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a MetsMinorleagueBlog post on Mr. Wheeler...
RHP Zack Wheeler, who just turned 22 on Wednesday, has been a gift to Mets fans. Entering his start on Thursday, he was leading the AA Eastern League in opponents’ batting average (.175), was fourth in ERA (1.97) and had the highest strikeout rate of any of the league’s starters (10.25 K/9).
B-Mets Pitching Coach Glenn Abott, himself a big leaguer for 10 years and a pitching coach for over 20, is a believer, “He’s just got very good stuff. He’s been throwing strikes. He’s been in the zone good. He just needs to sharpen up his command.”
As for the low batting average against, Abbott has a simple answer, “His stuff is better than the hitters in this league. The ball really explodes out of his hand. He’s got as good a fastball as I’ve ever seen. There are guys who throw harder, but the ball really jumps out of his hand because he throws it so easy, you know.”
Like many young hard-throwing pitchers, Wheeler’s stuff was ahead of his command. In April, he walked 13% of the batters he faced (14 of 105). In May, that dropped to 9% (7 of 77). More tellingly, in April, he threw strikes on 59% of his pitches, while in May, he’s up to 66%. Abbott explains, “Early, he was rushing, but he’s been able to curtail that. And that’s made a big difference is him staying back a little bit better. He was just getting out too fast, and his arm couldn’t catch up. His command was all over the place. Sometimes he would yank a pitch or two, but since he’s been staying back, he’s been able to get through all of his pitches a lot better.”
Wheeler lives off his lively fastball, and wipeout slider while his changeup is decidedly his fourth pitch. Abbott pointed out that Wheeler has not needed his changeup, and truthfully still does not to record outs, “It’s hard. You get guys like that that have always dominated whereever they have been, so it’s hard to get them to get them on track with a pitch like that. Trying to get them to understand how important it is at the major league level. You know, it’s not about here, it’s about the major league level, but it’s coming.” Wheeler says he’s been throwing the pitch more regularly recently, telling Adam Rubin of ESPNNY, “I’ve been working on my changeup a good bit the past few weeks.”
So, what has two months in double-A produced for Wheeler? A better-paced delivery. Improved command. More time to work on his secondary stuff. And a birthday cake.
B-Mets Pitching Coach Glenn Abott, himself a big leaguer for 10 years and a pitching coach for over 20, is a believer, “He’s just got very good stuff. He’s been throwing strikes. He’s been in the zone good. He just needs to sharpen up his command.”
As for the low batting average against, Abbott has a simple answer, “His stuff is better than the hitters in this league. The ball really explodes out of his hand. He’s got as good a fastball as I’ve ever seen. There are guys who throw harder, but the ball really jumps out of his hand because he throws it so easy, you know.”
Like many young hard-throwing pitchers, Wheeler’s stuff was ahead of his command. In April, he walked 13% of the batters he faced (14 of 105). In May, that dropped to 9% (7 of 77). More tellingly, in April, he threw strikes on 59% of his pitches, while in May, he’s up to 66%. Abbott explains, “Early, he was rushing, but he’s been able to curtail that. And that’s made a big difference is him staying back a little bit better. He was just getting out too fast, and his arm couldn’t catch up. His command was all over the place. Sometimes he would yank a pitch or two, but since he’s been staying back, he’s been able to get through all of his pitches a lot better.”
Wheeler lives off his lively fastball, and wipeout slider while his changeup is decidedly his fourth pitch. Abbott pointed out that Wheeler has not needed his changeup, and truthfully still does not to record outs, “It’s hard. You get guys like that that have always dominated whereever they have been, so it’s hard to get them to get them on track with a pitch like that. Trying to get them to understand how important it is at the major league level. You know, it’s not about here, it’s about the major league level, but it’s coming.” Wheeler says he’s been throwing the pitch more regularly recently, telling Adam Rubin of ESPNNY, “I’ve been working on my changeup a good bit the past few weeks.”
So, what has two months in double-A produced for Wheeler? A better-paced delivery. Improved command. More time to work on his secondary stuff. And a birthday cake.
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