Joseph Barrett Wentz Bio
Joseph Barrett Wentz is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on October 6, 1997, in Prairie Village, Kansas, Wentz has established himself as a versatile arm who has traversed multiple organizations during his professional career. The Atlanta Braves originally selected Wentz with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft before trading him to the Detroit Tigers in 2019. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2022 and has since pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins before returning to Atlanta in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Wentz grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, as the son of Dave and Jenny Wentz. He attended Shawnee Mission East High School, where he developed into one of the top high school prospects in the country. During his junior and senior years in 2015 and 2016, Wentz earned back-to-back Sunflower League Player of the Year honors, establishing himself as a dominant force on the mound. His performance at the high school level attracted attention from college programs and professional scouts alike.
Beyond his high school accomplishments, Wentz showcased his raw power by winning the 2015 Junior Home Run Derby at the MLB All-Star Game. In that event, he hit a home run that traveled an impressive 543 feet, demonstrating the kind of athleticism that made him a highly sought-after prospect. Prior to the 2016 MLB Draft, Wentz had committed to play college baseball at the University of Virginia, a program known for developing professional talent.
Path to Professional Baseball
Considered a likely first-round selection heading into the 2016 MLB Draft, Wentz heard his name called when the Atlanta Braves selected him in the first Competitive Balance Round with the 40th overall pick. Rather than attend the University of Virginia, Wentz signed with the Braves for a signing bonus of $3.05 million. The decision to turn professional immediately marked the beginning of his journey through minor league baseball, where he would need to prove himself at each level.
Wentz began his professional career in 2016 with the Gulf Coast Braves of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before earning a promotion to the Danville Braves in the Appalachian League. He finished his debut professional season with a 1-4 record, a 3.68 earned run average, and 53 strikeouts across 44 innings pitched. The following year, Wentz took a significant step forward with the Rome Braves, posting an 8-3 record with a 2.60 ERA in 26 starts, demonstrating the potential that made him a top draft prospect.
Joseph Barrett Wentz Career
Detroit Tigers Era (2019-2024)
The Atlanta Braves traded Wentz to the Detroit Tigers on July 31, 2019, acquiring relief pitcher Shane Greene in return. Wentz joined a Tigers organization that was building toward contention, and he spent his first full season at the Double-A level in 2019 going 7-8 with a 4.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 128 and two-thirds innings. The 2020 season presented a major setback when the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Wentz underwent Tommy John surgery in March, forcing him to miss the entire year.
Despite the injury, the Tigers added Wentz to their 40-man roster in November 2020 to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He began the 2021 season at Triple-A Toledo but struggled to find his form while working back from surgery, appearing in 18 games across multiple levels and posting an 0-7 record with a 5.25 ERA. Wentz earned his first major league promotion on May 11, 2022, and made his MLB debut starting against the Oakland Athletics. His third start proved to be memorable as he earned his first major league win on September 9 against the Kansas City Royals, allowing no runs in six and two-thirds innings while striking out five.
The 2023 season saw Wentz become a regular member of the Tigers rotation, making 25 appearances including 19 starts. However, he struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3-13 record and a 6.90 ERA across 105 and two-thirds innings. In 2024, Wentz made 38 appearances with Detroit, posting a 5.37 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 55 and one-third innings before the Tigers designated him for assignment on August 30.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2024-2025)
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Wentz off waivers on September 3, 2024, and due to being out of minor league options, he reported directly to the major league roster. His stint with the Pirates got off to an exceptional start as he posted a 1.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 12 innings in eight appearances down the stretch. Wentz began the 2025 season with Pittsburgh, making 19 appearances and recording a 2-1 record with a 4.15 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 26 innings. The Pirates designated Wentz for assignment on June 7, 2025.
Minnesota Twins (2025)
The Minnesota Twins claimed Wentz off waivers on June 11, 2025, providing him with another opportunity to contribute at the major league level. However, Wentz struggled significantly during his brief tenure with Minnesota, appearing in six games and posting a 15.75 ERA with six strikeouts over eight innings. The Twins designated him for assignment on July 9, 2025, ending his brief stint with the organization.
