Tim Wheeler (baseball)

Tim Wheeler
Outfielder
Born: (1988-01-21) January 21, 1988 (age 36)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Timothy Scott Wheeler (born January 21, 1988) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round, 32nd overall, of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He played college baseball at Sacramento State.

Amateur career

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Wheeler attended El Camino Fundamental High School in Sacramento, California. He was a two-sport athlete, playing in the outfield for the baseball team and playing quarterback and defensive back in football.[1]

Wheeler played college baseball at Sacramento State University.[2] In 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[3][4] In 2009, he was named a second team All-American by Baseball America after hitting .385 with 18 home runs and 72 runs batted in.[5]

Professional career

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Wheeler was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round, 32nd overall, of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.[6][7] He made his professional debut with the Tri-City Dust Devils, playing in 68 games and hitting .256 with 5 home runs and 35 RBI. Prior to the 2010 season, he was ranked as the Rockies' seventh best prospect by Baseball America.[8] Wheeler spent the 2010 season with the High-A Modesto Nuts, playing in 129 games and hitting .249/.341/.384 with 12 home runs, 63 RBI, and 22 stolen bases.[9]

He played in 138 games with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers in 2011, batting .287/.365/.535 with career-highs in home runs (33) and RBI (86), and 21 stolen bases.[1] Prior to the 2012 season, Baseball America rated him the Rockies' fifth best prospect.[10] However, he suffered a fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand only a few days into the season. He missed significant time that season, finishing with a .303 batting average and 2 home runs in 92 games for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox.[1]

On November 20, 2012, the Rockies added Wheeler to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. [11] He played in 109 games with Colorado Springs in 2013, hitting .262/.330/.355 with 5 home runs, 42 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. On November 27, 2013, Wheeler was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A.[12]

Wheeler spent a third straight season with Colorado Springs in 2014, making 119 appearances and slashing .233/.313/.387 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, and 9 stolen bases.[13] In 2015, Wheeler played in 124 games for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, batting .245/.345/.367 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2015.[14]

Coaching career

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On May 21, 2016, Wheeler joined the Humboldt Crabs as the team’s hitting coach, working alongside manager Tyson Fisher and pitching coach Eric Giacone.[15]

From 2017 to 2019, Wheeler was the outfield and hitting coach at Sacramento State, his alma mater, serving under head coach Reggie Christiansen.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Pleskoff, Bernie (October 14, 2013). "Prospect Wheeler boasts big league potential". MLB.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "Cape League Extra: Wheeler strong all around". capecodtimes.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  3. ^ "2008 Orleans Cardinals". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ^ "East All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2008". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "BaseballAmerica.com: College: Awards: All-America Teams: 2009 College All-Americans". baseballamerica.com. June 12, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  6. ^ "Rox sign Draft choice Wheeler". Colorado Rockies. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  7. ^ "Prep Blog". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  8. ^ "BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: Colorado Rockies: Top 10 Prospects". baseballamerica.com. November 30, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  9. ^ "Wheeler, Brothers Lead Nuts 2010 Roster". oursportscentral.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  10. ^ "BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: 2012 Colorado Rockies Top 10 Prospects". baseballamerica.com. November 30, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  11. ^ "Rockies roster moves: Tim Wheeler added to 40-man, Andrew Brown outrighted". denver.sbnation.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  12. ^ "Rockies lose Rafael Ortega to Rangers; outright Tim Wheeler off of 40-man roster". purplerow.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "Tim Wheeler Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "Tim Wheeler Stats, Fantasy & News". milb.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "Former Colorado Rockies first-round pick Tim Wheeler joins Humboldt Crabs coaching staff". times-standard.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  16. ^ "Tim Wheeler - Assistant Coach - Baseball Coaches - Sacramento State". hornetsports.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
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