Joey
Wentz

2014 KABC 6A All-State - 2nd Team
2014 All-Sunflower League - First Team

2/7/16 - The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Virginia recruit sat 91-92 mph and touched 93 from a loose and easy delivery. He stays compact for someone with long levers and showed feel for a changeup with slight fading action at 80. He also spun a good curveball with tight break, 1/7 shape and some depth.

SUPER 60: Of all the standout performances at the 14^th Annual Super 60, Wentz stole the show, chiefly because no one had seen the Virginia recruit on the mound in more than a year. Wentz had built his reputation for his big left-handed power bat, which he put on display at the Under Armour All-America Game home run derby. But at the Super 60, the highly projectable 6-foot-5, 220-pound left-hander decided to only pitch. His decision may likely have elevated his draft status as one of the top left-handed prospects in the 2016 class. Long, lean and athletic, Wentz’s fastball sat at 92 mph, topping at 93, with late arm-side finish. His arm works clean and effortlessly, indicating there likely is more in the tank as he fills into his frame and focuses more on pitching. His delivery is simple, balanced and athletic; stays tall and works downhill well. Wentz’s secondary is still a work in progress. He showed some feel for his 79-82 mph changeup; curveball had erratic shape at 75-76 mph. With his athleticism, frame and arm action, Wentz has put himself on the map as a high-priority left-handed prospect this spring.

4/20/15 - Wentz is a left-handed pitcher and left-hand hitting first baseman. Virginia commit and 2016 MLB Draft prospect. Physical 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame. Leaner more athletic look than last spring. Projection. Easy, balanced delivery. Simple. High three-quarters slot. Fastball up to 86-88 mph, touches 89-90 mph. Repeatedly overmatched hitters with fastball for swings and misses. Curveball 72-74 mph, 1/7 shape. Improved delivery, command and velocity since Spring of 2014. Threw five innings, gave up one hit, three walks and struck out 11.

4/10/14 - Wentz is a physically impressive 6-foot-5, 190-pound left-handed pitcher/first baseman regarded as one of the top Class of 2016 prospects in the Midwest.  He was the starting pitcher in a match-up of Shawnee Mission schools East and Northwest.  He demonstrated a balanced, controlled delivery with easy arm action from a ¾ slot.  His fastball showed late cut and sink with a very high percentage of them sinking away from right-handers bats. His fastball velocity registered in the 82-86 mph range, although with his size, delivery, arm action and age 82-86 could soon turn into a memory.  He also features a 12-6 breaker (69-73 mph) that he gets out-in-front with and has tight spin.  Wentz used his 73-75 change-up sparingly but it has a chance to be a plus pitch as he sells it well with fastball arm speed and it has late action, diving away from right-handers bats as it approached the plate.  Wentz is also an accomplished offensive player throwing up big numbers to start the spring season.  He will be playing for the KC Barnstormers organization this summer.