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Zack Wheeler (Photo: Aflac)


Biographical Data
Player Name:Zack Wheeler
Position:Starting Pitcher
School:East Paulding (Ga.)
School Type:High school
Academic Class:Senior
Birthdate:5/30/90
Height:6'4"
Weight:170 lbs.
Bats:Switch
Throws:Right
Report Date(s):3/6/09
Game(s):LaGrange Invitational, Ga.


Focus Area
Comments
Fastball:Wheeler has great arm strength and can get the fastball up to 95 mph. He sits at around 90-93 mph.
Fastball movement:It has plenty of life, with a close to low three-quarter arm slot that creates a good angle, especially against right-handed hitters. He throws it down in the zone with sink.
Curve:He flashes a plus curve, but it's not consistent in the strike zone. He throws it 78-80 mph.
Changeup:He doesn't really throw it, but he has shown some feel for it and could develop into an average pitch.
Control:His command is in and out. His fastball command was better than with his curve. Inconsistency with delivery causes the disruption in command.
Poise:He threw well in a good, competitive atmosphere. When his command leaves him, he manages to collect himself and get out of trouble.
Physical Description:Wheeler is tall with long arms and broad shoulders -- the kind of body you want from a high school pitcher, with projectability and wiry strength.
Medical Update:Healthy.
Strengths:He has big-time arm strength and flashes a plus curve. He's a baseball rat with excellent makeup.
Weaknesses: His command is inconsistent, especially with the breaking ball. His delivery is inconsistent. He doesn't really show a third pitch as of yet.
Summary:If you like projectable high school pitchers with a lot of arm strength -- and a lot of teams do -- then Wheeler might be the guy for you. The Georgia prepster has plenty of fastball and does show a plus breaking ball at times. Because of some delivery issues, his command can be spotty, but he's an excellent athlete with terrific poise and makeup. He might be a little bit of a project, but the upside is considerable.

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