Andrew Wantz #31

Andrew Hunter Wantz (last name rhymes with ‘pants’)...On Twitter: @Andrew_Wantz...Did not play during 2020 season...Gave pitching lessons during the Covid-19 shutdown and worked out in a friend’s garage in North Carolina...Played collegiately at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he majored in business administration...In 2016, was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection and SoCon Co-Pitcher of the Year...Also earned All-SoCon second-team honors in 2018...Graduate of Holly Spring HS (Holly Springs, NC)...Tabbed 2014 Atlantic Region Honorable Mention by Perfect Game…Named to the all-conference team his junior year after compiling a 9-1 record, 1.70 ERA and fanning 76 batters – the second most in a single season in school history...Andrew’s mother, Sherry, tracked down Brandon Marsh’s first career home run ball from the fan who caught it on Aug. 25, 2021 in Baltimore, and returned the ball to Andrew in the bullpen to give it to Marsh...Originally signed by Angels scout Chris McAlpin.

2023

Went 2-0 with a 3.89 ERA (39.1 IP - 17 ER) and 33 strikeouts in 27 games (three starts) across five stints with Angels...As a reliever, went 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA (33.1 IP - 15 ER) and 29 strikeouts in 24 appearances...Recorded a 4.56 ERA (23.3 IP - 12 ER) in first half of the season, then finished second half with a 2.87 ERA (15.2 IP - 5 ER)...Went unscored upon in 17 of 27 pitching appearances...In 22 games for Triple-A Salt Lake, went 0-0 with a 4.62 ERA (25.1 IP - 13 ER) and 29 strikeouts.

2022

Totaled 42 Major League appearances across three stints with Angels and set career bests in every pitching category...Started year at Triple-A Salt Lake and made four appearances for Bees before being recalled Apr. 19 for first big league stint of season (Apr. 19-May 2)...Did not pitch for Angels during second MLB stint (May 14-17)...Was in Majors for remainder of season following June 1 recall...Held right-handers to a .180 (20/111) average for season, which ranked second on Angels pitching staff (min. 100 AB), behind Jimmy Herget (.174)...Made first start of career June 26 vs. Seattle as an Opener...Was ejected in 2nd inning after hitting Jesse Winker with a pitch and ultimately served a three-game suspension...Pitched to a 1.80 ERA (20 IP - 4 ER) with 18 strikeouts during a 19 game stretch from July 3 - Sept. 5...Recorded two wins for Angels: June 19 at Seattle (1 IP, 2 SO) and Aug. 28 at Toronto (1 IP).

2021

Began season at Triple-A Salt Lake and made eight appearances (five starts) for Bees before having contract selected July 3...Was 1-0 with a 2.10 ERA (25.2 IP - 6 ER) and 25 strikeouts in those initial eight outings for Salt Lake...Made Major League debut with Angels on July 4 vs. Baltimore and became first player from the Angels 2018 Draft class to reach the Majors...Recorded first career strikeout vs. Domingo Leyba...Totaled four appearances during first big league stint before being optioned back to Salt Lake on July 27...Worked 2.2 perfect innings for Bees across two outings (Aug. 1 & Aug. 3) before being recalled Aug. 6, but was optioned again Aug. 8 without appearing for Angels...After not allowing an earned run in each of his next two relief outings (2 IP) for Salt Lake, he was recalled for third big league stint Aug. 18, and remained in Majors for remainder of season...Overall, did not allow an earned run in each of his last eight minor league games (two starts), working 15 innings with 15 strikeouts...Earned first Major League win Aug. 28 vs. San Diego following 1.1 innings of scoreless relief work, with three strikeouts... Did not allow a run in 14 of 21 overall Major League appearances...Ranked third among Angels pitchers, averaging 12.5 SO/9 innings and held opponents to a .219 batting average (23/105).

2020

Did not play during 2020 season...Gave pitching lessons during the Covid-19 shutdown and worked out in a friend’s garage in North Carolina.