PORT ST. LUCIE — Get ready for a Zack Attack.
Prized pitching prospect Zack Wheeler is prepared to give it his best shot to make the Mets’ rotation this spring, but no matter what happens, he knows he is here to learn.
“I’m ready to get going, I’m definitely looking forward to it,’’ the young right-hander told The Post yesterday as he showed up early at Mets camp. “This is a big opportunity for me. I’m just going in with open eyes, open ears. This is my first big league camp, so I am going to try to learn some stuff.
“If the opportunity comes where I have the chance to make the team, that would be awesome, but I’m not really going to think about that,’’ said Wheeler, who struck out 148 batters last season in 149 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. “I’m just going to go out there and do the best I can, and that’s what I prepared for this offseason.’’
Wheeler, 22, worked hard on improving his command.
“I want to put everything together and make myself a complete pitcher,’’ he said.
When Wheeler gets to the major league clubhouse he will notice he is being paired up with fellow young righty Matt Harvey in many ways.
Their lockers are side by side. Wheeler will be wearing No. 65. The Mets want Wheeler to learn from Harvey, and Wheeler is excited to be paired up with the hard-charging Harvey, who was going down this same path just a year ago.
“I told him he is going to have to help me out, learning the ropes and everything,’’ Wheeler said. “He said he’s got me covered this spring. He’ll let me tag along.’’
Harvey turns 24 next month. He made 10 starts for the Mets last season after being called up at the end of July. He was 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA as he struck out 70 batters over 59 1/3 innings.
Wheeler, who was acquired in exchange for Carlos Beltran, said he will not let expectations get in his way.
“I’m a nice, relaxed, chill guy,’’ the Georgia native said. “I’m here to do my job. We’re not here to save the world or anything. My job is to go out there and pitch every fifth day and try to help the team win.’’
Terry Collins said he is not going to put extra pressure on Wheeler.
“I learned my lesson with Harvey last year,’’ the manager explained. “We don’t want to build it up too much. Just go out there and pitch. He and Matt are going to get to know each other in spring training. Matt will really be able to help him out. I’m going to keep an open mind, but I’m just going to let [Wheeler] go out there and pitch.’’