Joey Wendle

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #21 prospect in 2017
  Wendle signed for $10,000 as a sixth-round, senior sign after leading West Chester (Pa.) to its first-ever Division II national championship in 2012. Acquired from the Indians in December 2014 for Brandon Moss, Wendle hit hit .333/.376/.545 post-all-star break at Triple-A Nashville in 2016 and earned his first big league callup at the end of August, quickly becoming a favorite of Athletics manager Bob Melvin. Wendle's bat remains his best asset, though his walk and strikeout rates went backward at Triple-A. He has a short, compact swing and an advanced feel for hitting. He uses the whole field and makes good contact. He's an average defender and limited to second base, but does turn the pivot well and graded as an above-average defender at second during his small sample in the majors. Wendle worked with Triple-A Nashville manager Steve Scarsone and coach Eric Martins every day in 2016 to become a better fielder. He has average speed, but savvy on the bases allowed him to steal 16 bases in 20 tries last season, just below his 80 percent career success rate. Wendle started at second base for the A's for most of the final month of the 2016 season and will look to solidify the job in 2017 as a grinder who can do a little bit of everything.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #17 prospect in 2016
  Wendle has gone from being a $10,000 senior sign in 2012 to the precipice of the major leagues. After being acquired by the Athletics from the Indians for Brandon Moss in December 2014, Wendle made a good first impression, setting a Triple-A Nashville single-season franchise record with 42 doubles. He's an old school--no batting gloves--high-energy player with an aggressive style. He has a handsy swing that allows him to hit balls in all quadrants of the strike zone. His wrists are strong enough to give him some sneaky power, particularly to the pull side, though doubles will continue to be his forte. .His speed is average at best but he's smart enough and athletic enough to still be a threat on the bases. His arm wouldn't play at shortstop, so he's strictly a second baseman. He needs to improve his double play pivot but is otherwise a solid defender. The A's didn't call Wendle up last year despite his success in Nashville, but they've added him to the 40-man roster and he should make his major league debut in 2016.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #17 prospect in 2015
  Undrafted as a junior, Wendle led Division II West Chester (Pa.)to a national title as a senior in 2012 prior to signing with the Indians for the modest sum of $10,000 as a sixth-round pick. Cleveland traded him to the Athletics for Brandon Moss in December. After a breakout year in 2013, he pulled out of an early-season slump at Double-A Akron in 2014 when a broken hamate bone in his right hand sidelined him in late June, though he did return a couple weeks before the end of the season. Wendle gets described as an old school, grinding type of player. He takes short, line-drive oriented swings from the left side with a natural feel for hitting to all fields. He hits the occasional homer, but most of his power comes in the form of doubles. Wendle's secondary tools don't stick out, but he's a reliable second baseman with good lateral mobility and a solid arm. He can play small ball too even though his speed is average at best. He will tackle the Double-A level again at Midland this time in 2015.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #17 prospect in 2014
  Wendle finished his college career by leading West Chester (Pa.) to its first-ever NCAA Division II national championship in 2012. He cost the Indians just $10,000 as a sixth-round senior sign after batting .366 over four years in college, and he hasn't skipped a beat since turning pro. Wendle's hit tool might be the only one that's plus, but that could be enough to get him to the majors. He has a short, compact swing, an advanced feel for hitting and solid control of the strike zone. He probably will settle in around 10-12 homers per year at the upper levels, with more of his sock coming to his pull side. He has good hands and agility at second base to go with adequate range and arm strength. His speed rates as merely fringe-average. The organization loves Wendle's blue-collar mentality and top-shelf makeup. He finished 2013 by handling himself well in the Arizona Fall League and will move up to Double-A Akron in 2014. With Jason Kipnis in the majors and the Indians' depth of middle-infield prospects, he may have more luck as a utility player or trade bait.