When the history of Philadelphia Phillies baseball is eventually written, Zack Wheeler will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest pitchers ever to wear the organization’s uniform. His remarkable consistency, dominant performances, and ability to deliver in important moments have established him among the franchise’s most accomplished pitchers.
Wheeler currently ranks among the Phillies’ all-time leaders in pitching wins above replacement (rWAR), sitting behind legendary names such as Robin Roberts, Steve Carlton, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cole Hamels, and Aaron Nola. His accomplishments have been impressive, although his career in Philadelphia has also included several frustrating award disappointments.
Perhaps the most notable examples came in the National League Cy Young voting. Wheeler finished runner-up in both 2021 and 2024, narrowly missing opportunities to claim one of baseball’s most prestigious individual honors.
However, there is one achievement that deserves greater recognition whenever his Phillies career is discussed. In 2023, Wheeler ended a remarkable 42-year drought by becoming the first Philadelphia pitcher since Steve Carlton in 1981 to win a National League Gold Glove.
It was a significant accomplishment for the organization, considering how difficult it has been for Phillies pitchers to receive recognition for their defensive contributions.
Yet, Wheeler’s victory also created an interesting debate. Although he was certainly a capable defensive pitcher, there were legitimate arguments that other Philadelphia pitchers, particularly Ranger Suárez and Taijuan Walker, had stronger cases for the award that season.
THE HISTORICAL GOLD GLOVE DROUGHT IN PHILADELPHIA
Winning a Gold Glove as a pitcher has never been particularly easy. Pitchers receive fewer defensive opportunities than everyday position players, making their performances more difficult to evaluate over an entire season.
The National League’s pitching Gold Glove history was also heavily influenced by Greg Maddux, who established an extraordinary standard during his time with the Atlanta Braves.
Between 1990 and 2008, Maddux dominated the award, winning the National League Gold Glove for pitchers every season except 2003. That year, his Atlanta teammate Mike Hampton received the recognition instead.
Maddux’s remarkable consistency made it increasingly difficult for other pitchers to receive defensive recognition during that period.
Even after his dominance ended, Philadelphia continued to experience difficulties producing Gold Glove-winning pitchers.
Several talented defensive performers, including Cliff Lee, Vince Velasquez, and Ranger Suárez, failed to receive the recognition their defensive performances arguably deserved.
Wheeler finally changed that narrative in 2023, ending Philadelphia’s lengthy wait and adding another important achievement to his impressive resume.
WHY RANGER SUÁREZ DESERVED MORE ATTENTION
One of the biggest talking points surrounding the 2023 voting was Suárez’s defensive ability.
Unlike pitchers who rely primarily on their athleticism and arm strength, Suárez consistently demonstrated an impressive understanding of positioning, anticipation, and fielding fundamentals.
His defensive numbers provided additional evidence of his capabilities.
Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), although not a perfect statistic, has consistently reflected Suárez’s effectiveness. He has accumulated 31 DRS throughout his career, demonstrating his ability to contribute beyond his responsibilities on the mound.
His 2022 season was particularly impressive. Suárez recorded 31 assists, leading all MLB pitchers in that category, while also collecting 13 putouts.
Those numbers highlighted how frequently he successfully handled defensive opportunities.
There is also an argument that Suárez was a stronger defensive performer than Wheeler during the 2023 season. His overall fielding contributions made him a legitimate candidate for consideration.
TAIJUAN WALKER ALSO HAD A STRONG CASE
Walker was another Philadelphia pitcher whose defensive contributions deserved attention.
During the 2023 season, Walker recorded more assists than Wheeler and demonstrated his ability to handle defensive situations effectively.
One particularly interesting distinction involved pickoffs. Wheeler finished the season without a pickoff, while Walker recorded six.
Although pickoffs are not the only measurement of a pitcher’s defensive value, they demonstrate another important aspect of controlling the running game and contributing defensively.
Walker and Suárez therefore presented legitimate competition for Wheeler, making the eventual voting result somewhat surprising.
Jesús Luzardo, another excellent fielding pitcher, also emerged as a finalist, further highlighting the quality of defensive talent competing for the recognition.
WHY THE EYE TEST STILL MATTERS IN GOLD GLOVE VOTING
Defensive awards have traditionally involved more than statistical measurements.
The eye test remains influential, particularly when voters evaluate players whose defensive contributions are difficult to measure consistently.
Highlight-reel plays, athletic movements, and memorable defensive moments can influence perceptions of a player’s overall ability.
Derek Jeter’s five Gold Glove awards are frequently discussed in this context. Despite his reputation as an exceptional defensive shortstop, his career defensive statistics, including his minus-165 Defensive Runs Saved, generated considerable debate about whether his award recognition accurately reflected his statistical performance.
Pitchers face a different challenge because their defensive opportunities are considerably more limited.
A handful of outstanding plays can create a strong impression, even when another pitcher has accumulated better numbers across the season.
That does not mean Wheeler was undeserving. He was an excellent defensive pitcher and had every reason to celebrate his 2023 achievement.
WHEELER’S RECOGNITION WAS STILL WELL DESERVED
Ultimately, the debate surrounding Philadelphia’s 2023 Gold Glove race should not diminish Wheeler’s accomplishments.
His career has been filled with outstanding performances, and the recognition he has received arguably remains below what his overall contributions deserve.
After twice finishing second in Cy Young voting, winning a Gold Glove represented another important milestone in his Philadelphia career.
Perhaps there is also an element of poetic justice in the situation. Wheeler finally received an individual award after experiencing several frustrating near misses, even if some of his teammates arguably had stronger defensive cases that particular season.
For the Phillies, the bigger takeaway is that they have benefited from several talented defensive pitchers.
Suárez and Walker deserve recognition for their contributions, while Wheeler’s Gold Glove remains a memorable achievement in franchise history.
The debate may continue, but one thing is undeniable: Philadelphia has been fortunate to have multiple pitchers capable of making meaningful defensive contributions.
