Brought over from Oakland in December, INF Joey Wendle has been the surprise of the season for the Rays
Of all the top prospects making their debuts in 2018, Wendle looks to be the one who’s impressed the most – so far. The 28-year old native of Delaware came to the Rays back in December in a trade with the Athletics. He made his MLB debut with Oakland in August 2016 and played in parts of two seasons with the A’s. Never getting a chance to be an “every day” player, he’s found quite a bit of playing time in Tampa and taken advantage of the opportunity.
Two more in!@JoeyWendle comes up clutch with the bases loaded and it’s a 4-0 game.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/tehswzCduo
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 19, 2018
Wendle is 3rd among qualifying rookies in hits (56), t-1st in triples (3), and t-1st in stolen bases (6). He’s also fourth among rookies with 150+ plate appearances in batting avg (.276).
It’s safe to say this year’s AL Rookie of the Year is once again coming out of New York. However, Wendle has been quite the surprise in Tampa Bay. Aside from being solid at the plate – Wendle has flashed some serious leather in the field.
Through 61 games the former sixth-round pick of the Cleveland Indians is hitting .276/.317/.369 with 2 home runs and 20 RBI.
Wendle a part of the future?
With SS Willy Adames and INF Daniel Robertson in the plans for the future, where would Wendle fit? His contract has him under team control through 2024. He’s not even eligible for arbitration until 2021. The Rays could very well keep him around as a solid piece to this growing puzzle of youth and prospects. Even at 28-years old he’s still growing right along with the younger, top prospects in the organization. Like Robertson, his versatility could prove useful, as well. He’s played three different positions this season on the infield and played them well.
The more likely scenario is that he continues to be a consistent hitter, slick fielder, and becomes part of a package deal at the trade deadline. A contender in either league would jump at the chance to bring in some needed post-season depth. Adames, Arroyo, and Robertson are likely the three names you’ll see for years to come up the middle and on the left side of this Rays infield. If, by chance, Matt Duffy winds up getting traded and Arroyo takes over full-time at third, maybe Wendle sticks around and the off-season decides his fate.
Isn’t it grand to have so many good problems for a young team looking to the future? The Rays have plenty of those “problems.”
Joseph Patrick Wendle just happens to be right in the middle of them.
