Joey Wentz

Joseph Barrett Wentz (born October 6, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Detroit Tigers organization. The Atlanta Braves selected Wentz with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft.

Joey Wentz
Detroit Tigers
Pitcher
Born: (1997-10-06) October 6, 1997
Leawood, Kansas
Bats: Left Throws: Left

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

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.[12]

On July 31, 2019, the Braves traded Wentz and Travis Demeritte to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Shane Greene.[13] In his first full season at the AA level, Wentz went 7–8 with a 4.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts in ​128 2⁄3 innings. The Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.[14]

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. "Joey Wentz repeats as Sunflower League Player of the Year; All-League teams packed with Lancers". May 16, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  3. "SM East baseball star Joey Wentz invited to All-American game at Wrigley, Junior Home Run Derby at MLB All-Star Game". June 29, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  4. "SM East High School student comes home power hitting hero after Junior Home Run Derby". July 14, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  5. "Just 16, SM East's Joey Wentz commits to play for UVA's national runner-up baseball team". September 16, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  6. "ALL-USA Watch: Joey Wentz has been Dr. No for No. 14 Shawnee Mission East (Kan.) baseball". April 26, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  7. Kornacki, Karen. "Shawnee Mission East pitcher attracts pro attention". Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  8. "Kansas high school pitchers Riley Pint, Joey Wentz likely first-round picks". 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. "Joey Wentz Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  12. "Joey Wentz Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  13. Dorsey, Russell (July 31, 2019). "Braves land relievers Greene, Melancon". MLB.com. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  14. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2020/11/20/detroit-tigers-prospects-rule-5-draft/3779494001/

Further reading
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