The Latest: Today, the A's traded away 31 year old 1B/OF, Brandon Moss to the Cleveland Indians for AA Prospect infielder, Joe Wendle. In the duration that Moss was with the Athletics, he his over 75 home runs and drove in 220, for a .254/.340/.504 slash, with an accumulated WAR of 6.5. Moss exuded most of his power against right-handed pitching, hitting 63 of his total 76 off of right-handers. Moss played through a nagging bone-to-bone hip injury most of 2014 and hit .173 with 67 strikeouts, 4 home runs and 15 RBIs in 58 games after the All-Star break. Despite Moss's heroic multi-homerun, show case in the Wild Card defeat against the Royals, Beane felt that the best decision in moving forward was by getting a young and talented second base prospect, Joe Wendle.
Joey Wendle: Wendle was drafted in the 6th round of the 2012 by the Cleveland Indians out of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Prior to being drafted, Wendle attended Avon Grove High School in Pennyslvania where he was described as a "very disciplined hitter," who always made contact and was tough to strikeout. In 2009, as a Sophomore, Wendle started all 58 games and hit .325 with 67 hits, 16 doubles, 2 home runs, 36 RBIs, stole 15 bases, and posted a .974 fielding percentage. He was named second team all league, and won the ABAC Rawlings Gold Glove award. He also added a solo home run in the NCAA Championship game. In 2010 Wendle again, started all 53 games, posting a .389 batting average with 81 hits, 20 doubles, 7 home runs, 18 stolen bases, .443 OBP, .635 Slug, and a .969 fielding percentage. He was named first team all league and had a hitting streak of 23 games. In 2011, Wendle played in 41 games, hit .346 with 47 hits, 32 runs, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, .406 OBP, and struck out a total of 3 times in 136 ABs. Again, he was named first team all league. His decrease in playing time leads me to believe he was injured, but I couldn't find the info to prove this. In 2012, now Captain of the Golden Rams, Wendle hit .399 with 79 hits, 64 runs, 12 home runs, 59 rbis, .479 OBP, .769 Slug, and struck out a total of 5 times in 198 ABs. Wow.
MILB: Wendle made his professional debut for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (2012) where he hit .327/.375/.469, with 32 runs, 4 home runs and 37 RBIs. Wendle posted better numbers at home, .364/.420/.525 vs. .291/.331/.417, and surprisingly hit both left and right handed pitching well, .347/.392/.417 vs. .318/.367/.491. Wendle broke out in 2013 with the Single-A, Carolina Mudcats. He had 413 ABs, 73 runs, 32 doubles, 5 triples, 16 HR, 64 RBIs, 10 SB and slashed .295/.372/.513. However, Wendle endured a freak injury that caused him to miss a month of the season. As he should, Wendle went over to cover second base on a stolen-base attempt, but the ball skidded off the wet grass and hit in the eye, which broke his orbital. Upon his return, Wendle said “I wouldn’t say I felt uneasy or shy at the ball. It was a freak accident. I haven’t seen it happen very often. I’m confident it won’t happen again.” The numbers don’t lie, Wendle hit exceptionally well despite his obstacle. In contrast, his 2014 wasn’t as impressive. He played most of his games with the Double-AA, Akron Rubber Ducks where he had 358 ABs, 54 runs, 21 doubles, 6 triples, 8 HR, 54 RBIs, and slashed .265/.326/.425 en total (AA). I believe the reason for his under productive season was due to his injury. Wendle’s season was interrupted when he broke a bone in his hand in June, sidelining him for eight weeks. Since then, Wendle has fully recovered from his injury.
Diamond in the Rough: Wendle was ranked the 9th best prospect in the Tribe farm system. He’s been known as a very consistent player who doesn’t give up a pitch. Ever since his orbital injury, he’s developed a source of power. He led the Mudcats in home runs and hit the second most home runs on the Rubber Ducks. Wendle’s rising power has intrigued both Indians’ scouts, and (now we know) A’s scouts. In a quote from Wendle he said, "I have been pleased with the amount of the power I have been able to show," he said. "I'm a little surprised with it. I have kind of stuck to the same approach that I have always had. I have been able to get some balls in the zone and been able to drive them out. I wouldn't consider myself a power hitter. I'm just trying to put the barrel of the bat on the ball and lately they have been going out." His study and strong build is atypical for a second baseman, but hopefully his power will continue to develop and he will stay consistent at the plate. (And healthy!).
