During Terry Collins‘ first Spring Training press conference, he overtly stated that Zack Wheeler is a starting pitcher. With the Mets publicly considering using Wheeler in the bullpen, at least to start the season, Collins’ statements reminded me of how Bobby Valentine once held a similar opinion about Jason Isringhausen.
Back in 1999, the Mets were using Isringhausen, who had a litany of injuries and surgeries at that point, increasingly out of the bullpen. It was a natural fit for him with his having only made six major league starts over a two year period. And yet, Valentine preferred using Isringhausen in the rotation. As only Valentine could so eloquently put it, putting Isringhausen in the bullpen is like “us[ing] an Indy car as a taxi in New York City.” (New York Daily News).
As we know Isringhausen would be traded later that season in an ill-fated and ill-conceived deal for Athletics closer Billy Taylor. As an Athletic, Isringhausen would work exclusively out of the bullpen. From there, he would become an All Star closer amassing 300 career saves and making two All Star teams.
Given the relative injury histories, the reluctance to put the pitchers in the bullpen, and the hope both pitchers carried with them as part of future super rotations, the Wheeler-Isringhausen comparisons are unavoidable.
To that end, it is important to note one of the supposed issues with Isringhausen in the bullpen was his control. This is certainly understandable given his career 1.520 WHIP and 4.0 BB/9 as a starter. Yet, when moved to the bullpen and allowed to focus on his two best pitches, Isringhausen dramatically cut down on the hits and walks. As a result, the things that made people believe he was a dominant starter came into focus as he became a dominant closer.
The consistently noted fear with Wheeler in the bullpen is also his control. His 3.9 BB/9 is similar to what Isringhausen’s was as a starter even if his 1.339 WHIP is considerably better. It should also be noted Wheeler struck out more batters than Isringhausen did as a starter. That is probably because Wheeler’s pure stuff is better than Isringhausen’s.
Understandably, with Isringhausen and Wheeler being different pitchers, the comparison may seem a bit contrived or imperfect. With that said, we have seen how the Kansas City Royals have recently transitioned pitchers with similar skill sets to Wheeler, and they converted them into dominant relievers.
Luke Hochevar was a struggling starter who gave up too many walks. He was not having success in the rotation despite a low to mid 90s fastball and a high 80s cutter. He was transitioned to the bullpen where he thrived. Before showing the effects of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, he was dominant in 2013 going 5-2 with a 1.92 ERA, 0.825 WHIP, and a 10.5 K/9.
Another notable starter-to-reliever transition is new Cubs closer and former Royal Wade Davis. As a starter from 2009-2011 and again in 2013, Davis amassed 513.2 innings, pitching to a 4.57 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 6.33 K/9, and .272 BAA. As a reliever since 2012 with the Rays and Royals, he has pitched 263 innings with a 1.51 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 11.22 K/9, and .167 BAA. The difference is so stark it’s hard to believe that starter is now considered one of the best if not the best closers in the game today.
Zach Britton came up as a starter and just had one of the best seasons for a reliever ever. Mark Melancon, Andrew Miller, and Dellin Betances were each starters in the minor leagues, and now are considered three more of the best relievers in the game. What we see in all these men is that pitchers with great stuff can truly succeed in the bullpen. Moreover, pitchers who have had control issues as starters can better harness their pitches by focusing on two or maybe three pitches they throw best and work out of the stretch.
Given Wheeler’s past control issues, his not having pitched in two seasons, and the emergence of both Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo, it might be an opportunity for the Mets to move Wheeler in the bullpen where he may truly thrive. Of course, we won’t know that unless the Mets are willing to try. At this point, given Collins’ statements, it appears the Mets are not quite at that point yet. Maybe they should be.
Thoughts From Logan Barer:
I wholeheartedly agree with MetsDaddy in this instance. I am a pitcher myself and for a long time I had four pitches: Fastball, curveball, changeup, slider. They were all mostly so-so pitches, but when I got to college, my coach George Valesente told me to pick three. I scrapped the slider and focused on my other three pitches which are now all plus-plus.
Zack Wheeler throws five pitches: Four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. It might do him good to pick three or four of those pitches and focus on them. He certainly has great stuff, and moving to the bullpen could help him develop as a pitcher, while also limiting his innings this season as he’s coming back from Tommy John surgery.
With the emergence of Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman, now’s the time to experiment. Aside from Wheeler, the Mets have six guys who are capable of throwing a shutout on any given day. If one of them gets hurt, Wheeler can start in a pinch, but until that is necessary, I think the Mets should explore this option. (Also, Zach Britton should have won the AL Cy Young. No question.)
