Matt Wisler

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #1 prospect in 2015
  The Padres went over slot to sign Wisler out of Bryan (Ohio) High in the 2011 draft, signing the seventh-rounder for $500,000. They would have paid much more than that had they waited for him to complete three years at Ohio State, because his performance in pro ball suggests he would have been a first-round pick in 2014. In fact, the area scout who identified Wisler's potential and signability, Mark Conner, now serves as Padres scouting director after being promoted to the position in November. He spent 2014 as Northeast regional supervisor for the club. Wisler breezed through Class A competition and dominated in 26 career starts at Double-A San Antonio in 2013 and 2014, going 9-5, 2.80 with a strikeout rate of 9.2 batters per nine innings, before meeting his first challenge in pro ball at Triple-A El Paso in 2014. Promoted to the Pacific Coast League in early May, Wisler pitched all season at age 21, and he's actually a few weeks younger than Noah Syndergaard (Mets) and Taijuan Walker (Mariners), two fellow precocious PCL righthanders with bright futures. Triple-A batters rocked Wisler for a 6.18 ERA and 11 homers in 55 innings through his first 11 starts in the hitter-friendly league, but he rebounded in the second half, going 5-1, 3.96 with 54 strikeouts and 15 walks in 61 innings over 11 starts. Wisler tops out at 96 mph and sits 92-94 with above-average sink on his two-seamer, riding life on his four-seamer and at least average present control of his entire repertoire. His plus, low-80s slider features tight break, both lateral and vertical, and projects as a true strikeout weapon when he spots it to both sides of the plate. He must locate his breaking ball more precisely and improve his arm action on a fringe-average, fading changeup to better combat lefthanders, who hit .291 and slugged .517 against him in the PCL in 2014. He also throws a slow curveball in the low 70s for a different look. A thoughtful, analytical pitcher, Wisler can be too much of a perfectionist at times, trying to hone all his pitches in-game, rather than going with what works best that particular start. Once Wisler learns to repeat his mechanics and arm slot, scouts expect that his overall control will play as plus, and he has walked just 2.4 batters per nine innings for his career. He logged 147 innings in 2014, even with the early struggles at Triple-A, and never has missed a start as a pro. Wisler's plus fastball and slider combo give him an absolute ceiling of No. 2 starter--if his changeup and command come up to average. Most scouts, however, feel more comfortable projecting him as a durable No. 3 on a pennant contender. Wisler could make the Padres rotation with a strong spring, but he probably faces at least a month at Triple-A in 2015.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #2 prospect in 2014
  The Padres drafted five righthanders before calling Wisler's name in 2011, but the seventh-rounder has rocketed to the head of the class after forgoing an Ohio State commitment to signing for $500,000. Following a six-start tuneup at high Class A Lake Elsinore in 2013, he advanced to the Double-A San Antonio rotation and thrived as a 20-year-old, especially in the Texas League playoffs when he allowed one run in 16 innings, striking out 13. Wisler pounds both sides of the plate with a 92-93 mph heater that features plus life and solid sinking action. He can dial his fastball up to 95 mph when he needs it, though he just as effectively deploys an assortment of quality secondary pitches, including a low-80s slider that grades as plus. Just when opposing hitters begin looking for the hard stuff, Wisler will drop in an average changeup or, later in the game, a fringy mid-70s curveball. With a career walk rate of 2.3 per nine innings, he shows exceptional control for a young power pitcher, and for the second straight season he decimated righthanded batters, holding them to a .184 average and striking out one-third of them. He'll need to tighten his secondary pitches to combat lefties, who made considerably more contact while hitting .254 and slugging .421. Wisler's mental toughness, competitive streak and poise put him on the fast track, and the Padres won't back off now that he's ready for Triple-A El Paso. He has No. 2 starter upside and might be a callup candidate to San Diego in the second half of 2014.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #6 prospect in 2013
  Ohio's top high school prospect in the 2011 draft, Wisler lasted until the seventh round because of a strong commitment to Ohio State. The Padres persuaded him to sign for $500,000 bonus, believing he'd regain his stuff after he tailed off as a senior. He did just that in 2012, wowing Midwest League observers with premium velocity and a hammer curveball. Wisler pitches with a 91-93 mph fastball that tops out at 96 with heavy sink down in the zone, while showing a feel for when to deploy two strong secondary offerings. He found the zone more often as the year progressed with both a 75-79 mph curveball and a low-80s, fading changeup that he sells with solid arm speed. Wisler's athleticism and clean arm action help him command both pitches, and he completely owned Midwest League righties, notching 71 strikeouts against five walks in 242 plate appearances. He led the minors in home run rate (one in 114 innings), a testament to his skill at working down in the zone. Wisler's stuff could make him a mid-rotation starter or better, and the Padres are equally excited about his command and work ethic. He'll need both to survive the rigors of the California League in 2013.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #17 prospect in 2015
