The Rangers traded infielder Davis Wendzel to the Reds for cash considerations, reports Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today (X link). The infielder had been designated for assignment by the Rangers yesterday.
Wendzel, 27, was selected with the 41st overall pick back in 2019. As a prospect, he was considered to have a strong hit tool but questionable power. Moving up to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League seemed to help him put balls over the fence. In 2022, he got into 85 games in that league and hit 17 home runs. Last year, another 124 games led to another 30 homers.
This year, he finally got up to the majors but didn’t do much in his first taste of the show, with a line of .128/.163/.234 through his first 49 plate appearances. But he also added another six home runs in 34 more Triple-A contests this year.
Though he got squeezed off the roster in Texas, it’s understandable why the Reds were interested. Between last year and this year, he has 36 homers in 158 Triple-A contests while also drawing walks at a 13.3% clip. That’s in the super-charged offensive environment of the PCL but his .248/.366/.480 batting line still leads to an above-average 105 wRC+.
Since Wendzel has played all four infield spots in his career, he has various paths to get into the lineup. But since he has a full slate of options, he also might find himself serving in a depth role until he’s needed.
They make a good pretzel…
Wendzel’s Prendzels.
Rangers are getting waiver $ some people going to be out on waivers soon like Conforto!!!
Last one of the deadline?
They need another infielder like a hole in the head.
The Reds haven’t done much to move the needle anytime soon. The good news is they still have all of their young minor league trade chips. The team needs good health and hitters. The latter can come through good trades or free agency.
Assuming they can make good trades or good free agent signings in the offseason.
Good move for the Reds. Good glove and when he gets his bat going, he can rake. Just need a bit more time.
What Bat, he has not proven anything with regards to hitting MLB pitching, his big ole .128 AVG proves that.
We don’t need more infielders.
The Reds basically just swapped out Livan Soto for Wendzel as their depth infielder with options to keep stashed in the minors.
I am sure the altar worshippers are enjoying the big middle finger Reds management has shown them for yet another year.
Anyone who buys any tickets and gives this franchise a cent being treated constantly like this is foolish.
Aka known as Jax, from Sons of Anarchy…
Who knew he was good with the glove?
The Cincinnati Reds are a second rate professional sports franchise. They have picked up every bargain player they can get their hands on to see if any stick. None have. They cannot sign quality free agents nor draft well. They treat their fans like they are stupid. The Reds have the longest tenured manager in the league and he is 50 games under .500. He was in charge of the meltdown of 2021 then comes back in 2022 and loses 100 games. Your favorite team would have fired him twice. The Reds sign him to a 3 year extension just 6 mos later. Your GM may suck but the Reds GM should be working at Best Buy. Noone in the front office is qualified to run a KFC let alone a sports franchise. Detroit signs Flaherty in the offseason and flip him to Dodgers for good prospects. The Reds chose to sign Frankie Montas (coming off major injuries) and sign him for almost double the amount Flaherty signed for. They flipped Montas to their division rival for a middling middle reliever lol. They suck but will never suck bad enough to where fans demand change, because that would cost money. Reds fans have been proven to be lovably gullible and the organization takes advantage of them. This franchise is embarrassing and have no desire to win nor will they ever until the team is sold.
Barry Larkin loves you. Sabos goggles can hold your tears. At least you love baseball.
Then go away.
It would be great to have a 270 million dollar cable contract. Yep, that would help a little.