Tigers Top Prospect Joey Wentz to Miss 2020 and Part of 2021 After Tommy John Surgery
By Brendan Balsamo
Joey Wentz was the 40th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves and is currently the Detroit Tigers 10th-ranked prospect. He struggled in his time with the Braves but had five starts with the Tigers' Double-A affiliate after being traded in the Shane Greene deal and maintained a 2.10 ERA.
However, he won't have the chance to progress at all in 2020, as the Tigers have announced that Wentz underwent successful Tommy John Surgery on Tuesday. He is expected to miss all of 2020 and part of 2021.
Wentz’s timetable for return is expected to be 14-16 months. (2/2)
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) March 18, 2020
Wentz struggled at first in rookie ball in 2016 but in 2017 and 2018 he had stellar years, posting a 2.60 ERA in Class A and a 2.28 ERA in Advanced A ball. In 20 starts with the Braves' Double-A affiliate in 2019, he posted a 4.98 ERA, until a trade to Detroit saw him put up a 2.10 ERA in five starts.
The left-hander isn't at all a flamethrower (he has a low-90s fastball), but he has plus stuff and great command of his pitches, which are keys to major league success.
Scout on #Tigers Joey Wentz, “Deception is his bread and butter. He knows what he’s doing out there. If he finds your weakness as a hitter, he’s going to capitalize on it.” pic.twitter.com/HVudAWFDe6
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) September 15, 2019
Wentz has the true makings of a productive starter in the MLB if he keeps up his performance in the minors. Hopefully he makes a quick return considering he was knocking the doorstep of making an impact at the major league level for the Tigers before his injury.