Atlanta Braves 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. In his first full season at the Double–A level, Wentz went 7–8 with a 4.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts in innings. Wentz did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. He did not participate in the Tigers' alternate training site during the year after undergoing
Tommy John surgery in March. On November 20, 2020, the Tigers added Wentz to their 40-man roster to protect him from the
Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to the Triple–A
Toledo Mud Hens to begin the 2021 season. Working his way back from surgery, Wentz pitched a total of 18 games with the Single–A
Lakeland Flying Tigers and Double–A
Erie SeaWolves, posting an 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 to start against the
Oakland Athletics. In his third start for the Tigers on September 9, Wentz earned his first major league win against the
Kansas City Royals, allowing no runs in innings while striking out five. In 2023, Wentz pitched in 25 games (19 starts), going 3–13 with a 6.90 ERA and 98 strikeouts across innings. In 38 appearances for the Tigers in 2024, Wentz struggled to a 5.37 ERA with 60 strikeouts over innings pitched. Wentz was
designated for assignment by Detroit on August 30.
Pittsburgh Pirates On September 3, 2024, Wentz was claimed off waivers by the
Pittsburgh Pirates, and due to being out of minor league options, he reported directly to the major league team. In eight appearance down the stretch, Wentz recorded a 1.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 12 innings of work. 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. Wentz was designated for assignment by the Pirates on June 7, 2025.
Minnesota Twins 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. Wentz was designated for assignment by the Twins on July 9.
Atlanta Braves (second stint) On July 11, 2025, Wentz was claimed off waivers by the
Atlanta Braves. He made his Braves debut the next day, pitching three scoreless innings and recording six strikeouts, establishing the franchise record for strikeouts in a debut by a reliever. During spring training in 2026, Wentz collided with
Taylor Walls in a game against the
Tampa Bay Rays. On March 9, 2026, Wentz was diagnosed with an
torn ACL and was ruled out for the entire season. ==References==