Atlanta Braves Return (2025-Present)
Wentz returned to the Atlanta Braves on July 11, 2025, when they claimed him off waivers. He made his Braves debut the following day, pitching three scoreless innings while recording six strikeouts, establishing the franchise record for strikeouts in a debut by a reliever. The return to Atlanta marked a full-circle moment for the player the Braves had originally drafted and developed. Wentz joined a Braves bullpen looking to strengthen its depth and provide versatility out of the bullpen.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Wentz operates primarily as a left-handed pitcher who has shown the ability to work both as a starter and reliever throughout his career. His repertoire includes a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s, complemented by a curveball and changeup that he uses to keep hitters off balance. The Braves have utilized him primarily out of the bullpen during his second stint, where his ability to log multiple innings and miss bats has proven valuable. His strikeout totals throughout his professional career, including 290 in his MLB career, demonstrate his ability to generate swings and misses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wentz achieved several notable milestones during his career journey. His first MLB win against the Kansas City Royals in September 2022 marked a significant achievement after years of working through the minor leagues and recovering from Tommy John surgery. His return to Atlanta in 2025 and the record-setting debut from the bullpen added another memorable chapter. However, during spring training in 2026, Wentz suffered a significant injury when he collided with teammate Taylor Walls during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, resulting in a torn ACL that ruled him out for the entire 2026 season.
Joseph Barrett Wentz Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Wentz has accumulated a win-loss record of 11-24 across his time with the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and Atlanta Braves. His career earned run average stands at 5.57 with 290 strikeouts through the 2025 season. While his overall record reflects the challenges of developing as a young pitcher in the majors, his strikeout totals and ability to work as both a starter and reliever indicate his potential to be a valuable piece for any bullpen.
Detroit Tigers Highlights
Wentz earned his first major league win with the Detroit Tigers on September 9, 2022, against the Kansas City Royals. That performance, where he allowed no runs in six and two-thirds innings while striking out five, represented a breakthrough moment in his professional career. He finished the 2022 season with a 4-4 record in 11 appearances. His best stretch with Detroit came late in the 2024 season before joining the Pirates, as he posted a 1.50 ERA in his brief time with Pittsburgh following his departure from the Tigers.
Other Wins and Performances
Wentz earned two wins with the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2025 season before being claimed by the Twins and later the Braves. His return to Atlanta resulted in a scoreless debut from the bullpen with six strikeouts, one of his most impressive appearances of the season. Across four organizations in 2025, Wentz continued to demonstrate his ability to miss bats while working to find consistency at the major league level.
Joseph Barrett Wentz Family
Family Background
Wentz was born in Prairie Village, Kansas, to Dave and Jenny Wentz. His father Dave and mother Jenny have supported his baseball career throughout his journey from youth baseball through his professional career. Wentz met future MLB pitcher Riley Pint in second grade, and the two remained friends as they both pursued professional baseball careers. This long-standing friendship represents a connection that predates their professional paths in the sport.
Personal Life
Wentz attended Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, where he excelled academically and athletically before beginning his professional career. Prior to turning professional, he had committed to play college baseball at the University of Virginia, one of the premier baseball programs in the country. Wentz chose to sign with the Braves after being drafted rather than attend college, accelerating his path to professional baseball. He currently plays for the Atlanta Braves organization where he began his professional career in 2016.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented one of the most turbulent years of Wentz’s professional career, as he suited up for four different MLB organizations. After beginning the year with the Pittsburgh Pirates and posting a 2-1 record with a 4.15 ERA through 19 appearances, he was claimed by the Minnesota Twins in June. His time with Minnesota proved brief and difficult as he struggled to a 15.75 ERA in six appearances. The Twins designated him for assignment, and the Atlanta Braves claimed him off waivers on July 11, marking his return to the organization that drafted him in 2016.
Wentz’s Braves debut provided an immediate spark, as he pitched three perfect innings with six strikeouts against the Philadelphia Phillies, setting a franchise record for strikeouts by a reliever in a debut appearance. This performance suggested that a change of scenery and return to familiar surroundings could help him recapture the form that made him a top draft prospect. The Braves utilized Wentz primarily as a multi-inning reliever capable of bridging the gap between the starting rotation and the closer role.
Throughout the 2025 season, Wentz demonstrated the versatility that has defined his career, appearing in games for four different teams while logging meaningful innings in various roles. His ability to work as both a starter and reliever provides value to organizations seeking bullpen depth. The 2025 campaign ended with Wentz back where his professional career began, offering hope that stability with the Braves could lead to more consistent results in future seasons. As he enters the 2026 season, Wentz will look to build on his strong Braves debut and establish himself as a reliable option in the Atlanta bullpen.