Tigers acquire Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte from Atlanta in exchange for Shane Greene

July 31st, 2019

The Detroit Tigers today announced that they have acquired LHP Joey Wentz and OF Travis Demeritte from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for RHP Shane Greene.

"We're very excited to add two significant prospects to our organization," said Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, Al Avila. "Wentz is a highly competitive lefthanded pitcher with a three-pitch mix, who we see as a great addition to our already formidable stable of young arms in the player development system. We're also adding a solid athlete in Demeritte, who has shown spectacular power in Triple A and is someone we can see making an impact in our outfield in the near future.

"We'd also like to thank Shane for his hard work and dedication to this organization since he joined us in 2015, and wish him all the best in his future."

Wentz, who is 21-years old and stands 6-5, 210-pounds, is rated as the seventh-best prospect in the Braves organization, according to MLB Pipeline. In 20 starts this season with Double A Mississippi, Wentz has posted a 5-8 record with a 4.72 ERA (103.0IP/54ER) and 100 strikeouts. He currently ranks eighth in the Southern League in strikeouts, while he is 10th in innings pitched. Wentz, who was named the Most Outstanding Pitcher in the South Atlantic League in 2017, has started 74 games in his professional career, compiling a 17-19 record with a 3.31 ERA (345.2IP/127ER) and 358 strikeouts. Wentz was selected in the Competitive Balance Round A of the 2016 draft out of Shawnee Mission East High School (KS).

Demeritte, 24, is ranked as the 24th-best prospect in the Braves organization by Baseball America. Demeritte has appeared in 96 games with Triple A Gwinnett this season, and is hitting .286/.387/.558 with 28 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs and 74 RBI. An International League All-Star this season, he currently ranks third in runs scored (68), doubles and RBI, fourth in extra-base hits (40), sixth in OPS (.945) and total bases (189), eighth in slugging percentage and 10th in on-base percentage and walks (51). In seven Minor League seasons, Demeritte has hit .244/.339/.464 with 133 doubles, 28 triples, 114 home runs and 357 RBI. He stands at 6-0 and 210-pounds, and was named a California League All-Star in 2016 and a Southern League All-Star in 2017. Demeritte was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of Winder-Barrow High School (GA).

Greene, 30, has appeared in 38 games for the Tigers this season, posting a 0-2 record with 22 saves, a 1.18 ERA (38.0IP/5ER) and 43 strikeouts. He currently ranks fourth in the American League and 10th in the Majors with 22 saves. Among big league relievers with at least 38.0 innings pitched, Greene ranks second in ERA, fourth with a .153 (21x137) opponent batting average and eighth with a 0.87 WHIP.