BIOGRAPHY
Joey Wendle was born April 26, 1990, in Wilmington, Delaware. He is a second baseman in the MLB.
Wendle entered spring training in 2018 competing for the starting second baseman job with Micah Johnson and Daniel Robertson. After hitting .327 in 52 spring training at-bats, Rays manager Kevin Cash announced that Wendle had made the team's Opening Day roster to platoon at second base with Daniel Robertson.
Wendle ended the season leading all rookies in wins above replacement (4.3), batting average (.300), on-base percentage (.350), and triples (6), as well as placing second in hits (146), doubles (33), and runs (62). Wendle was the first Rays player since 2011 to hit .300, and the first rookie to ever reach that mark. He tied for the major league lead in sacrifice flies (10). At the conclusion of the season, Wendle was unanimously chosen as the Rays Outstanding Rookie award for the 2018 season and finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year award.
In 2020, Wendle started 50 games for the Rays despite being considered a backup player. His defensive versatility allowed him to give fellow teammates Willy Adames and Brandon Lowe games off, while platooning at third base with Yandy Diaz. For the season, Wendle hit .286 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI as the Rays clinched their first division title in ten years. In the ALDS against the Yankees, Wendle hit .353 as the Rays beat the Yankees in 5 games. Against the Houston Astros in the ALCS, Wendle garnered attention for his stellar defense at third base. Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker went as far as to compare his play to Brooks Robinson. The Rays would go on to beat the Astros in 7 games.
Wendle was named to the 2021 All-Star Game as a reserve on July 9, 2021. He singled in his only plate appearance.
On November 30, 2021, Tampa Bay traded Wendle to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Kameron Misner.
On January 13, 2023, Wendle agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with the Marlins, avoiding salary arbitration.