Beck Wheeler

Jeffrey Beck Wheeler

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 215 lb.
• School University of the Pacific, Orange Coast College, University of California-Santa Barbara
• High School St. Augustine High School

• Born December 13, 1988 in San Diego, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Relief pitcher Beck Wheeler began his professional career in 2011 after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Mets. He started his professional career at the relatively old age of 22 and, therefore, has consistently been one of the older hurlers in the leagues he's pitched in. His career almost ended before it started, as in 2007 he suffered major injuries to both legs and almost lost his life in a boating accident off the coast of southern California. He had to undergo extensive rehabilitation just to be able to walk again, and his sporting career was put on hold for a couple of years as a result.

He started off with a 0.87 ERA in 14 appearances his first season, but -- despite striking out 37 batters in 28 innings -- followed that with a 5.14 mark in 25 games the next year. In 2013, the 24-year-old had a 2.32 ERA with 19 saves and 74 Ks in 43 games (50 1/3 IP) for the Class-A Savannah Sand Gnats. He was over two years older than the average league pitcher that year. In 2014, he had a 5.88 ERA with 63 Ks in 41 1/3 frames for the St. Lucie Mets.

Despite his high ERA in 2014, he continued to climb the organizational ladder, starting 2015 with the Double-A Binghamton Mets. He pitched in AAA for the first time in 2016, with the Las Vegas 51s. He returned to Las Vegas for 2017, but after posting a 8.18 ERA in 41 appearances, was granted free agency.

Further Reading

• Betsy Helfand: "Las Vegas 51s’ Beck Wheeler reflects on boating accident that altered career", Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 6, 2017. [1]

Related Sites

• University of California-Santa Barbara bio
• University of the Pacific bio