Zack Wheeler Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Just Announced His Departure

Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies finished with a 2.53 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP during his Sunday afternoon start against the Miami Marlins. According to MLB.com and other betting sites, he has the highest chance of taking home the NL Cy Young Award, and he is frequently mentioned as one of the top arms in the game.

The most absurd thing is that Wheeler didn’t even play at his best when he first faced the Marlins. Wheeler had a 1.87 ERA, a.167 batting average against, and 63 strikeouts over 49 1/3 innings going into the game, where he gave up six runs over four innings. Even though they ultimately lost in extra innings, he went out there and gave the squad a chance to win.

The way the Marlins teed off on Wheeler was surprising. Not simply because of the way he began the year, but also because that is now what we can all anticipate from him. Every five days, the ace takes the mound and, under whatever circumstances, puts his team on the best possible start that increases their chances of winning every game.

The “best pitcher in baseball” accomplishes just that. And Wheeler’s current dominance is rather obvious. He wasn’t always this player, though.

tracing Zack Wheeler’s rise from good to outstanding to the best in the Phillies’ history
The San Francisco Giants selected Wheeler sixth overall in the 2009 MLB Draft. He was a part of the trade that sent Wheeler to the Mets in 2011 and sent Carlos Beltran to the Giants. He debuted on June 18, 2013, two years later, when he was twenty-three years old. That season, he made 17 starts and finished with a 3.42 ERA, 4.17 FIP, 7.6 K/9, and 1.36 WHIP.

Wheeler had a 3.52 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 32 starts over 185 1/3 innings the next season. Sadly, it resulted in Tommy John surgery for the then-24-year-old, who had to miss the entire year of 2015. After his comeback from the injury, there seemed to be a problem with the large right-hander.

Before becoming a free agent, he started 77 games over the course of the following three years, posting a below-average 3.94 ERA. With so many pitchers available at the time, the Mets considered Wheeler to be expendable.

But they didn’t see this Zack Wheeler coming, and neither did anyone else.

The 29-year-old free agent may end up being the best free agent signing in sports history because the Phillies took a risk on him.

Wheeler has made 110 starts while wearing the red pinstripes. With 740 strikeouts, a 2.89 FIP, a 1.05 WHIP, a 3.02 ERA, and a.627 winning percentage, he has been quite effective. He concluded the 2021 season with a 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and the league record for innings pitched (213 1/3), strikeouts (247), and complete games (three). That year, he finished second in the Cy Young vote.

We’d venture to say those figures are Roy Halladay-like. To be exact, Wheeler’s greatest Halladay impersonation occurred on the day the Phillies retired Doc Halladay’s number in honor of him. Wheeler produced a complete gem in his opening game against the Mets. Wheeler pitched a complete game shutout in typical Doc manner, lasting nine innings and giving up just two hits and one walk while striking out eleven batters.

Wheeler had the tools and potential to be the greatest pitcher in baseball, and the baseball world took notice of this at that very moment.

Wheeler continues to improve throughout the postseason and into 2024.
Wheeler has perhaps contributed the most value in the playoffs with his efforts. From 2012 until 2021, the Phillies missed out on the postseason; nevertheless, Wheeler was the key player on the mound when they eventually made it.

Wheeler has been outstanding in 10 playoff starts and one relief appearance. He has the lowest lifetime postseason WHIP of 0.73 and a career playoff ERA of 2.42, just shy of Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera. He has consistently performed admirably in the most important circumstances, never backsliding from the spotlight and always giving his all.

J.T. Realmuto, the player with the finest view, received tremendous accolades earlier this month, and everyone is noting his comeback as the ace of all aces, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman.

According to Seidman, Realmuto stated, “He’s just more of a pitcher now than he was in the past. He always had plus stuff.” “He used to be more of a thrower; he would come at you with two or three pitches and kind of challenge you in the middle of the zone.

He now uses five or six pitches, one for each side of the plate. More often than not, he can play with the hitters’ minds, making them focus on one thing while throwing another.”

Wheeler should start on Opening Day in 2024, according to Aaron Nola, who started six straight Opening Day starts for the Phillies. “Wheels should take it; he’s earned it, man,” Nola said.

Wheeler has the tools to lead the club to success, and the entire group is behind him. With the exception of his last appearance against the Marlins, he has a 2.53 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in nine starts in 2024. The Phillies feel that they have the best opportunity to win when he is on the mound because of their confidence. That is ultimately the responsibility of the starting pitcher, and Wheeler has shown himself to be the greatest at it.

The Phillies now have their ace through 2027 after Wheeler signed a three-year deal this past offseason. It’s comforting to know that Philadelphia will be home to baseball’s finest pitcher for a very long time.