOF. Merely pointing out that control issues aren’t always career killers. Look at Wheelers’ other numbers: 10K per 9 IP, .224 average allowed, and fewer hits than innings pitched. He has the Plus FB in the 92-96 mph range with excellent life and a developing curveball which I have read is a bat-missing pitch as well. He’s 21 years old and still developing. He seems to be a coachable kid who can learn how to harness his incredible skill set and mature into something special. I’d say this is an excellent acquisition on Alderson’s part and I look forward to seeing him develop over the next couple of years.

By: Metsie

Metsie — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:19:35 +0000

If he has a 95+ fastball the problems with his control probably have more to do with overthrowing than anything else.

By: Ed Leyro

Ed Leyro — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:14:46 +0000

Let’s hope he can learn control in the minors. So far, he has improved slightly this year as the season has gone along. He doesn’t have to become a control freak a la Roy Halladay, but as long as he can lower his walks per nine innings to less than four, I’ll be counting down the days till he and Matt Harvey get the call (2013, maybe?)

By: Donal

Donal — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:08:35 +0000

Keep in mind, the minor leagues are where you learn control. A lot of those walks and wild pitches are because he’s adding things like a change up to his arsenal. Plus, he is probably still growing. Once he bulks up some more, his mechanics should tighten up.

He’s got a 95+ fastball, a very good curve and is adding a slider. He’s not a max effort guy, so we shouldn’t have to worry about him burning out too quickly.

By: Squidoo

Squidoo — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:57:20 +0000

Perspective can be a bitch sometimes.