The first entry in our Due Diligence series is with high school phenom and Giants 2009 First Round Pick, Zack Wheeler.
Zack was gracious enough to sit down and answer some questions for AZGIANTS and you, the fans.
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AZG: Thanks Zack, for taking the time to answer some questions. First off, you absolutely dominated high school batters last year going 9-0, with an opponent BA of .118, striking out 151 and only giving up 20 walks, and oh yeah… throwing a No Hitter. Those numbers are ridiculous. Could you speak a little bit about keeping the hitters off balance and what your approach was?
Zack Wheeler - My approach was to do the best that I could every game I went out and put my team in a spot to win the game. In high school it helps to throw hard, but it also doesn’t because you use it more then any other pitch which means that you don’t develop your other pitches as fast as you would like. But i have been working on them all the time and i think i have a plus curveball and change up now.
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AZG: On draft day, you had 4 teams really interested in you, the Pirates, Orioles, Giants, and Braves. What was it like putting on the Orange and Black hat and knowing you were joining one of the most storied franchises in baseball history?
Zack Wheeler - It was a great feeling to get drafted in the first place. Being a guy from Georgia, I really didn’t know that much about the Giants, but i have learned a lot about the team and their historic past with all the great players and accomplishments. I’m proud to be a Giant and look forward to carrying the tradition.
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AZG: At the end of the High School season, you had a decent amount of time before the start of Instructional league, was it tough to not pitch for several months routinely and then jump back in?
Zack Wheeler - Yes it was very tough not to pitch for a few months and then go face live hitters in instructs because i hadn’t faced live hitters since high school season ended. But during those few months i was throwing bullpens and at the same time trying to imagine batters at the plate.
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AZG: We have video of your first professional outing against the Brewers where you went 2 shut out innings. Was there a huge difference from High School hitters or even All American hitters to those in Instructs from your perspective? Was there any changes to your approach from high school?
Zack Wheeler - You knew that there was a big difference because everybody can hit from 1-9 in the lineup, but i expected that in the first place. I just tried to go out and do my best, rely on my stuff and help the team win.
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AZG: The Giants limited the amount of games you pitched in Instructional league, to allow more work on the side, what were you working on?
Zack Wheeler - Like i said before, I hadn’t faced live hitting since high school so we were working on game situations. They really haven’t seen me pitch and so they also wanted to see me before they just stuck me out there in professional ball.
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AZG: The Giants have turned into an organization that builds from within and has a major focus on pitching. Sabean has said you are on the same fast track as Lincecum, Cain, and Bumgarner. Is the ultimate goal to get to the Bigs as fast as possible?
Zack Wheeler - My goal is to make it to the majors and be successful as long as possible and help my team win, but it would be nice to move up fast of course.
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AZG: On that same note, you were just selected as the #3 prospect within the Giants organization by Baseball America, right behind Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner. Congratulations! Do you keep track of lists and acclamations like these and do they motivate you or is the focus solely on ball?
Zack Wheeler - First off, thank you. You know, I really don’t even pay any attention to that stuff. I do hear it from friends and family though, its nice and cool to hear, but you still have to go out there and perform day in and day out to be good.
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AZG: Could you please describe your mentality on the mound for the people who haven’t seen you pitch?
Zack Wheeler - I go out on the mound to do my job and that’s to get people out and put my team in a place to win the ball game. When you are in front of a lot of people and they are all yelling at you, you cant let it get in your head good or bad. I like to have fun out there, but at the same time I have to do my job.
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AZG: Who would be your biggest influence in pitching, and how have they help/coached/inspired you on the diamond?
Zack Wheeler - I think it’s my family because they all have played many sports and they know what goes on during game play. My middle brother played in the Yankees minor league system for four years and he learned a lot. He came back and taught me a lot about baseball and the mental side of it. I also give it to all my past coaches who put me out there on the field because if they didn’t I couldn’t have gotten better and be where I’m at today.
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AZG: You got a chance to fly up to SF for a conditioning camp, did they have you throw at all?
Zack Wheeler - We tossed if we wanted to but the main reason we went there was to learn the off-season workout program, learn how to do it the right way and learn from who I think are the best trainers and strength coaches in baseball. They are very personal and do whats best for you and understand that what’s good for someone else isn’t necessarily the best thing for you.
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AZG: Did you have a chance to see the city, what did you like about it?
Zack Wheeler - Some people went to see more of the city then others, but i just walked around down town and that was a good experience. The city is crazy just like Atlanta, but I see myself there.
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AZG: No doubt the fastball has been your bread and butter along with the curve/slurve and occasional change up. Are there any other pitches you are working on and wanting to add?
Zack Wheeler - Yeah it definitely has, but now that I have been working, the curve and change have improved and are good pitches. But no, there are no other pitches that I’m working on or anything at this time.
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AZG: Lastly, You’ll find that Giants fans know our system and support our players whole heartedly. You have been the #1 request from fans to get more information about leading into the 2010 season. Is there anything you’d like to say to the fans?
Zack Wheeler - Yeah, I will do my best to help any team I’m on to win and be successful. Just come out to help us do that. Ive heard from other players in different levels that the fans are good and very into their team, which I like a lot!
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AZG: Thanks again Zack! I know the fans do really appreciate it, can’t wait to see you at the corner of Third and King, and wish you all the best in 2010 and beyond.
To watch Zack in action, check out his pro debut, provided by AZGIANTS.com here and here
