On February 16, 2018, Andrew Wantz delivered a relief performance that helped launch his journey from UNCG to Major League Baseball.
UNCG opened the 2018 season with a 10-3 victory over Appalachian State at UNCG Baseball Stadium, but the final score does not fully capture how pivotal the middle innings proved to be. In the sixth inning, with the game tied 2-2, reliever Jake Lewis ran into trouble. After walking two hitters and striking out two of the first four he faced in the frame, Lewis allowed an RBI single that gave Appalachian State a 3-2 lead and threatened to tilt the game further.
With two outs and runners aboard, head coach Link Jarrett turned to Wantz. The right-hander entered a high-pressure moment and immediately induced a foul out to end the inning. From there, he took command. Wantz retired all six batters he faced over the next two innings, shutting down Appalachian State’s offense and restoring stability.
As Wantz controlled the mound, the Spartans responded at the plate. UNCG scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to reclaim a 5-3 lead and continued to build separation, ultimately securing a 10-3 season-opening win. Wantz finished with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits or walks while striking out two on 30 pitches. He earned the victory, the first of the 2018 season.
The Encore: Back-to-Back Dominance
The following game brought a familiar script. Once again summoned from the bullpen, Wantz delivered another dominant outing. He threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out five hitters, again providing multi-inning stability at a critical juncture.
When Wantz entered the contest, UNCG trailed 6-3. His shutdown relief kept the deficit manageable and allowed the offense to regroup. The Spartans rallied, turning the three-run deficit into an 11-6 victory and completing a dramatic turnaround.
Jarrett underscored the impact afterward.
“(Andrew) Wantz really came in and picked us up in this one, giving us almost three innings of good relief pitching. He made big pitches when we needed him and that allowed our offense to get back in it.”
Across opening weekend, Wantz threw five scoreless innings and struck out seven batters. The performances were more than early-season highlights; they were indicators of a reliever capable of handling leverage, extended outings, and momentum-shifting moments.
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A Dominant 2018 Campaign
The opening series proved to be a preview of the season to come. In 2018, Wantz made 26 appearances and emerged as one of the most dependable relievers in the Southern Conference. He posted a 2.95 ERA across 55.0 innings while striking out 81 hitters and holding opponents to a team-low .214 batting average. He finished the year 6-0 with a team-high 10 saves.
His effectiveness was even more pronounced in conference play, where he went 3-0 with three saves and a 0.40 ERA. Whether closing games or bridging multiple innings, Wantz combined swing-and-miss stuff with command in high-leverage situations. His ability to limit hard contact and work efficiently over extended relief outings became defining traits.
A Historic Spartan Career
By the end of his collegiate career, Wantz had secured a place among UNCG’s all-time standouts. He tied the program’s career saves record with 19 and struck out 278 batters over four seasons. Along the way, he earned multiple All-SoCon honors and established himself as a bullpen anchor.
Professional baseball followed. Wantz was selected in the seventh round of the MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels, transitioning from Southern Conference standout to professional prospect.
From SoCon Standout to the Major Leagues
Wantz reached the major leagues in 2021, completing the progression from UNCG reliever to MLB bullpen arm. He has since made 90 Major League appearances and maintained a career ERA under 4.00, demonstrating the same multi-inning capability and competitive edge that defined his college tenure.
His professional journey has included stretches of effective relief work as well as periods of command inconsistency. An elbow surgery sidelined him for much of the 2025 season, temporarily halting his momentum. However, he returned late in the year with AAA Durham, throwing three scoreless innings in September and signaling renewed health.
On January 30, 2026, the Tampa Bay Rays extended a non-roster invitation to Wantz for spring training. Entering the 2026 season, he is competing for a bullpen role, bringing with him the durability, versatility, and experience he has developed from Greensboro to the majors. Stay up to date on Wantz and other Spartan professionals this spring in Tracking Every UNC Greensboro MLB and MiLB Player in 2026.
The Point After
February 16, 2018, represents more than an opening day win. It marks a defining moment in the Andrew Wantz UNCG baseball MLB career timeline, when a composed right-hander entered a pressure-packed situation and altered the course of a game. That performance, and the ones that followed that weekend, foreshadowed a professional future built on making decisive pitches in decisive moments.
The Southern Conference continues to produce players capable of ascending to the highest level of the sport. Wantz’s path from a clutch relief outing in Greensboro to competing for a Major League bullpen role illustrates how pivotal college performances can echo far beyond campus.
