Joey Wentz – Pittsburgh Pirates Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Joey Wentz is a left-handed pitcher currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He was born on October 6, 1997, in Lawrence, Kansas. The Atlanta Braves drafted him in the 2016 MLB Draft as the 40th overall pick, and he’s been climbing the pro baseball ladder ever since.

His journey? Well, it’s had its fair share of ups and downs—pretty much what you’d expect from a pitcher still trying to carve out a spot in the big leagues.

Joey Wentz signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, all guaranteed. That’s a slight bump from his last deal with the Detroit Tigers, where he earned $723,500 in 2023.

The Pirates claimed Wentz off waivers from Detroit, clearly looking for a lefty arm to add to their pitching staff.

Based on public financial info, Wentz has put together a net worth of about $3,153,842 so far. He’s not raking in superstar money, but those are solid earnings for a pitcher fighting to lock down a rotation spot.

His current contract will be interesting to watch as he tries to make his mark in Pittsburgh.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Joey Wentz’s path to pro baseball started years before he ever set foot on a major league mound.

Those early years? They laid the groundwork for everything that came after.

Background and Family

Joseph Barrett Wentz was born on October 6, 1997, in Kansas City, Missouri.

He grew up in the Midwest, where his dad—who played college ball—introduced him to the game. His family went all in on his baseball dreams, driving him to games and tournaments across the region.

Wentz fell in love with pitching back in elementary school. His tall frame and lefty delivery gave him a leg up on other kids.

By middle school, local coaches were already taking notice, spotting his potential from the jump.

His family really leaned in, making sacrifices for his baseball development. There were plenty of weekend tournaments and extra coaching sessions along the way.

High School Highlights

Wentz attended Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas. He didn’t just pitch—he dominated as a two-way player.

On the mound, he overpowered hitters with his fastball and started mixing in off-speed stuff. As a junior, he posted a 0.79 ERA and struck out 104 in just 53 innings.

His senior year? Even better. He went 9-0 with a ridiculous 0.27 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. That kind of season earned him the 2016 Gatorade Kansas Baseball Player of the Year.

But he wasn’t just a pitcher. Wentz played first base and hit for power, batting over .400 with 8 home runs his last year. That versatility made him a top prospect for the 2016 MLB Draft.

Draft Selection

Wentz capped off his high school career by going 40th overall in the 2016 MLB Draft to the Atlanta Braves. Scouts and evaluators had him pegged as a top talent, and the Braves picked him in the Competitive Balance Round A.

Atlanta liked his 6’5″ frame, smooth left-handed delivery, and the idea that he could add velocity down the line. They signed him for a $3.05 million bonus, which blew past the usual slot value for that pick.

Wentz had committed to play college ball at the University of Virginia, but he chose the pro route instead. That decision changed everything—he skipped college and jumped straight into the Braves’ minor league system.

Professional Baseball Journey

Joey Wentz’s climb to the majors has been anything but straightforward. He’s shown flashes of real promise, dealt with development bumps, and kept grinding through every pitching assignment.

He’s spent time in the minors, bounced between organizations, and finally reached the MLB level.

Minor League Development

Wentz kicked off his pro career after the Braves picked him 40th overall in 2016. Atlanta clearly believed in him, handing out a $3.05 million bonus—almost double the slot value.

He worked his way through the Braves’ farm system, showing promise as a starter with decent strikeout stuff. As he moved through Single-A and Double-A, people started to take notice.

In 2019, the Braves traded him to the Detroit Tigers at the deadline. That deal put him in a system loaded with other promising arms like Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, and Matt Manning.

Major League Debut

Wentz kept developing in the Tigers’ minors and finally made his big league debut in 2022. His call-up came after years of anticipation, joining a Detroit team eager to see what their young pitchers could do.

He faced the usual rookie struggles in his first MLB outings. Those early games were all about learning and trying to prove he belonged among Detroit’s young pitching group.

Wentz’s debut year had its moments—some flashes of real potential, but also the growing pains you’d expect. He found himself competing with other young arms like Alex Faedo for a spot in the rotation.

Notable Performances

During his time with the Tigers, Wentz put together some outings that showed what he could do as a starter. When he was on, his pitch mix and improved command really stood out.

He’s worked on boosting his strikeout rate and finding more consistency at the MLB level. At his best, he moves quickly through lineups and keeps the damage in check.

