Joey Wentz

American baseball player (born 1997)

Baseball player
Joey Wentz
Wentz with the Erie SeaWolves in 2021
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 34
Pitcher
Born: (1997-10-06) October 6, 1997 (age 26)
Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 11, 2022, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through August 29, 2024)
Win–loss record5–17
Earned run average5.81
Strikeouts185
Teams
  • Detroit Tigers (2022–2024)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates (2024–present)

Joseph Barrett Wentz (born October 6, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers. The Atlanta Braves selected Wentz with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft and traded him to the Tigers in 2019, with whom he made his MLB debut for in 2022.

Early life

Wentz was born on October 6, 1997, to Dave and Jenny Wentz. He first met Riley Pint in second grade, and the two became friends.[1]

Wentz attended Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas. He was named the Sunflower League Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016, his junior and senior years.[2] Wentz won the 2015 Junior Home Run Derby at the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, hitting one home run that traveled 543 feet (166 m).[3][4]

Professional career

Atlanta Braves

Wentz committed to the University of Virginia.[5][6] He had been scouted by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams prior to the 2016 MLB draft.[7] Considered a likely first round pick,[8] the Atlanta Braves selected him in the first Competitive Balance round, with the 40th overall selection.[9] Wentz chose to sign with the Braves for $3.05 million rather than attend college.[10] Wentz started his career with the Gulf Coast Braves of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and was later promoted to the Danville Braves of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. He finished the 2016 season with a 1–4 win–loss record, 3.68 earned run average, and 53 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. Wentz spent 2017 with the Rome Braves, posting an 8–3 record with a 2.60 ERA in 26 starts,[11] and 2018 with the Florida Fire Frogs where he was 3–4 with a 2.28 ERA in 16 starts.[11]

Detroit Tigers

On July 31, 2019, the Braves traded Wentz and Travis Demeritte to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Shane Greene.[12] In his first full season at the Double–A level, Wentz went 7–8 with a 4.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 128+2⁄3 innings.

Wentz did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] He did not participate in the Tigers' alternate training site during the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. On November 20, 2020, the Tigers added Wentz to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[14] He was optioned to the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens to begin the 2021 season. Working his way back from surgery, Wentz pitched a total of 18 games with the Single–A Lakeland Flying Tigers and Double–A Erie SeaWolves, posting an 0–7 record with a 5.25 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 72 innings.

On May 11, 2022, Wentz was recalled and promoted to the major leagues for the first time to start against the Oakland Athletics.[15] In his third start for the Tigers on September 9, Wentz earned his first major league win against the Kansas City Royals, allowing no runs in 6+2⁄3 innings while striking out five.[16] In 2023, Wentz pitched in 25 games (19 starts), going 3–13 with a 6.90 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 105+2⁄3 innings.

In 38 appearances for the Tigers in 2024, Wentz struggled to a 5.37 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 55+1⁄3 innings pitched. Wentz was designated for assignment by Detroit on August 30.[17]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On September 3, 2024, Wentz was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates, due to being out of minor league options, he reported directly to the major league team.[18]

References

  1. ^ Scoby, Ashley (May 5, 2016). "National baseball spotlight converges on two KC-area high school pitching friends". Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  2. ^ Senter, Jay (May 16, 2016). "Joey Wentz repeats as Sunflower League Player of the Year; All-League teams packed with Lancers". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  3. ^ Senter, Jay (June 29, 2015). "SM East baseball star Joey Wentz invited to All-American game at Wrigley, Junior Home Run Derby at MLB All-Star Game". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  4. ^ McDowell, Sean (July 14, 2015). "SM East High School student comes home power hitting hero after Junior Home Run Derby". FOX4KC. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  5. ^ Senter, Jay (September 16, 2014). "Just 16, SM East's Joey Wentz commits to play for UVA's national runner-up baseball team". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  6. ^ Halley, Jim (April 26, 2016). "ALL-USA Watch: Joey Wentz has been Dr. No for No. 14 Shawnee Mission East (Kan.) baseball". USA TODAY High School Sports. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  7. ^ Kornacki, Karen (May 12, 2016). "Shawnee Mission East pitcher attracts pro attention". Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  8. ^ Chadwick, Joanna (May 5, 2016). "Kansas high school pitchers Riley Pint, Joey Wentz likely first-round picks". Kansas.com. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  9. ^ Palmer, Tod (June 9, 2016). "SM East's Joey Wentz is selected by Atlanta Braves in MLB Draft". Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  10. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 14, 2016). "Wentz among Braves' 3 high Draft pick signings". MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Joey Wentz Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  12. ^ Dorsey, Russell (July 31, 2019). "Braves land relievers Greene, Melancon". MLB.com. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  13. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  14. ^ Petzold, Evan (November 20, 2020). "Detroit Tigers protect four important prospects from Rule 5 draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "Tigers' Joey Wentz: Joining big-league roster". CBSSports.com. May 11, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  16. ^ McCosky, Chris (September 9, 2022). "Homecoming King: KC native Joey Wentz earns first big-league win vs. his boyhood team". Lancaster Online. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  17. ^ "Tigers activate Casey Mize, designate Joey Wentz". ESPN.com. August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "Pirates Claim Joey Wentz". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 3, 2024.

Further reading

  • Ljunglad, Tommy; Sugg, Rich (May 5, 2016). "Joey Wentz, standout pitcher at Shawnee Mission East". Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
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