History of Zack Wheeler in Timeline

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. He is known for his pitching prowess in Major League Baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Youngest Mets Pitcher

In 1986, Doc Gooden became the youngest Mets pitcher.

May 30, 1990: Zack Wheeler Born

On May 30, 1990, Zachary Harrison Wheeler, who would become a professional baseball pitcher, was born.

1998: First Phillies Pitcher to Capture NL Strikeout Title Since 1998

In 2021, Zack Wheeler became the first Phillies pitcher to capture the NL strikeout title since Curt Schilling in 1998.

2008: Named Region Pitcher of the Year

In 2008, Zack Wheeler, as a junior, was named the Georgia High School Association 4A Region Pitcher of the Year after posting an 8–3 record with a 1.31 ERA and 127 strikeouts.

August 17, 2009: Signed with 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: State Playoff Appearance and MLB Draft

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 also selected sixth overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 2009 MLB Draft, choosing to sign with the team rather than attend Kennesaw State for college baseball.

2009: Named Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year

In 2009, Zack Wheeler set a school record with 149 strikeouts and posted a 9–0 record with a 0.54 ERA, earning him the title of Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year. He also pitched a no-hitter against Mill Creek High School during the state playoffs.

2010: Minor League Baseball

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

2010: Assigned to Augusta GreenJackets

In 2010, Zack Wheeler was assigned to the Class A Augusta GreenJackets. He was placed on the disabled list due to a fingernail injury early in the year. Wheeler also made an appearance 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 Mets

On July 28, 2011, Zack Wheeler was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the New York Mets in exchange for Carlos Beltrán and cash.

2011: San Jose Giants Assignment

In 2011, Zack Wheeler was assigned to the Class A-Advanced San Jose Giants, where he had a 7–5 record. He also appeared in the 2011 California League All-Star Game.

July 14, 2012: 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 Buffalo Bisons

On August 1, 2012, Zack Wheeler was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

2012: Bisons Reaffiliation

During the 2012 offseason, the Buffalo Bisons chose to reaffiliate with the Toronto Blue Jays.

June 18, 2013: MLB Debut

On June 18, 2013, Zack Wheeler made his major league debut, pitching six shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a doubleheader, securing a 6–1 victory.

2013: Las Vegas 51s

In 2013, Zack Wheeler began pitching for the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League.

2013: Major League Debut

In 2013, Zack Wheeler made his major league debut with the New York Mets.

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: Began throwing changeup

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

March 16, 2015: Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tear

On March 16, 2015, the Mets announced that Zack Wheeler had torn the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

2015: Jersey Retired

In 2015, East Paulding High School retired Zack Wheeler's No. 45 jersey.

2015: Tommy John Surgery

In 2015, Zack Wheeler's development was halted when he tore his ulnar collateral ligament during spring training, requiring Tommy John surgery.

April 2016: Second Surgery

In early April 2016, Zack Wheeler underwent a second surgery to remove an undissolved stitch in his elbow.

July 2016: Targeted Return

In July 2016, the Mets had targeted a return to the rotation for Zack Wheeler.

2016: Rehabilitation Setbacks

In 2016, Zack Wheeler experienced setbacks during his rehabilitation, preventing his return to the mound as expected.

January 11, 2017: Signed with Mets

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

2017: Offseason Signing

During the 2017 season, the Mets' offseason signing of All-Star Jason Vargas led to speculation that Zack Wheeler would be moved out of the starting rotation and into the bullpen.

2017: Return to the Mound

In 2017, after recovering from Tommy John surgery, Zack Wheeler returned to the mound.

2017: Phillies Pitcher with Hits and RBIs

In 2021, it was noted that Zack Wheeler was the first Phillies' pitcher to have two or more hits and RBIs in a single game since Ben Lively in 2017.

September 19, 2018: Season Finished

On September 19, 2018, Mets manager Mickey Callaway confirmed that Zack Wheeler was finished pitching for the season.

December 9, 2019: Signed with the Philadelphia 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 Phillies

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

2019: Improved second half of 2019 season

In 2019, Zack Wheeler improved in the second half of the season, allowing only one earned run in each of his final five starts. He also set career highs in innings pitched, with 195+1⁄3, and strikeouts, with 195. He finished the 2019 season with an 11–8 record and a 3.96 ERA in 31 starts.

2019: Fastball speed in 2019

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

July 20, 2020: Birth of son

On July 20, 2020, Zack Wheeler and his wife Dominique had a son shortly before the start of the pandemic-shortened 2020 MLB season.

July 25, 2020: Team Debut and Victory

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

2020: Sinker velocity in 2020

During 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: All-Star Selection and League Leader

In 2021, Zack Wheeler received his first MLB All-Star Game selection and led MLB with a career-high 213+1⁄3 innings. He finished the 2021 season 14–10 with a 2.78 ERA, leading the league in complete games, shutouts, and batters faced. Wheeler also became the first Phillies pitcher to capture the NL strikeout title since 1998, with 247 strikeouts.

2021: All-Star Selection

In 2021, Zack Wheeler was named an All-Star for the Philadelphia Phillies.

2021: Desired improvement of slider in 2021

Prior to the 2021 season, Zack Wheeler expressed a desire to improve the consistency of his slider.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

In 2022, Zack Wheeler had a 12–7 record with a 2.82 ERA in 153 innings with 163 strikeouts over 26 starts.

2023: Gold Glove Award and Season Stats

In 2023, Zack Wheeler's ERA was 3.61, with a 13–6 win-loss record. He struck out 212 batters in 192 innings and earned his first career Gold Glove Award.

March 4, 2024: Contract Extension with Phillies

On March 4, 2024, Zack Wheeler signed a three-year, $126 million contract extension with the Phillies.

2024: All-Star Selection

In 2024, Zack Wheeler was named an All-Star for the Philadelphia Phillies.

June 9, 2025: 1,000th Career Strikeout as a Phillie

On June 9, 2025, Zack Wheeler recorded his 1,000th career strikeout as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, becoming the 10th player in franchise history to reach this milestone in a Phillies uniform.

July 2025: Declined All-Star Game Participation

In July 2025, Zack Wheeler declined to participate as a National League pitcher in the 2025 All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta, opting to prepare for the second half of the season.