Jim Bowden of The Athletic just dropped a bomb: Zack Wheeler, that 36-year-old righty for the Phillies, is predicted to snag the NL Comeback Player of the Year award this season. And honestly? It makes perfect sense, even if it feels a little wild, especially when you consider his recent outings.
From The Operating Table To Comeback King?
Wheeler’s path to this prediction is straight out of a movie script, or maybe a nightmare followed by a redemption arc. Last August, he went under the knife for thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. That’s no small deal for a pitcher! To come back and be successful, let alone be in contention for an award, is seriously impressive. Bowden’s picking Wheeler over Sandy Alcantara for Comeback Player, specifically pointing to the more severe nature of Wheeler’s injury and his overall better production this season. It’s a tight race, for sure, but Bowden’s reasoning hits home: “This is actually a close race, as both Wheeler and Alcantara have had great comeback seasons,” Bowden writes. He even admits, “Lately, Wheeler has struggled a bit but has still had a more vintage Wheeler season than anyone could have reasonably expected given the surgery he had last fall to address thoracic outlet syndrome.” That’s the truth right there.
The Numbers Tell A Story Of Highs And Recent Lows
So, why isn’t Wheeler battling Cristopher Sanchez and Jacob Misiorowski for the NL Cy Young? It’s all about those recent starts. While his overall return has been a big success, those last six outings have been… rough. We’re talking an 8.51 ERA in just 24.1 innings pitched, with a brutal 0-3 record in that stretch. Yikes. That’s a far cry from his first 16 starts this season, where he dominated with a 10-2 record, a sparkling 2.16 ERA, and 117 strikeouts across 100 innings. If that kind of production was spread out evenly, there’d be nothing but positive vibes. Still, his season-long numbers are solid: a 3.40 ERA, 10-5 record, and 3.7 bWAR. It’s that huge contrast between the first two thirds of his season and this recent slump that defines his comeback.
Meanwhile, Cal Raleigh Is On Track For Unwanted History
And speaking of wild seasons, our own Cal Raleigh is staring down some MLB history, though not the kind anyone wants to make. The Mariners’ catcher is currently on track to hit the fewest home runs after a 60+ homer season in MLB history. That’s a gut punch, right? After a monstrous power year, seeing him struggle to launch dingers is tough for us in the Emerald City. You just hope he can turn it around and avoid that kind of stat for the M’s.
It’s clear Wheeler’s journey has been a rollercoaster, from an amazing start post-surgery to some recent concerning outings. But Bowden’s prediction of NL Comeback Player of the Year really highlights the incredible mental and physical grind Wheeler has pushed through. For Cal, we’re all just holding our breath, hoping to see him unleash that power we know he’s got.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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