Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler has established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball. As a pitcher who has revitalized his career in Philadelphia, Wheeler has found his peak well into his 30s and isn’t slowing down yet. Wheeler hasn’t secured his first career Cy Young Award yet, but has been on the cusp numerous times and this year is no different.

The first Cy Young poll has been released and surprisingly, Wheeler isn’t getting the admiration he deserves in the early going of 2025. There’s a lot of talent in the National League, but Wheeler should be regarded higher on the list for early Cy Young favorites.

In a recent poll by MLB.com’s Jason Foster, the top pitchers in both the NL and AL were ranked after the first six weeks of the season. Here’s how the NL currently ranks thus far:

1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
2. Paul Skenes, Pirates
3. Logan Webb, Giants
T-4. Hunter Greene, Reds
T-4. Zack Wheeler, Phillies

Wheeler has finished runner-up in NL Cy Young voting twice in his career. He has been consistently dominant on the mound every year and yet all the other starters on the list that have less of a track record remain ahead of him. Wheeler in 2024 finished with a 16-7 record with 224 strikeouts in 200 innings pitched. Wheeler in 2025 so far has a 5-1 record, 2.67 ERA and a .196 batting average against, per Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia. His 0.89 WHIP currently leads the NL while his 80 strikeouts ranks second-best in the NL.

The competition will remain tough as the season wears on and when it comes to taking home the most prestigious pitching award, Wheeler will be equipped to outlast any pitcher if need be to take home his first Cy Young award. Guys like Yoshinobu Yamamoto or even his own teammate Jesús Luzardo may not keep up the pace so it could only be a matter of time before the league balances itself out and remembers that Wheeler has kept the same commanding presence on the mound each and every time he toes the rubber.

Wheeler has been doubted before when the season is still beginning. He may not come out with a flashy ERA to start every year, but what you will find is a reliable ace that takes the ball every fifth day, finishes amongst the top in innings pitched, WHIP and strikeouts. Wheeler is a top arm in the league and it’s only a matter of time before he takes his rightful spot atop the current Cy Young favorites.