  Wisler was the centerpiece prospect the Braves acquired when they traded Craig Kimbrel to the Padres on Opening Day. He stumbled out of the gate at Gwinnett, posting a 6.75 ERA in four April starts. Wisler settled down after that and did a better job pitching down in the strike zone, but he lacked consistency. Gwinnett manager Brian Snitker described Wisler "as learning on the job" this season and praised him for his work ethic. Inconsistency followed Wisler to the majors following his late-June callup, and the 22-year-old was briefly sent to the bullpen to clear his head from what Wisler described as a crisis of confidence. Wisler pitches to contact with a 92-94 mph four-seam fastball that can jump on hitters and a low-90s sinker that induces groundballs. His main strikeout weapon is a plus slider that became more effective as he did a better job pitching down in the zone. His changeup remains behind his other offerings.
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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #18 prospect in 2014
  One of the youngest pitchers in the PCL, Wisler got hit hard early in the season before finding his footing in July and going 5-1, 3.96 in 11 starts with nearly four times as many strikeouts (54) as walks (15) the rest of the way. Wisler tops out at 96 mph but pitches comfortably at 92-94 mph with sink. A strike-zone filler with a solid delivery, Wisler also throws a tight slider and a fading change that flashes plus potential. He also mixes in a slow curve in the mid-70s. "He's a special talent," El Paso manager Pat Murphy said. "He's pretty young for this league (and) he's done well. The heater's good and low and has movement." One criticism from a rival scout is the inconsistency of Wisler's arm slot, which he attributes to a lack of movement in his lower half. That can lead to his changeup being flat. The scout projected Wisler as a No. 3 starter.
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  Ranked Texas League #5 prospect in 2013
  Wisler opened the season at high Class A, reached the Texas League on May 12, and then went about establishing himself as one of the elites on what was arguably the deepest pitching staff in the circuit. It was a heady effort considering Wisler only two years ago was an Ohio high schooler kicking the tires on going to Ohio State. He eventually signed for $500,000, notched 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings in his first full year in low Class A ball and fit right in in the TL a year later. The righthander commanded his fastball to both sides of the plate, running it in at 92-94 mph and often low in the zone. His out-pitch was a low-80s slider, and he showed the makings of an effective changeup when batters were geared up for his heater. He also spins a curveball for a different look, but it?s a fourth pitch. Wisler dominated in August, allowing one run in his first five starts before a final-game clunker. He then went toe to toe against Foltneywicz, allowing two runs, one earned, covering 6 1/3 innings in San Antonio?s playoff opener.
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  Ranked Midwest League #9 prospect in 2012
  Wisler spent most of his high school senior season throwing high-80s fastballs and mediocre breaking balls, which dropped him to the seventh round of the 2011 draft. The Padres signed him for $500,000 and were rewarded with the most pleasant surprise in the MWL, as he topped out at 96 mph and had one of the best curveballs in the league. "He has maturity and mound presence beyond his years," the NL scout said. "He doesn't get rattled when he gets into jams, and he pitches his way out of it. Not to mention, he has three legitimate pitches and he mixes them all." Wisler usually works at 91-93 mph with hard sink on his fastball and throws his curve for strikes in any count. He also can keep lefthanders at bay with his changeup. Some scouts have minor quibbles with his delivery, but he fills the bottom of the strike zone and had the best home run rate in the league (1 in 114 innings).

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #34 prospect in 2015
• Ranked Baseball America's #44 prospect in 2014

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The top high school prospect in the state of Ohio for the 2011 draft, Wisler lasted until the seventh round because of a strong commitment to Ohio State. The Padres persuaded him to forego the Big Ten Conference for a $500,000 bonus, believing he'd regain his stuff after he tailed off as a senior. He did just that in 2012, wowing Midwest League observers with premium velocity and a hammer curveball. Scouting Report: Wisler pitches with a 91-93 mph fastball that tops out at 96 with heavy sink down in the zone, while showing a feel for when to deploy two strong secondary offerings. He found the zone more often as the year progressed with both a 75-79 mph curveball and a low-80s, fading changeup that he sells with solid arm speed. Wisler's athleticism and clean arm action help him command both pitches, and he completely owned Midwest League righties, notching 71 strikeouts against five walks in 242 plate appearances. Wisler led the minors in home run rate (one in 114 innings), a testament to his skill at working down in the zone. The Future: Wisler's stuff could make him a mid-rotation starter or better, and the Padres are equally excited about his command and work ethic. He'll need both to survive the rigors of the California League in 2013.