Sources:
http://didthetribewinlastnight.com/blog/tag/joey-wendle/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/06/07/west-chesters-wendle-follows-up-title-with-draft/
http://www.letsgotribe.com/2014/10/12/6964519/joe-wendle-news-top-indians-prospects
http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20130717/indians-carolina-second-baseman-joe-wendle-could-be-hidden-gem-in-tribes-farm-system
Joey Wendle: Wendle was drafted in the 6th round of the 2012 by the Cleveland Indians out of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Prior to being drafted, Wendle attended Avon Grove High School in Pennyslvania where he was described as a "very disciplined hitter," who always made contact and was tough to strikeout. In 2009, as a Sophomore, Wendle started all 58 games and hit .325 with 67 hits, 16 doubles, 2 home runs, 36 RBIs, stole 15 bases, and posted a .974 fielding percentage. He was named second team all league, and won the ABAC Rawlings Gold Glove award. He also added a solo home run in the NCAA Championship game. In 2010 Wendle again, started all 53 games, posting a .389 batting average with 81 hits, 20 doubles, 7 home runs, 18 stolen bases, .443 OBP, .635 Slug, and a .969 fielding percentage. He was named first team all league and had a hitting streak of 23 games. In 2011, Wendle played in 41 games, hit .346 with 47 hits, 32 runs, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, .406 OBP, and struck out a total of 3 times in 136 ABs. Again, he was named first team all league. His decrease in playing time leads me to believe he was injured, but I couldn't find the info to prove this. In 2012, now Captain of the Golden Rams, Wendle hit .399 with 79 hits, 64 runs, 12 home runs, 59 rbis, .479 OBP, .769 Slug, and struck out a total of 5 times in 198 ABs. Wow.
MILB: Wendle made his professional debut for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (2012) where he hit .327/.375/.469, with 32 runs, 4 home runs and 37 RBIs. Wendle posted better numbers at home, .364/.420/.525 vs. .291/.331/.417, and surprisingly hit both left and right handed pitching well, .347/.392/.417 vs. .318/.367/.491. Wendle broke out in 2013 with the Single-A, Carolina Mudcats. He had 413 ABs, 73 runs, 32 doubles, 5 triples, 16 HR, 64 RBIs, 10 SB and slashed .295/.372/.513. However, Wendle endured a freak injury that caused him to miss a month of the season. As he should, Wendle went over to cover second base on a stolen-base attempt, but the ball skidded off the wet grass and hit in the eye, which broke his orbital. Upon his return, Wendle said “I wouldn’t say I felt uneasy or shy at the ball. It was a freak accident. I haven’t seen it happen very often. I’m confident it won’t happen again.” The numbers don’t lie, Wendle hit exceptionally well despite his obstacle. In contrast, his 2014 wasn’t as impressive. He played most of his games with the Double-AA, Akron Rubber Ducks where he had 358 ABs, 54 runs, 21 doubles, 6 triples, 8 HR, 54 RBIs, and slashed .265/.326/.425 en total (AA). I believe the reason for his under productive season was due to his injury. Wendle’s season was interrupted when he broke a bone in his hand in June, sidelining him for eight weeks. Since then, Wendle has fully recovered from his injury.
Diamond in the Rough: Wendle was ranked the 9th best prospect in the Tribe farm system. He’s been known as a very consistent player who doesn’t give up a pitch. Ever since his orbital injury, he’s developed a source of power. He led the Mudcats in home runs and hit the second most home runs on the Rubber Ducks. Wendle’s rising power has intrigued both Indians’ scouts, and (now we know) A’s scouts. In a quote from Wendle he said, "I have been pleased with the amount of the power I have been able to show," he said. "I'm a little surprised with it. I have kind of stuck to the same approach that I have always had. I have been able to get some balls in the zone and been able to drive them out. I wouldn't consider myself a power hitter. I'm just trying to put the barrel of the bat on the ball and lately they have been going out." His study and strong build is atypical for a second baseman, but hopefully his power will continue to develop and he will stay consistent at the plate. (And healthy!).
Sources:
http://didthetribewinlastnight.com/blog/tag/joey-wendle/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/06/07/west-chesters-wendle-follows-up-title-with-draft/
http://www.letsgotribe.com/2014/10/12/6964519/joe-wendle-news-top-indians-prospects
http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20130717/indians-carolina-second-baseman-joe-wendle-could-be-hidden-gem-in-tribes-farm-system