By 2023, Wentz was making $723,500 with Detroit, then later moved to the Pirates on a $775,000 deal. Those moves marked big steps as he tried to secure a rotation spot.

Honestly, his journey highlights just how tough it is for pitchers to go from hot prospect to reliable big leaguer.

Contracts and Financial Overview

Joey Wentz’s pro career has included a few contract changes, each reflecting where he’s at in his development. His financial path includes the big signing bonus and a series of one-year MLB deals.

Contract Details and Extensions

Wentz started out with the Braves after the 2016 draft. He signed for a $3.05 million bonus, which was nearly double the typical $1.6 million for the 40th pick. That kind of bonus showed Atlanta really wanted him as a lefty pitcher.

After he joined the Tigers, Wentz’s contracts shifted to standard pre-arb deals. Detroit re-signed him in March 2022 for that season, then gave him a one-year, $723,500 contract for 2023.

His contract history basically matches the usual path for young pitchers—annual renewals at standard rates for pre-arbitration players.

Salary Cap Implications

MLB doesn’t have a hard salary cap, but teams still have to keep an eye on the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT). For both the Tigers and Pirates, Wentz’s contracts haven’t made much of a dent in payroll flexibility.

Since he’s been a pre-arb player, his salary has stayed low and predictable. That helps teams spend money elsewhere.

The Pirates, who picked him up recently, have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Adding Wentz’s contract fits their usual approach—get young, controllable talent without breaking the bank.

All in all, Wentz has been a low-risk investment with some upside if he can put it all together.

One-Year Deal Analysis

For 2024, Joey Wentz signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Pirates. That’s a slight raise from his Tigers deal, showing some progress as he’s developed.

The one-year contract works out for both sides:

• For Wentz: He gets some short-term security and a chance to boost his value for the next round of negotiations.
• For Pittsburgh: They keep things flexible and don’t have to commit long-term while they see how he fits in.

This deal matches what you’d expect for a player at his service time. The Pirates took on little risk, adding a lefty with MLB experience and more room to grow.

At 26 years old (as of 2024), Wentz still has time to earn bigger deals if he can take the next step.

Trade Rumors and Non-Tender Decisions

Wentz has already switched organizations a couple of times. Atlanta drafted him, then traded him to Detroit in 2019 as part of the Shane Greene deal. That move showed he had value as a prospect, even while he was still in the minors.

Recently, the Tigers decided not to tender him a contract for 2024, making him available for the Pirates to grab. Teams usually make those calls due to performance or roster space.

You haven’t heard many trade rumors about Wentz—probably because his performance has been up and down, his contract is cheap, and he still offers some upside as a lefty with big league experience.

The Pirates picked him up as part of their usual strategy: take a shot on players with untapped potential who might click in a new environment. His estimated net worth of about $3.15 million mostly comes from that big signing bonus he got at the start, not his yearly MLB salaries.

Joey Wentz Net Worth and Endorsements

Joey Wentz has built up some decent wealth from his baseball career, even if he’s not in the same league as MLB’s highest earners. His money comes from his playing contracts, maybe some endorsements, and whatever investments he’s made on the side.

Earnings Breakdown

Wentz’s net worth sits at around $3,153,842, with most of that coming from his baseball contracts. He kicked things off with a hefty signing bonus of $3.05 million when he chose to go pro with the Braves.

His more recent salaries have been on the modest side. In 2023, he signed a one-year deal for $723,500 with Detroit. That ticked up a bit when he landed a $775,000 contract with Pittsburgh.

His earnings have grown gradually as he’s developed, though he’s still in the lower tier for MLB salaries.

Investments and Revenue Streams

Details about Wentz’s investments haven’t really gone public, but most pro athletes try to spread their money around. Guys at his stage in their career usually focus on:

• Real estate
• Stock portfolios
• Small business ventures
• Regional endorsement deals, often with sporting goods companies

For players making what Wentz does, endorsements are usually local—maybe a car dealership, a restaurant, or a sporting goods store in a city where he’s played.

Financial advisors tend to steer players like Wentz toward conservative investment strategies. The goal? Long-term growth, not risky bets that could blow up in their face.

