Career Timeline of Zack Wheeler: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Zack Wheeler, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Zack Wheeler is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. Prior to joining the Phillies, he played for the New York Mets. Wheeler is known for his pitching prowess at the major league level.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 17, 2009: Signed with the Giants

On August 17, 2009, Zack Wheeler signed with the San Francisco Giants, including a $3.3 million signing bonus, foregoing his commitment to play college baseball at Kennesaw State.

2009: Led team to state playoff appearance and pitched a no-hitter

In 2009, Zack Wheeler led East Paulding High School to a state playoff appearance and pitched a no-hitter against Mill Creek High School. He was later selected sixth overall in the 2009 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants, ultimately signing with them instead of playing college baseball at Kennesaw State.

2010: Played for Giants' Minor League Teams

In 2010, Zack Wheeler played for the San Francisco Giants' minor league teams.

2010: Assigned to Augusta GreenJackets

In 2010, Zack Wheeler was assigned to the Class A Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic League. He was placed on the disabled list early in the year with a fingernail injury, later making relief appearances and re-entering the starting rotation. He posted a 3-3 record with a 3.99 ERA and appeared at the 2010 All-Star Futures Game in Anaheim, California.

July 2011: Traded to the Mets

In July 2011, Zack Wheeler was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the New York Mets.

July 28, 2011: Traded to the Mets

On July 28, 2011, Zack Wheeler was traded by the Giants to the New York Mets in exchange for Carlos Beltrán and cash. He then played for the Class A St. Lucie Mets, achieving a 2-2 record with a 2.00 ERA.

2011: Named Top Prospect and Assigned to San Jose Giants

Prior to the 2011 season, Baseball America named Zack Wheeler the number two prospect in the Giants organization, noting his "best fastball". He was assigned to the Class A-Advanced San Jose Giants in 2011, going 7-5 with a 3.99 ERA and appearing in the California League All-Star Game.

July 14, 2012: First Professional Complete Game Shutout

On July 14, 2012, Zack Wheeler pitched his first professional complete game shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Erie SeaWolves while playing for the Double A Binghamton Mets.

August 1, 2012: Promoted to Triple-A Buffalo Bisons

On August 1, 2012, Zack Wheeler was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons after striking out 11 batters in a game.

June 18, 2013: Major League Debut

On June 18, 2013, Zack Wheeler made his major league debut, pitching six shutout innings in a 6-1 victory against the Atlanta Braves.

2013: Expected Major League Debut

In 2013, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson expected Zack Wheeler to open the season with Buffalo and make his major league debut that same year.

2013: Pitching for Las Vegas 51s

In 2013, Zack Wheeler and other Mets Triple-A prospects began pitching for the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League. He found his rhythm after striking out eight batters in 6+2⁄3 innings against the Reno Aces on April 30, finishing the season with a 4-2 record and a 3.93 ERA.

June 19, 2014: Complete-Game Shutout

On June 19, 2014, Zack Wheeler pitched a complete-game shutout against the Miami Marlins, facing only 28 batters and allowing just three hits.

2014: Wheeler began throwing changeup

In 2014, Wheeler began throwing his changeup to confuse batters expecting a hard fastball.

July 2016: Targeted Return

After seeing Matt Harvey's successful return, the Mets targeted July 2016 for Zack Wheeler's return to the rotation after Tommy John surgery.

January 11, 2017: Signed Contract with Mets

On January 11, 2017, Zack Wheeler signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Mets, avoiding arbitration.

2017: Return to the Mound

After setbacks, Zack Wheeler returned to the mound in 2017.

September 19, 2018: Wheeler Done Pitching for the Season

On September 19, 2018, Mets manager Mickey Callaway confirmed that Zack Wheeler was finished pitching for the season after pitching 187+1⁄3 innings, which was more than double his 2017 total.

2018: Career-High Strikeouts and Innings Pitched

In 2018, Zack Wheeler had a career-high number of strikeouts and innings pitched.

December 9, 2019: Wheeler Signs with the Phillies

On December 9, 2019, Zack Wheeler signed a five-year, $118 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent.

December 2019: Signed with the Phillies

In December 2019, Zack Wheeler became a free agent and signed a five-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.

2019: Career Highs in Innings Pitched and Strikeouts

In 2019, Zack Wheeler set career highs in innings pitched, with 195+1⁄3, and strikeouts, with 195, finishing the season with an 11–8 record and a 3.96 ERA in 31 starts.

2019: Average Fastball Speed Higher Than MLB Average

In 2019, Zack Wheeler's average fastball speed of 96.8 mph was much higher than the MLB average of 93.4 mph.

July 25, 2020: Team Debut and Victory Against the Miami Marlins

On July 25, 2020, Zack Wheeler made his team debut with the Philadelphia Phillies, achieving a 7–1 victory against the Miami Marlins.

2020: Sinker Velocity Second-Highest Among Pitchers

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Zack Wheeler's sinker velocity of 97.1 mph was the second-highest among pitchers who threw the pitch at least 100 times.

2021: Franchise Record

In 2021, Zack Wheeler became the third pitcher in franchise history to strike out 10 or more batters in three consecutive starts.

2021: First MLB All-Star Game Selection

In 2021, Zack Wheeler received his first MLB All-Star Game selection, led MLB with 213+1⁄3 innings, finished the season 14–10 with a 2.78 ERA, and became the first Phillies pitcher since Curt Schilling in 1998 to capture the NL strikeout title.

2021: Wheeler expressed a desire to improve slider

Prior to the 2021 season, Wheeler expressed a desire to improve the consistency of his slider and "make it look like a strike instead of it ... being like a waste pitch".

2022: Performance in 2022 Season

In 2022, Zack Wheeler had a 12–7 record with a 2.82 ERA in 153 innings and 163 strikeouts over 26 starts. His career 0.812 home runs-per-9 innings was 4th-lowest among active major league pitchers, and his salary of $26 million was the 10th-highest of all NL baseball players.

2023: First Career Gold Glove Award

In 2023, Zack Wheeler's ERA worsened to 3.61, but his win-loss record improved to 13–6, he struck out 212 batters in 192 innings and earned his first career Gold Glove Award.