Zack Wheeler is showing why he's more than an All-Star snub

Despite being snubbed from playing in his fourth All-Star Game in his 12-year career, Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler has proven to be one of the best pitchers in the National League. Coming into the second half of the season off two dominant starts (13.0 innings, six hits, one earned run and 24 strikeouts), "Wheels" has risen to the No. 2 spot in MLB's recent power rankings for starting pitchers. 

Zack Wheeler rises from eight to two in MLB's starting pitcher power rankings

Missing almost all of April due to his recovery from thoracic outlet surgery, Wheeler previously ranked eighth in MLB.com's starting pitchers' power rankings. But now he has risen to the No. 2 slot thanks to a dominant return, posting a sub-2.60 ERA in each month.

May: 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings 

June: 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings

July: 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings

According to Phillies first baseman and nine-time All-Star Bryce Harper, once the club got its ace back on April 25, the rest of the roster took notice: 

“Once we got Wheels back, I think everybody kind of took a deep breath,” Harper said to the Associated Press. “That helped a lot of our other starting pitching kind of just fall into place.” 

Thanks to Wheeler and the Phillies' other ace, Cristopher Sanchez, stabilizing the starting rotation, the team owns the 11th-best starters' ERA (4.09).  

Zack Wheeler's rise in the rankings and All-Star snub should fuel him moving forward

"Disrespected" and hurt from not being able to pitch in his home ballpark (Citizens Bank Park), Major League Baseball, but the National League in particular, could see the 36-year-old add to his Cy Young case. Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who was No. 1 in the rankings, is the favorite to win the award, with a 10-4 record and an MLB-leading 1.62 ERA. 

Despite not being qualified due to his innings, Wheeler's stats rank among the best in baseball; his ERA (2.13) would be the third-best in MLB, his batting average against (.185) would be second and he is in the top 10 for the fewest home runs allowed (10). 

Atlanta Braves left-hander and former Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (2024) -- Sale is also a competitor for the award this season -- referred to Wheeler as "one of the best pitchers in our game" and thought he should have been an All-Star ahead of him.