Zack Wheeler Biography

Zack Wheeler (Full name – Zachary Harrison Wheeler) is an American professional baseball pitcher who was born and raised in Smyrna, Georgia, U.S. He currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, Wheeler was a pitcher for the New York Mets.

In the 2009 MLB Draft, he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants with the sixth overall pick. Wheeler was then traded to the Mets in 2011 and made his major league debut with the team in 2013. Prior to being drafted, he attended East Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia.

Zack Wheeler Age

Wheeler was born on May 30, 1990, in Smyrna, Georgia, USA, to Barry and Elaine Wheeler. He is 30 years old in 2020.

Zack Wheeler Height

He is quite tall in stature with an athletic body. Wheeler stands at a towering height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m).

Zack Wheeler Family

Wheeler was born in an athletically gifted family to Barry, a longtime project coordinator for Georgia Power, and Elaine Wheeler in Smyrna, Georgia. He has two older brothers, Jacob and Adam. The New York Yankees selected Adam in the 13th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. He went on to have a four-year career as a pitcher in their farm system before his career was derailed by injury.

Barry also played in a men’s baseball league, while Elaine lettered in varsity basketball and softball during all four years of high school and continued to play softball competitively as an adult. Zack Wheeler’s brothers are both nearly ten years older than he is and pushed him to excel in sports from a young age; at the age of two years, his brothers taught him to dribble a basketball, throw a baseball and switch-hit.

Zack Wheeler Wedding Wife

Zack was engaged to be married to his Fiancee named Dominique Rizzo. The two are currently married and expecting their first child in the next three months. However, it is not known when and where the two got married or when their wedding was held.

Zack Wheeler Phillies

After leaving the Mets, Wheeler signed a five-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on December 9, 2019. He is now set to be with the team until 2023.

Zack Wheeler High School and Velocity

Wheeler attended East Paulding High School, where he played baseball and basketball after he moved from Smyrna to Dallas, Georgia. He was an unheralded ballplayer until he hit a growth spurt at 15 years old; his height eventually reached 6 feet 4 inches and his fastball exceeded 90 miles per hour, attracting the attention of scouts.

In Zack Wheeler’s junior year, in 2008, he went 8–3 with a 1.31 ERA and 127 strikeouts over ​64 1⁄3 innings and was named AAA Region Pitcher of the Year. In his senior year, in 2009, Wheeler pitched in 13 games and finished 9–0 with an 0.54 ERA and 151 strikeouts in ​77 2⁄3 innings. That year he was named the 2009 Gatorade High School Player of the Year for Georgia.

Zack Wheeler Mets

Wheeler made his major league debut on June 18, 2013, in the second game of a day-night doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, located less than an hour from where he grew up. He earned a 6–1 victory by pitching six scoreless innings while allowing four hits, walking five and striking out seven.

Wheeler struck out a career-high 12 batters on August 15, while allowing one run on seven hits in six innings of work against the San Diego Padres. He finished his first season in the majors at 7–5 with a 3.42 ERA in 17 starts.

The Mets began spring training in 2018 with their entire pitching staff, including Zack Wheeler, fully healthy. However, the signing of starting pitcher and 2017 All-Star Jason Vargas brought added competition for Wheeler to win a role in the five-man rotation. Although Vargas began the season on the disabled list, Wheeler was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the season after struggling in spring training. Seth Lugo took Wheeler’s spot in the rotation.

Wheeler’s minor league stint did not last long, however, as the Mets recalled him to start against the Miami Marlins on April 11. Wheeler proved that he belonged in the major leagues by pitching seven innings, striking out seven and earning the win over Miami. Wheeler remained in the Major League rotation following that start.

Wheeler was 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA. He led the majors in giving up the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls (24.8%).

Zack Wheeler Jersey

Wheeler wears jersey number 45 at the New York Mets. His Jerseys are available on mlbshop.com with originals and other customized versions of the jersey. Prices vary according to the color, size, custom among other factors. The jerseys go for anything between $34.99 and $297.99 with free shipping.

Zack Wheeler Giants

In the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, Wheeler was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round, sixth overall. He signed with the Giants, thereby foregoing a commitment to attend Chipola College.

Wheeler began the 2011 season with the San Francisco Giants’ Class A-Advanced affiliate, the San Jose Giants. He went 7–5 with 3.99 ERA, striking out 98 batters and walking 47 in 88 innings and was selected as a CAL Mid-Season All-Star. Wheeler was traded to the New York Mets for outfielder Carlos Beltrán and cash on July 11. He was sent to the Mets Class A affiliate St. Lucie Mets, where he appeared in 6 starts going 2–2 with a 2.00 ERA through 27 innings.

Zack Wheeler Contract, Salary, and Net Worth

Wheeler and the Mets agreed to a one-year 2019 contract worth $5,975,000 with an annual salary and a guaranteed income of the same amount. He left the Mets in 2019 and signed a five-year contract worth $118 million with the Philadelphia Phillies on December 9, 2019. He is now set to be with the team until 2023. However, Wheeler’s actual net worth is still under review.

Zack Wheeler Stats

Frequently asked questions about Zack Wheeler.

How old is Zack Wheeler?

Zack is 30 years old in 2020. He was born on May 30, 1990, in Smyrna, Georgia, USA.

What happened to Zack Wheeler?

On July 24, 2019, Wheeler suffered a stress reaction on his right arm and was placed on the disabled list. After failing to recover, he was effectively shut down for the season on August 24th.

What team is Zack Wheeler on?

Wheeler is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Where did Zack Wheeler attend college?

In the 2009 MLB draft, Zack signed with the Giants, foregoing a commitment to attend Chipola College.

Is Zack Wheeler a starting pitcher?

He is the starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.

What is Zack Wheeler’s worth?

Zack left the Mets in 2019 and signed a five-year contract worth $118 million with the Philadelphia Phillies on December 9, 2019. He is now set to be with the team until 2023. However, Wheeler’s actual net worth is still under review.