Jul
27
2011

Zach Wheeler Scouting And Info From Around Web

An article by Hojo's Mojo

Wheeler has two pitches that could surface as plus, in his fastball and curveball. The changeup I saw doesn’t look like it will be more than a slightly above-average pitch. He could use more seasoning with his changeup as well as his command, but he could be a back-of-the-rotation starter in the big leagues tomorrow. His upside, which he could still be 3-4 years from reaching, is as a very good No. 2 starter and maybe even an ace for stretches of time. Every young pitcher comes with a good amount of injury risk, but Wheeler’s mechanics make him an unlikely bet to avoid major arm injuries over the next five years. Hopefully he can stay healthy, mature into his frame, sharpen his command and get a chance to face big-league hitters. Wheeler is a treat to watch and one of the higher upside arms in the minors. – Project Prospect

Unfortunately, Wheeler doesn’t really look like a pitchability guy either despite his natural pitching intelligence. He’s improved his changeup, but it’s still not average yet, and his arm angle suggests it might never be. His command ranges from below average to terrible, and the fact that he’s had as much success in the California League as he has speaks more about the quality of hitters he’s facing than his actual ability. He has a lot of difficulty hitting his spots, especially down in the zone. Right now a lot of batters are still chasing, but that may change once he starts facing more disciplined hitters. The good news is that he doesn’t often elevate his pitches when he misses; he tends to either miss down or away. That will help him to continue to limit the home run, but if hitters do start to lay off, he’ll find himself intentionally elevating instead. – Amazin Avenue

Right now, Wheeler is a raw talent. He struggled with control in low-A in 2010, posting an atrocious 5.83 BB/9. However, that was accompanied by a magnificent 10.74 K/9, and the kid didn’t allow a home run all season (58.2 IP). He’s got the ability to induce groundballs (63% GB rate), which in addition to his strikeout rate, makes him extremely valuable. In terms of proximity to the majors, Wheeler’s got some work to do. He is quite promising though. - John Sickels

A flame-throwing righthander from Georgia, Zack Wheeler mixes his 96mph fastball with a curve ball that’s already a plus pitch. He’s adding a changeup, and if he can make it even a league-average offering he can be a middle-rotation starter anywhere. Even without one, his fastball-curve combination is good enough for a major league bullpen today. He’ll need some seasoning, of course, and scouts would like to see his pitcher-perfect body take on a starter’s workload. He’ll probably spend most of 2011 in high-A, with a AA promotion possible. – Scoutinng Book

With his size, broad shoulders and loose arm action, Wheeler has plenty of projection remaining. His cracked nail was a blessing in disguise because it forced him to take time out to work on smoothing out his mechanics. He got on a more direct line to the plate and cut down the effort in his delivery, allowing him to command the bottom of the strike zone much better. Wheeler threw an easy 94-97 mph fastball during instructional league with improved location. His changeup became functional toward the end of the season, and his breaking ball became tighter and more consistent. He can throw an overhand curveball but has had more success with a slurve. He did a lot of maturing on the mound in his first pro season and learned he can’t strike out the world. – Baseball America

By the way, you can follow Zach Wheeler @wheelerpro45 on Twitter.

About the Author: Rob Johnson

10 Comments + Add Comment

Kay July 27, 2011 at 6:07 pm

Baseball America
Quote:
Background: The Giants made Wheeler the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, the highest they’ve taken a pitcher since selecting Jason Grilli at No. 4 in 1997, and signed him for $3.3 million. It was a bad omen when he recorded only one out in his pro debut in April, as a persistent cracked-fingernail issue derailed his season. He did post a 3.27 ERA in his final five starts.

