Phillies Wheeler The Team’s Most Pleasant Surprise
Despite the Phillies disappointing start in which they began the week 26-27, one of the truly bright spots has been the successful return of Zack Wheeler. Last year, on Aug. 15 Wheeler made his final start of the season after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. He had surgery on Sept. 23 and was expected to be sidelined six to eight months.
Wheeler returned for five minor league rehab starts and his statistics were understandably unimpressive. In five minor league appearances over 20 innings, he had a 5.85 ERA with 23 strikeouts, but just five walks. He also allowed three home runs.
Wheeler talked about how he thought he would pitch much better once returning to the Major Leagues, and so far, that has definitely proven to be the case.
In his first six starts this season, the Phillies are 6-0 in those games. Wheeler is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA. In 37.2 innings he has struck out 36 and walked eight. While he is not quite throwing as hard as he did last year – again that is expected – it is pretty close.
According to Fangraphs via Statcast, his fastball velocity has been 95.0 MPH in the six starts. Last season it stood at 96.1.
Wheeler, who turns 36 on May 30, has an average velocity of 91.1 MPH on his cutter this season. Last year it was 91.8. The slider’s velocity is 81.0 compared to 83.7 last year.
Wheeler appears to be getting stronger with every start.
Here is a look at start by start.
Apr. 25: 8-5 win (10 in) at Atlanta – 5IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 6 K ND
May 1: 6-5 win at Miami – 6 IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 8K, WP
May 6: 6-3 win vs. A’s – 6.1 IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 4K – ND
May 12: 2-1 win at Boston – 7.1IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 4K – WP
May 17: 6-0 at Pittsburgh – 7IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 8K – WP
May 23: 3-0 vs. Cleveland – 6IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 6K – WP
This would be a remarkable start if Wheeler hadn’t been coming off an injury, but considering what he has gone through, even by Wheeler’s high standards, this has been an amazing start.
Even though he started the season late, Wheeler is certainly an All-Star candidate. Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez could make the argument of the best pitching tandem in the game.
Wheeler, who is signed through next season, has been among the best free agent signings in Phillies history. With the Phillies he is 73-37 with a 2.86 ERA.
In the playoffs with the Phillies he is 4-3 with a 2.18 ERA in 12 games, including 11 starts. He is a three-time All-Star and has been a top 10 finisher in Cy Young voting four times.
If Wheeler can somehow continue to pitch at this level for a few more seasons, he will at least warrant Hall of Fame consideration.
Just imagine the shape the Phillies would be in if Wheeler hadn’t returned so quickly and pitched at an elite level. There is still the feeling that he could improve even more as he gets more innings under his belt.
Zack Wheeler / Marc Narducci
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Author: Marc Narducci
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