After posting one of the top pitching seasons in Philadelphia Phillies history, starter Zack Wheeler has officially been recognized as one of the league’s best in 2021.
The right-hander was named a finalist for this year’s National League Cy Young Award, presented annually for the most outstanding performance in each league. Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes and Max Scherzer, who played for the Nationals and Dodgers, were also voted finalists in the NL.
Wheeler threw a major-league-leading 213 1/3 innings this year in 32 starts, also tying for the most complete games (3) and shutouts (2). His 247 strikeouts on the season were second-highest in the majors and tops in the NL, while he was fifth in both the majors and the league in ERA (2.