In 2011, Wheeler began the season with the Nashville Sounds of the Class AAAPacific Coast League, but missed two months due to an injured posterior cruciate ligament.[8] He played for both Nashville and Huntsville in 2011.[9] After the 2011 season, Wheeler was assigned to the Arizona Fall League. He began to catch bullpen sessions. The Brewers also added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft. However, the Brewers signed Aramis Ramírez to a three-year contract to become the Brewers' third basemen, blocking Wheeler.[7]
Playing for Guasave in the 2013–14 offseason, Wheeler was named player of the week on November 11.[17] He finished the MPL season tied for second in home runs and third in runs batted in (RBIs).[4]
New York Yankees
Wheeler signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, receiving an invitation to spring training in 2014.[18] In camp, Wheeler competed with Eduardo Núñez, Yangervis Solarte, Dean Anna, and Scott Sizemore for a reserve infielder role with the Yankees.[19] The Yankees promoted Anna, and assigned Wheeler to minor league camp.[20] The Yankees assigned Wheeler to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the International League to start the 2014 season.[21] Wheeler suffered a back injury on April 10, and went on the disabled list (DL).[22][23] After missing 18 days, he returned to bat .299 with seven home runs in 66 games.[24][25][26]
On July 2, 2014, the Yankees promoted Wheeler to the major leagues.[27] Making his major league debut the next day, Wheeler got his first major league hit, a home run, in his second at bat.[28][29] Wheeler batted 8-for-30 (.267) with two home runs and three RBIs in 16 games for the Yankees, before he was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on August 1 following the Yankees acquisitions of Martín Prado and Stephen Drew.[28][30][31] The Yankees recalled Wheeler on August 21, when they placed Carlos Beltrán on the DL with an elbow injury.[32]
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
On November 20, 2014, the Yankees sold Wheeler to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League.[33][34] In 2015, Wheeler slashed .255/.339/.453 with 14 home runs and 50 RBI for the team. The next year, Wheeler improved his performance, slashing .265/.351/.478 with a staggering 27 home runs and 88 RBI. In 2017, Wheeler batted .271/.343/.493 with 31 home runs and 82 RBI. Wheeler signed a two-year contract extension worth ¥400 million (approximately $3.5 million) in October 2017, the deal includes incentives and a club option for the 2020 season.[35] In 2018, Wheeler hit .269/.337/.432 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI in 106 games. In 117 games for the Eagles in 2019, Wheeler batted .243/.320/.418 with 19 home runs and 67 RBI. On December 3, 2019, Wheeler signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Eagles.[36]
Yomiuri Giants
On June 25, 2020, Wheeler was traded to the Yomiuri Giants for pitcher Shun Ikeda.[37] In 98 games for Yomiuri, Wheeler batted .247/.309/.418 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI.[38]
On December 26, 2021, Wheeler re-signed with the Giants for the 2022 season.[39] On April 18, 2022, Wheeler was sent down to the Giants' farm team after hitting .160 in 13 games.[40]