The Giants are looking towards the future with their selection of high school pitcher Zach Wheeler with the 6th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft. Wheeler is a lanky right-handed pitcher out of Brownwood High School in Texas. He’s listed at 6′4″ and 180 lbs, so I’m sure Giants trainers are going to try to get him on a diet that will bring him up to around 200-210 lbs. Wheeler throws a variety of pitches, which will make his development a lot easier. One thing I really like about this kid is that he tends to throw his stuff down in the zone. When he misses, he misses low, which should help to keep him out of trouble against the power hitters he’s going to be facing very soon. One problem I see is in his delivery. As you’ll notice in the video I’ll post below, Wheeler has a very pronounced “inverted W” in his delivery. That’s the form his arms make right before his throwing arm whips around to deliver the ball. Pitchers who have this inverted W tend to develop elbow and shoulder problems that can nag them their entire career. If you don’t believe me, go ask Mark Prior. Assuming the Giants pitching coaches are aware of this tendency, it’s nothing they can work out.

Tags: brownsville, mlb amateur draft, pitcher, san francisco giants, texas, zach wheeler