Dec. 13, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Former Lion Ryan Wheeler continues to thrive in professional baseball playing in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Wheeler was most recently listed as the ninth-best prospect in Arizona's organization according to MLB.com's Draft and Prospect Expert Jonathan Mayo.

Mayo writes, "The D-backs seem to have an ability to develop hitters who may not generate a ton of prospect buzz but turn into very valuable big leaguers (see Goldschmidt, Paul). Wheeler, largely a first baseman in college, has worked to become a third baseman over the past two seasons and had a solid season with Double-A Mobile. He's got a good approach at the plate and finished fourth in the Southern League in RBIs before driving in eight more during Mobile's championship run. Whether he can man the hot corner long-term remains to be seen, though Arizona does have a glut of corner infield type bats in the system."

To be eligible for the list, a player must have rookie eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.

Wheeler hit .294 with 30 doubles and 16 home runs to accompany 89 RBI playing for Double-A Mobile last season. In three years of professional baseball, Wheeler has batted .302 with 79 double, 34 home runs and 197 RBI. He was also named 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League Position Player of the Year.

Before being drafted, Wheeler, a 2009 Wallace Watch List player and an All-WCC selection, finished his junior year as the team-leader in doubles with 20 and hit-by-pitches with 12. His .547 slugging percentage, .427 on base percentage, 48 RBI, 74 hits, 61 runs scored, three triples, nine home runs, 33 walks, 127 total bases and five stolen bases all ranked second on the team. In conference games alone, he batted .337 with 17 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, three home runs and 18 RBI. He slugged .566 and reached base at a .455 clip while swiping three bags on the bases. He collected 22 multiple-hit games to finish second on the team in that category, while also posting 14 multiple-RBI games. That mark, which included two three-RBI and two four-RBI games, also placed him second on the team. Also working hard in the classroom, Wheeler was named CoSIDA Academic All-District.

For a complete list of the Arizona Diamondbacks' Top-10 Prospects, please click the following link:
Arizona Diamondbacks Top-10 Prospects

To view Ryan Wheeler's MiLB player profile, please click the following link:
Wheeler's MiLB Player Profile