Zack Wheeler
Number four on this list is another Met, Zack Wheeler. While trade rumors surrounded this talented right-hander throughout the summer, Wheeler did finish out his resurgent season still pitching for the Mets.
In 2018, Wheeler completed his first full season since 2014, while also posting career-best strikeout and walk numbers. Wheeler has excellent velocity on his fastball, averaging nearly 96 mph, and even better effective velocity at 97 mph.
While his fastball has a middling spin rate, it excels in every other category. He gets really good movement on his fastball and generates a ton of ground balls at 43%. The excellent ground ball rate coupled with his very good 23% whiff rate helped him limit opposing batters to just a .307 xwOBA against his fastball.
Wheeler will attempt to put together two good, healthy seasons in a row in 2019 before hitting free agency at season’s end. If he can do that he should be in store for a hearty pay-day as he has some of the best stuff in the game when he is healthy and on the mound, and he will be just 29 entering free agency.