Scouting Report: With his size, broad shoulders and loose arm action, Wheeler has plenty of projection remaining. His cracked nail was a blessing in disguise because it forced him to take time out to work on smoothing out his mechanics. He got on a more direct line to the plate and cut down the effort in his delivery, allowing him to command the bottom of the strike zone much better. Wheeler threw an easy 94-97 mph fastball during instructional league with improved location. His changeup became functional toward the end of the season, and his breaking ball became tighter and more consistent. He can throw an overhand curveball but has had more success with a slurve. He did a lot of maturing on the mound in his first pro season and learned he can’t strike out the world.
- Des July 27, 2011 at 8:03 pm
  
  Thanks to Hojo and Kay for the scouting reports. Now let’s step out bravely into the future. . . .
jessep July 27, 2011 at 6:27 pm

If this deal becomes official and the Mets grab Zach Wheeler for Carlos Beltran… all of Alderson’s critics can consider themselves mute from this point on. Is the guy perfect? No. But getting a top pitching prospect for a rental is not something “small market” teams would do. This was Sandy flexing his muscles, and if you cant support him after this deal then I’m convinced you’re only here to be a hater and not a fan
- Kay July 27, 2011 at 6:36 pm
  
  I get it, you get it, many get it, but hate to be negative nelly some will just not get it…………
  
  I adore Carlos B, one of my all time favorites, but this had to be done and it was a great move for the future of the NY Mets.
  
  The name on the front of the uniform is far more important then the name on the back! ($1 Herb Brooks)
- Da Madd Genius July 27, 2011 at 7:12 pm
  
  Lol why should I be mute? Its a good trade, but maybe if Sandy’s bargain bin duds weren’t filling our roster when we submarines our season in the first 3 weeks perhaps the best move would have been to keep Carlos instead of celebrating taking a step (or 3 since this kid isn’t ready to leave A ball yet) back. Every Sandy lover says “give him time” well this is clearly a move that needs time. But I live in the present, and presently my big market club is selling off assets with minuscule chance of a playoff birth. That ain’t good enough whether it’s Sandy or Omar
Lifelongmetsfan July 27, 2011 at 7:33 pm

I’m happy! Wheeler may not be a #! but by all accounts he projects to be very solid if not spectacular major league starting pitcher! Wheeler delivery is a bit clumsy to me but hey, I’m an idiot what do I know?
Wheeler is the Mike Pelfrey we thought we were getting when we signed him!
Dare I dream, 2012
Santana
Niese
Pelfrey
Wheeler
Dickey
Good gollie Batman! If Pefrey can … see a shrink 3x a week over the off season we may just have something here…. In 2013 after Santana’s arm finally falls off.. Henry M. will hopefully be back!
- Des July 27, 2011 at 8:04 pm
  
  2012 for Wheeler? Not likely.
t agee July 27, 2011 at 7:41 pm

Well Genius, We’ve been borrowing from the future with every single trade or free agent signing we’ve made since the Darling Mazzili and Bailor, Perez for Fernandez deal in the early 80′s. Those worked out great remember?

The only deals we’ve made since then that didn’t borrow from the future were salary dump deals.

Guess how many World Series games we’ve won in the last 25 years making only THIS YEAR type moves? ONE. ONE World Series game victory in TWENTY FIVE YEARS.

Time to think beyond just THIS YEAR for a change.
tlagee July 27, 2011 at 8:00 pm

I think that if Sandy does land Zack for Beltran it’s a great deal. Beltran is a rental, past his prime and a notorious slow healer when he does get injured. Also he will not give the Giants draft choices if he decides to move on.

Carlos is a really good player who gave us about 4 good years out of seven. The problem was he was paid to give us seven. Great hitter and ballplayer – ironman he is not.
- Tommy2cat July 27, 2011 at 10:39 pm
  
  You go, Bro!.
  
  Agree with you 100%.
  
  Beltran will look cool in a Giants uniform, however. If he gets to play centerfield after another Aaron Rowan faceplant, he’ll join Willie Mays & Bobby Bonds (the “original, free-range, no-fillers” Bonds) in a lineage of outstanding Giant centerfielders.
  
  I think Alderson is methodically building a juggernaut.

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