WHEELER FORTUNE: Prized pitching prospect Zack Wheeler, who has overcome a rough patch with the Double-A Binghamton Mets (above), participated yesterday in the Futures Game, a showcase of the top minor leagues at All-Star Weekend in Kansas City. (©Heather Ainsworth)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Zack Wheeler was right at home yesterday on a major league mound and in a room full of minor league All-Stars. As soon as he walked into the luxurious U.S. team clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium for the Futures Game, a clubhouse aide was at his side, asking if he needed anything.
Welcome to The Almost Show.
Seventeen players who played in the Futures Game last year have made it to the majors. Wheeler figures to be one of those players next year, maybe even sooner, if the Mets decide to move him to The Show late this season.
“A lot of guys from this are making the big leagues and they are successful in it,’’ Wheeler said after overwhelming two batters in the U.S. team’s 17-5 win over the World team. “This being my second time [in a Futures Game], hopefully I’ll be able to do the same thing whenever I do get the call: Stay up there and be successful.’’
Wheeler, 22, is big league all the way.
“It’s always fun to do stuff like this and see what is all about before it actually happens,’’ a smiling Wheeler said. “It would be nice to get a taste of this life for sure, just whenever it happens, I guess.’’
Wheeler retired Indians Class A first baseman Jesus Aguilar on a soft fly to center for the last out of the eighth and Twins Double-A outfielder Oswaldo Arcia on a grounder to third to open the ninth. His first pitch was 98 mph.
“It was an honor to do something like this,’’ Wheeler said. “I heard some Mets fans out there yelling, ‘Go Wheeler!’ ’’
His catcher was Tigers prospect Rob Brantly.
“I thought that 98 was coming out so effortless,’’ Brantly told the Post. “The mound presence, plus his stuff, he looks like a mature big league pitcher. It was the easiest 98 I’ve ever caught in my life, all down in the zone.’’
When asked how close Wheeler is to the majors, Brantly didn’t hesitate.
“I’d want him on my team,’’ he answered.
The Mets’ dream of a right-hander will be living the major league dream before you know it.
Noted Double-A teammate Wilmer Flores of Wheeler: “He’s got great stuff, 99-98 [mph]. He’s going to make some money.’’
A bit of failure in some recent starts for Binghamton was just what Wheeler needed.
“I learned you have to keep your mechanics as simple as can be,” Wheeler said. “I don’t try to do too much, but the biggest thing I got out of this was that you have to hit your spots. Sometimes you can get away with it by throwing hard. But in those games they didn’t. That showed me what would happen if I was in the big leagues.
“I’m glad it happened, so I can take something from it.’’
With that kind of attitude and this kind of stuff, don’t be surprised to see Wheeler in the real All-Star Game in the future. Ninety-seven players from this game have made it to the All-Star Game since 1999.
A year ago at this time, Wheeler still was a Giants prospect. A lot has changed since he was traded for Carlos Beltran last July 28. Other teams are trying to follow the Mets’ lead when they trade a proven star, making sure they land at least one can’t-miss prospect.
Wheeler will be leaving here just as Beltran the All-Star arrives, and will head to the Double-A All-Star Game in Reading, Pa. Wheeler is a fan-friendly player who likes to tweet under the handle Wheelerpro45.
“I like to hear the questions the fans have, the comments,’’ he said. “When you are on the road forever, it’s nice to hear some people compliment you every once in a while.’’
If there is Twitter criticism, Wheeler doesn’t worry. “I scroll past it,’’ he said.
“I don’t feel any pressure,’’ added Wheeler, whose parents and two older brothers came to the Futures Game.
He shouldn’t. His future is limitless.