Joey Wentz Bio
Joseph Barrett Wentz, known professionally as Joey Wentz, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Braves originally selected Wentz with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft before trading him to the Detroit Tigers in 2019, where he later made his major league debut in 2022. A left-handed pitcher, Wentz has spent his career moving between starting and relief roles across multiple organizations.
Born on October 6, 1997, in Prairie Village, Kansas, Wentz grew up in a supportive family that nurtured his early interest in baseball. Over the course of his professional career, he has appeared in MLB for the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and Atlanta Braves, building a reputation as a resilient pitcher who has overcome injury setbacks to remain active at the highest level.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Barrett Wentz was born on October 6, 1997, to Dave and Jenny Wentz. He grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, in the Kansas City metropolitan area, where he developed a passion for baseball at a young age. During his childhood, Wentz first met fellow future professional pitcher Riley Pint in the second grade, and the two became longtime friends, sharing a common dream of reaching the major leagues.
Wentz attended Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas, where he quickly emerged as one of the top high school pitching prospects in the country. He was named the Sunflower League Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2016, during his junior and senior seasons, reflecting his dominance on the mound. In 2015, Wentz won the Junior Home Run Derby at the MLB All-Star Game, showcasing his power-hitting ability by hitting a home run that traveled 543 feet.
Coming out of high school, Wentz was widely regarded as a likely first-round talent in the MLB draft. Although he had committed to the University of Virginia, his strong performance on the showcase circuit convinced several MLB teams to scout him closely. His family supported his decision to pursue professional baseball rather than attend college, setting the stage for his selection in the 2016 draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Wentz’s path to professional baseball began in earnest during the 2016 MLB draft, when the Atlanta Braves selected him with the 40th overall pick in the first Competitive Balance round. Considered a likely first-round talent, Wentz chose to sign with the Braves for $3.05 million rather than honor his commitment to the University of Virginia. This decision marked his transition from amateur to professional baseball and launched his career in the minor leagues.
After signing, Wentz started his professional career with the Gulf Coast Braves of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before being promoted to the Danville Braves of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. He finished the 2016 season with a 1–4 win–loss record, a 3.68 earned run average, and 53 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched, gaining valuable experience in his first professional season.
In 2017, Wentz advanced to the Rome Braves, where he posted an 8–3 record with a 2.60 ERA in 26 starts, establishing himself as a top prospect in the Braves’ system. The following year, he pitched for the Florida Fire Frogs, going 3–4 with a 2.28 ERA in 16 starts. His consistent performance in the minors quickly positioned him as a future major league contributor.
Joey Wentz Career
Early Career in the Minor Leagues (2016-2019)
Following his promotion through the Braves’ minor league affiliates, Wentz developed into one of the organization’s most promising young arms. His steady progress through Rookie and Single-A levels earned him recognition as a potential building block for the Braves’ future rotation.
On July 31, 2019, the Braves traded Wentz and Travis Demeritte to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for relief pitcher Shane Greene, signaling a shift in his career path. In his first full season at the Double-A level, Wentz went 7–8 with a 4.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 128 and two-thirds innings pitched, demonstrating his ability to handle advanced competition.
Detroit Tigers Tenure and MLB Debut (2020-2024)
Wentz did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also did not participate in the Tigers’ alternate training site that year after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. Despite the setback, the Tigers added Wentz to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2020, to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, showing their confidence in his long-term potential.
Wentz returned to the mound in 2021, working his way back from surgery across Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie. He posted a combined 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, making his MLB debut as a starter against the Oakland Athletics. Later that season, on September 9, Wentz earned his first major league win against the Kansas City Royals, allowing no runs in six and two-thirds innings while striking out five batters.
In 2023, Wentz pitched in 25 games, including 19 starts, going 3–13 with a 6.90 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 105 and two-thirds innings. The following year, he appeared in 38 games for the Tigers, struggling to a 5.37 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 55 and one-third innings pitched. On August 30, 2024, Detroit designated Wentz for assignment, ending his first major league stint.
Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins (2024-2025)
On September 3, 2024, Wentz was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and because he was out of minor league options, he reported directly to the major league team. In eight appearances down the stretch, Wentz recorded a strong 1.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 12 innings of work, providing a bright conclusion to his 2024 campaign.
Wentz made 19 appearances for Pittsburgh to begin the 2025 season, posting a 2-1 record and 4.15 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 26 innings of work. His performance during this stretch showed flashes of the potential that made him a top draft pick. However, on June 7, 2025, the Pirates designated Wentz for assignment.
Just four days later, on June 11, 2025, Wentz was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins. In six appearances for Minnesota, he struggled to a 15.75 ERA with six strikeouts over eight innings of work. The Twins designated him for assignment again on July 9, 2025, after a brief and difficult stint.
Atlanta Braves Return (2025-Present)
On July 11, 2025, Wentz was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves, the team that originally drafted him. He made his Braves debut the next day, pitching three scoreless innings and recording six strikeouts, establishing a franchise record for strikeouts in a debut by a reliever. The strong return performance marked a meaningful homecoming for Wentz in Atlanta’s organization.
During spring training in 2026, Wentz collided with Taylor Walls in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, resulting in a significant injury. On March 9, 2026, Wentz was diagnosed with a torn ACL and was ruled out for the entire season. This setback represents a major challenge in his career, though he remains under contract with the Braves as he works toward recovery.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Wentz’s career came on July 12, 2025, when he set the Braves’ franchise record for strikeouts in a debut by a reliever. Another milestone was his first major league win on September 9, 2022, against the Kansas City Royals, a performance that signaled his arrival at the top level. Earlier, his victory in the 2015 Junior Home Run Derby foreshadowed the athletic ability that would define his career.
Joey Wentz Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Joseph Barrett Wentz was raised by his parents, Dave and Jenny Wentz, who supported his early baseball ambitions. Growing up in Prairie Village, Kansas, Wentz developed close friendships that endured into his professional life, including his longtime bond with Riley Pint, whom he met in the second grade. His family’s encouragement played a key role in his decision to pursue professional baseball out of high school.
Wentz has kept much of his personal life private, and no public information is available regarding a spouse or children. He continues to be closely connected to his Kansas roots, having grown up and attended high school in the Prairie Village area before embarking on his professional baseball journey.
2025 Season Performance
Wentz’s 2025 season was marked by considerable movement across multiple organizations. He began the year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making 19 appearances and posting a 2-1 record with a 4.15 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 26 innings. His strong stretch with Pittsburgh highlighted his value as a reliable relief option, but his time there ended when the Pirates designated him for assignment on June 7, 2025.
After a brief and challenging six-appearance stint with the Minnesota Twins that resulted in a 15.75 ERA, Wentz found new life with the Atlanta Braves. Claimed off waivers on July 11, 2025, he delivered a memorable debut the following day, striking out six batters in three scoreless innings and setting a franchise record. The late-season return to Atlanta offered a promising conclusion to a turbulent 2025 campaign.
Heading into 2026, Wentz faced a significant setback when a torn ACL diagnosed on March 9, 2026, ruled him out for the entire season. The injury occurred following a spring training collision with Taylor Walls, putting his recovery timeline and long-term role with the Braves in question as he works toward returning to the mound.
