MLB New York Mets

Zack Wheeler Must Prove He Isn’t Overrated Entering 2015

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By @mturnerny

Zack Wheeler New York Mets

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Although there was a fair amount of hype when he broke into the Major Leagues, New York Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler really hasn’t done all that much to impress since then. In fact, while his first start wasn’t his best start, it was a perfect microcosm of the next year and a half for Wheeler.

On June 18, in the second game of a doubleheader, Wheeler made his MLB debut against his hometown Atlanta Braves. He pitched six innings, striking out nine and walking five, while not allowed a run en route to his first career win. In his 48 starts since, he’s had some ups and downs, but it all levels out to pretty much the exact same as game No. 1. For his career, Wheeler has a 3.50 ERA, and averaged 8.5 strikeouts, 3.9 walks and 8.1 hits — all per nine innings — with a 1.339 WHIP. In essence, he really hasn’t showed consistent, if any, improvements.

Now entering his third year and his second full season, Wheeler is being looked upon as one of the three young pitchers who are to revitalize the Mets franchise. This is the year to prove that he can control his fastball at 95-plus mph enough to strike people out as consistently as he has, but while drastically reducing his walks. Another season of a .500 win percentage for Wheeler could correlate to a similar record for the Mets.

Obviously, there’s plenty of doubt surrounding the other two young pitchers, too. Matt Harvey is coming back from Tommy John surgery, and whether or not he can return to his ace status is up in the air, while Jacob deGrom looks to repeat an entirely dominant rookie season. The thing with Harvey and deGrom is, however, they’ve both succeeded over a full season. Wheeler hasn’t quite done that; in his two years, he’s earned the Mets roughly two wins – one per year, that’s it. In just one season, deGrom achieved a 3.1 WAR, with Harvey reaching 6.9 WAR in his one-plus seasons.

Right now, Wheeler is the third best of those pitchers, and he may still not even be better than some other Mets pitchers fighting for a rotation spot. He’s not “poised” for a breakout year because it’s not as if everything is magically going to fall in line for Wheeler. However, he needs to really work with the Mets’ staff and better control all of his pitches. Fewer walks, and therefore probably fewer strikeouts, could be the key for Wheeler turning around his career.

Matt Turner is a New York Mets Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @MTurnerNY, or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

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