Comparison With Highest-Paid Players

Wentz earns far less than MLB’s highest-paid stars. For some perspective:

This salary disparity really underlines Wentz’s status as a developing player, not an established star.

MLB’s minimum salary for 2025 sits at about $740,000, so Wentz just edges out the league minimum.

Top-tier players rake in tens of millions from endorsements, but Wentz and others at his level mostly focus on proving themselves on the field, hoping to boost their future contracts.

Challenges, Injuries, and Comeback

Joey Wentz’s path in pro baseball hasn’t been smooth. He’s had to deal with some pretty tough setbacks that really tested his determination.

His minor league journey took a sharp turn when injury struck.

Tommy John Surgery

Back in March 2019, Wentz faced a huge blow—he had to get Tommy John surgery.

This procedure reconstructs the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He started feeling discomfort in his pitching arm during spring training with the Braves, and things just unraveled from there.

The timing? Honestly, it couldn’t have been worse. Wentz was finally building momentum and looking like a potential mid-rotation starter.

Instead, he had to put his career on hold during a key development window.

Doctors told Wentz he could get back to form with proper rehab. Still, facing such a big injury so early can mess with your head.

Physical Recovery

Wentz tackled his rehab with a lot of discipline.

For pitchers, recovery usually stretches 12-18 months, with slow, careful steps the whole way.

His recovery looked like this:

• First, a couple months of rest and barely any movement
• Then, he started gradual strengthening exercises
• After that, a throwing program—short distances at first
• Eventually, he worked off the mound, ramping up intensity

He worked side by side with team medical staff, who tracked every step. Reports say he kept a positive mindset, even when the process got tough.

By late 2020, Wentz was finally facing live hitters again. His velocity started to come back, but command didn’t always follow—pretty common for pitchers coming off Tommy John.

Impact on Career Trajectory

That surgery definitely changed Wentz’s timeline and path to the majors.

After the Braves traded him to the Tigers in 2019 (part of the Shane Greene deal), he had to prove himself to a new team while still recovering.

He finally debuted with Detroit in 2022. Wentz flashed his potential, though he struggled with consistency.

His contract reflected those ups and downs—he signed a one-year deal worth $723,500 in 2023, which feels modest for someone who once landed a $3.05 million signing bonus as a top prospect.

The injury forced him to tweak his pitches, too. Wentz leaned more on his changeup and curve, trying to rebuild trust in his fastball.

Legacy and Future Outlook

Joey Wentz’s career still has potential, but he’s not out of the woods yet.

His left-handed pitching and resilience after surgery make him a valuable asset for any team willing to bet on him.

Role in Tigers Rotation

Wentz carved out a spot as a potential back-end starter with the Tigers.

After surgery, he managed to hold down a rotation spot, mixing pitches and relying on his lefty delivery. Detroit saw him as part of their pitching rebuild, especially when injuries hit.

His four-pitch mix, with a fastball sitting in the low-90s, gave Detroit options when other starters went down.

He’s not overpowering, but changing speeds and working both sides of the plate made him a solid depth piece for the staff.

Even with some inconsistency, that left-handed profile helped in a division loaded with tough lefty hitters.

Postseason Potential

Wentz brings postseason value thanks to his flexibility as a starter or reliever.

In the playoffs, lefties like him can be really useful for matchup situations.

He probably won’t be a front-line playoff starter, but he might find a niche out of the bullpen in October. Plenty of playoff teams use former starters in relief roles when the stakes get high.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, who signed Wentz to a $775,000 contract, could really use that flexibility as they try to build a contender.

Whether he ends up pitching in the playoffs will depend on how he develops from here.

Veteran Presence and Influence

Wentz is still developing, but lately, he’s started to take on more of a veteran role. He’s been through a lot—overcoming significant injury and making it back from Tommy John surgery. That kind of journey makes him a real resource for younger pitchers who are facing the same uphill battles.

He went from a first-round talent to a big league pitcher, and that path gives him a perspective you just can’t teach. Scouts have pointed out that Wentz works with “plenty of guile” instead of pure power, so younger guys can actually learn a lot from how he pitches.

You notice his quiet professionalism right away. He just keeps going—even when he was deep in injury rehab. That kind of mental toughness is what you need if you want to stick around at the top level.

Put all that together—his mindset, how he handles himself, and what he does on the field—and you start to see how he’s shaping his legacy with the Pirates.