Joey Wentz

Wentz received his first taste of the big leagues in 2022 and delivered impressive results for Detroit with a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB across 32.2 innings. He was promoted in May and made only two starts before he went down with a shoulder injury, and he didn't return to the majors until September. The young lefty had a 20 percent strikeout rate and 9.6 percent walk rate but limited opposing batters to a .190 average, and he surrendered only two homers. The small sample size is obviously a major asterisk on these numbers, but Wentz flashed his potential and should have a chance to earn a rotation spot during spring training to open 2023.

Statistically, Wentz was the best pitcher at Low-A last year. He finished at or near the top of most leaderboards, and was the second-youngest qualified pitcher in the South Atlantic League. If Wentz's fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range, he would have more upside than any pitcher in the Braves' system, which would be saying something. Unfortunately it sat at 91-92 mph last season, which isn't bad, but one of the main selling points when the Braves gave him a $3.05 million bonus in 2016 was that he was athletic, projectable and a good bet to add velocity. His bender projects as a plus putaway pitch, and on the right day his changeup will also flash plus. He projects to have at least above-average command. Wentz's fastball is still good enough for him to get by as a mid-rotation starter -- the 6-foot-5 southpaw generates good downhill plane -- but if the dream of him adding some velocity comes true, he could be a No. 2 starter. The Braves may give him a challenge and send him to Double-A this season.

One of the most athletic prep pitchers selected in last year's draft, Wentz could have been an early-round pick as a hitter, but as a projectable 6-foot-5 lefty with a plus fastball, he was more attractive on the mound. The Braves selected him with the 40th overall pick, but only 16 players topped his $3.05 million signing bonus, so it's fair to view Wentz as a top-20 talent in the class. In addition to a mid-90s heater, Wentz's curveball and changeup could both be plus offerings down the road, giving him legitimate frontline upside. He allowed zero runs and nine baserunners (five coming on walks) while notching a 42.9 percent strikeout rate over 12 innings in the Gulf Coast League before he was quickly promoted to the Appalachian League. Wentz finally started to show some flaws against more advanced hitters, posting a 14 percent walk rate while the opposition hit .265 against him. His command/control will be worth monitoring this year with Low-A Rome, but he has age and athleticism on his side, and the stuff to post gaudy strikeout totals in his first full season.