MLB

Mets prospect Wheeler impressive, but ‘still has a way to go’

BINGHAMTON — Zack Wheeler shattered two bats and hit 98 mph on the radar gun yesterday, and it was only 10:45 in the morning.

This, though, was to be his worst outing of the season for the Double-A Binghamton Mets. Imagine Wheeler on a really good day. Go ahead and dream big, Mets fans.

When Wheeler does arrive at Citi Field, the Mets will be getting a young man with a lightning bolt for a right arm, but just as importantly, he is grounded emotionally.

One scout at the game, whose team is loaded with young pitching, told The Post: “I can’t tell you how many really good pitchers I’ve seen struggle with an early start time like this because it throws off their whole routine, especially this far into the season. It’s not like he’s just coming out of spring training and has to have a morning start.’’

The game started at 10:35 a.m. at NYSEG Stadium because of a wonderful promotion with area schools. Thousands of children filled the ballpark with their special brand of energy.

This was basically recess disguised as a baseball game.

“It was early and I’m definitely not a morning person,’’ Wheeler said after surrendering three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out three over six innings and 102 pitches in the B-Mets’ 8-5 win over the Reading Phillies. “I don’t know if I ever pitched this early before.’’

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The scout went on to say Wheeler has the kind of “live arm’’ every club seeks, but what really caught his eye was Wheeler was a solid “95-96 [mph] near the end’’ of his outing.

“He still has a way to go with his secondary stuff and his command,’’ the scout added.

That’s why Wheeler, who just turned 22, is in Double-A. He is learning his craft after coming over from the Giants last July 28 in the big trade for Carlos Beltran. Wheeler is 6-2 with a 1.92 ERA, but he is not yet ready for New York. A year from now you can expect him to be knocking on the door. The change-up needs work, not only in technique, but learning when to throw it, and the breaking ball is not nearly as sharp as it needs to be. His fastball is so explosive that the long and lean Wheeler should be wearing “Can’t Miss’’ on the back of his uniform, not No. 45, but he needs to command that pitch.

Here’s the best part, though: Wheeler said he never will give in to adversity.

“I’m not a quitter,’’ the

6-foot-4, 185-pound Wheeler told The Post. “I’m not going to go out there and just because I can’t throw a strike and I give up a few hits … say, ‘Oh man, it’s not my day.’ I’m going to battle and at least think about making quality pitches and keeping my team in it. I’m a competitive person. I really didn’t like my performance today, but I was happy with my six innings.’’

Wheeler’s parents, Elaine and Barry, came up from Georgia yesterday to see the youngest of their three sons pitch.

“I’m a grounded guy because of my family,’’ Wheeler said.

He gets his talent from his mom, who was a softball player, and dad, a pitcher who continued to play in area men’s leagues for 15 years. Barry Wheeler is quick to note that Elaine was the one who had the really, really good arm. How hard could she throw? “Most of the other girls and even some of the guys were afraid to play catch with her. She could fling it,’’ Barry said.

She could fling it so hard, she broke some fingers.

Barry points to when Zack was 15 and cut from a prominent travel team in the baseball factory that is East Cobb as to the turning point in his son’s pitching career.

“He took off from there and everyone started to notice him,’’ Barry said.

Added Elaine, “He used getting cut as added determination, he had something to prove.’’

Big brother Adam, 29, spent four years in the Yankees’ organization as a pitcher and has been a guiding light. Biggest brother Jacob, 31, has been vital to Zack’s success in a different way.

“Jacob has a heart condition,’’ Zack said. “He’s been an inspiration to me. He tells me that I am blessed with such a good arm, just go out there and perform. He was a good athlete, he had tons of talent, but he couldn’t go any further with it because of his heart. That pushes me. That’s why I go out there and compete every time. I live with him in the offseason and we just sit around and talk all the time.’’

Understand, Zack Wheeler is not just pitching for himself.

Wheeler’s fluid motion is a work in progress. The Giants wanted him to slow down, but that wasn’t his deal.

“I’m long and loose, I have to get going. When I’m slow, I’m leaking out, my arm drags, a little bit like today,’’ Wheeler said, demonstrating his arching motion. “I like to bring my hands down, step up and bring my hands up high, dropping my hands from way up here and just get going.’’

The Mets will let him grow.

“I think the Mets are not going to rush me,’’ Wheeler said. “I don’t worry about it. When it happens, it happens.’’

Make no mistake, it’s going to happen. He is the Mets’ ace of the future, and when it does, Zack Wheeler will be ready for the bright lights of the major leagues and a normal starting time.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com