Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Joey Wentz was born October 6, 1997, in Leawood, Kansas. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

Wentz committed to the University of Virginia. He had been scouted by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams prior to the 2016 MLB draft. Considered a likely first round pick, the Atlanta Braves selected him in the first Competitive Balance round, with the 40th overall selection. Wentz chose to sign with the Braves for $3.05 million rather than attend college. 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, and 2018 with the Florida Fire Frogs where he was 3–4 with a 2.28 ERA in 16 starts.

On May 11, 2022, Wentz was recalled and promoted to the major leagues for the first time to start against the Oakland Athletics.

In his third start for the Tigers on September 9, 2022, Wentz earned his first major league win against the Kansas City Royals, allowing no runs in 6+2⁄3 innings while striking out five.