No. 29: Jack Wenninger, RHP

B/T: L/R      Age: 22 (03/13/02)
Ht: 6’4″        Weight: 210 lbs
Acquired: Selected in the sixth round by the Mets in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft.
ETA: 2026   Previous Rank: Unranked
2024 Stats: 115 IP, 25 G (19 GS), 4.30 ERA, 1.278 WHIP, 140 SO, 40 BB – Single-A (15 games), High-A (10 games)

Overview

Right-handed pitcher Jack Wenninger has been within the New York Mets’ system since being drafted in 2023 out of the University of Illinois. Before Illinois, Wenninger began his collegiate career at Murray State in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).

While at Murray State, he posted a 5.26 ERA across 51 1/3 innings striking out 42 and walking 27 as a freshman, getting named to the All-OVC Freshman Team. Wenninger then transferred to the Big 10 and Illinois where he posted a 5.71 ERA across 34 2/3 innings. Then, the following year, he improved on his numbers putting forth a career-best 4.59 ERA across 80 1/3 innings striking out 76 and walking 28. He started 14 of his 15 appearances.

As a result of those appearances the Barrington, Illinois native was drafted by the Mets in the sixth round of the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft. He signed for slightly below slot at $225,000. The now 22-year-old endured his first full professional season in 2024, posting so-so numbers overall.

He began the season with the St. Lucie Mets in Single-A, struggling for the most part, owning a 5.02 ERA across 71 2/3 innings. He stared 10 of the 15 games he appeared in, striking out 89 with 23 walks. Despite the, on paper, ugly ERA, the metrics painted Wenninger as a much better pitcher, crediting him with a 3.97 FIP and 3.02 xFIP while with St. Lucie.

In July, Wenninger was called up to High-A Brooklyn where he spent the remainder of the season. The traditional numbers improved tenfold from St. Lucie, as he posted a 3.12 ERA across 43 1/3 innings. The strikeout rate was still good, as he punched out 51, but he did see his walk rate elevate from the Single-A level to 3.53 (BB/9). However, what may have been the biggest difference was his home run rate, which dropped from 1.26 HR/9 to just 0.21 with Brooklyn. As far as the underlying metrics, once again, with Brooklyn, they were very strong; FIP of 2.89 and xFIP of 3.76.

Statistics and his journey thus far aside, Wenninger’s repertoire features a fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball. His best pitch is said to be his changeup, which is complimented by a low-to-mid 90 mph fastball. His large 6-foot-4 frame allows him to get great extension off the mound, helping that fastball look faster than it actually is. His diverse cupboard of pitches has helped him succeed as a starting pitcher thus far throughout his short professional career.

2025 Outlook

Given Wenninger only made nine starts for High-A Brooklyn in 2024, he may get a few starts at that level in 2025 before promotion. If not, it is entirely possible he begins the season in Double-A Binghamton. If all goes well in Binghamton, Wenninger may find himself at the Triple-A level. This would put him on pace for a major-league appearance sometime in 2026, of course, if his develop continues to progress at the rate it has.

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