MLB Analyst believes Zach Wheeler will eventually get used to the pitch clock despite current discontent

On ESPN's First Take, Michael Kay talked about how the Phillies' Zach Wheeler, who had initially shown discontent with the new rule changes, would eventually settle in and have to accept them. He said it was important to make the sport more interesting and fast-paced so that people of all generations are invested in it.

Zach Wheeler is the Philadelphia Phillies' starting pitcher. Previously with the New York Mets, Wheeler moved to Philadelphia in 2020. He had a brilliant 2021 season, finishing second in the National League's Cy Young Award. In 2022, he was 12-7 with a 2.82 ERA in 153 innings with 163 strikeouts.

Previously, Wheeler had voiced his opinion about the new rule changes that came in starting this season. It had mostly to do with the Pitcher's clock which has been introduced as a measure to speed up the game. Michael Kay disagreed with him, stating that the sport needed it and Wheeler would eventually be used to it.

"The game has slowed down too much. If you remember, when we were growing up we used to point out about Mike Hargrove, we called him the Human Rain Delay because he used to step out everytime. It is different then and now everyone does it. So 15 seconds between pitches isn't asking too much." Bay said

He added:

"I think the players are all in it. Zach Wheeler of the Phillies does't like it, feels that he is too rushed, well he is going to get used to it. This is what the game needs."

Zach Wheeler unveils new sweeper during Spring Training

In a Spring Training match between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays, Zach Wheeler unveiled a new sweeper to add to his already distinct set of arsenals from last season.

In the match, which the Phillies won 7-2, Wheeler showed his sweeper which he thinks is somewhere between his traditional slider and curveball.

“Just mixing it in here and there,” Zach Wheeler said after the match. “It’s more of a slurve, it’s just something else to throw in. I try to bring something new to the table every year, whether it’s throwing the same pitch in a different location that I haven’t thrown it before, or this year it’s a new pitch. It’s going to be a different look a little bit this year, but that’s always a good thing.”

Wheeler was definitely not feeling the effects of the rule changes as he pitched two scoreless innings. The Phillies are currently 4-2 in the Grapefruit League, sitting third behind the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.