Recently-drafted infielder has been a standout SF Giants performer in the Arizona Fall League

Dalton Wentz began his pro career in the summer after being selected in the 16th round out of Wake Forest University. After receiving a surprise invite to the Arizona Fall League (AFL), he has been the standout performer among the SF Giants contingent.

It was a surprise because the Giants rarely send players to the AFL in their draft year. Joe Panik in 2011 and Carson Whisenhunt in 2022 were the most recent examples.

There used to be something of a bridge league for newly drafted players that was akin to the AFL. That was the Hawaiian Winter League, which folded after the 2008 season. In the final year, Buster Posey and Roger Kieschnick, both of whom were drafted in 2008, won the league with the Waikiki Beach Boys.

SF Giants infield prospect has continued to be a run producer for the Scottsdale Scorpions

Wentz was projected to go higher in the draft, but slid to the 16th round due to signability concerns as a draft-eligible sophomore. He had considerable leverage in his favor by having the option to return to college.

Instead, the Giants struck a deal right before the signing deadline by allocating the remainder of their bonus pool to sign Wentz. He earned a $584,955 signing bonus, which was the equivalent of a fourth-round pick.

The Giants sent the switch-hitting infielder to the AFL to challenge him against more advanced pitching. They also gave him a relatively aggressive assignment to the Northwest League to begin his pro career. At times, that initial assignment is where a player is needed most, but Wentz quickly proved that he could handle High-A pitching.

During Wentz's time with the Eugene Emeralds, he posted a .797 OPS with six extra-base hits, including one home run, with 10 RBI in 57 plate appearances. He quickly established himself as a run producer in that lineup. Many hitters struggle to adjust to pro pitching, but that was not the case for Wentz.

The 21-year-old infielder received an invite to the AFL along with several other notable Giants, including Randy Rodríguez, Dakota Jordan, and Kaeden Kent. The Giants are using the AFL as a rehab assignment for Rodríguez, but they are also seemingly using it as a way to see where Wentz is in his development.

Wentz has not disappointed, as he has put up a .967 OPS with one home run and 13 RBI for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He is second on the team in RBI, which is especially impressive considering that he only has 32 at-bats to his ledger. It is late in the AFL season, and many players have already tallied more than 50 plate appearances. In his brief pro career, Wentz has already made a favorable impression.

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