2022 / AS A JUNIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Made 13 of his 14 appearances as a weekend starter
• Only relief outing was in the rubber game of the Penn State series after an injury had limited him to two innings over the the previous three weeks
• Purdue's first newcomer to earn an Opening Day start since future big leaguer Josh Lindblom in 2007
• Joined Tanner Andrews, Joe Haase, Matt Morgan and Matt Bischoff among recent Boilermakers to start season and Big Ten Tournament openers
• Issued more than two walks in only five of his 14 appearances while compiling a 3.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio
• Struck out 10 over 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a March 20 victory vs. Illinois State
• Also impressed in a series-clinching win vs. Michigan, striking out eight over six innings of two-run ball
• Was a big reason Purdue went 8-0 on its North Carolina road trip, giving up just four earned over 15 1/3 innings and delivering a pair of quality starts
• Racked up 56 strikeouts over 56 2/3 innings to help the Boilermakers break records for strikeouts and Ks per nine innings
BEFORE PURDUE
• Spent his first three collegiate seasons at Indian Hills College in Ottumwa, Iowa
• Did not pitch in 2020 prior to the shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Went 8-3 with three complete games in 12 starts in 2021, racking up 72 strikeouts vs 64 hits allowed in 65 innings
• Beat No. 1-ranked Wabash Valley with six innings of one-run ball in Game 1 of championship series at the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament, helping propel his team to the NJCAA World Series as part of a 44-16 season
• Also pitched Indian Hills to victory in the rubber game of the NJCAA Region XI Championship Series, working eight innings of two-run ball
• Three-time Iowa Community Colleges Athletic Conference D-I Pitcher of the Week in 2019
• Compiled a 2.84 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 63 innings as a freshman, earning seven wins and a save in 13 appearances
• Registered 56 strikeouts vs 15 walks in 2019, 72 Ks vs 24 walks in 65 innings in 2021
• Indian Hills Athletics Choice Competitive Excellence award recipient in 2020
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Garrett Duman at Rock Canyon High School in the south suburbs of Denver
• Second-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a senior
• Team MVP of the Oklahoma Sunbelt Classic as a junior
• Also played for the Colorado Junior Team
PERSONAL
• Major: Selling and Sales Management
• Born in Denver, Colorado
• Parents are Turk and Barb Wendell
• Family also includes older sister Dakota
• Dad pitched in the big leagues for 11 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets after a collegiate career at Quinnipiac (where he is a Hall of Famer)
• Dad pitched in the 2000 World Series (Subway Series) between the Yankees and Mets
• Sister played soccer at Minnesota State and enjoyed a 17-goal season as a junior
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Boston Red Sox
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): New York Yankees
Favorite Athlete: Jacob deGrom
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Turk Wendell, Father
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Pro Stadium: Fenway Park
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Pat Daugherty Field
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Mike Bolton Jr.
Current MLB Hitter He’d Like to Face: Bryce Harper
Funniest Teammate: Jake Jarvis
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Evan Albrecht
Purdue Staff Member He Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Coach John Madia
In His Favorite Playlist: Garth Brooks
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Tim McGraw
Favorite Multi-Media App: Twitter
Favorite Sci-Fi Series: Stranger Things
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Ozark
Favorite Video Game: Call of Duty
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hunting
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Golf
Favorite Purdue Building: Mollenkopf Athletic Center
Favorite Big City: Denver, Colorado
Unique Travel Locale: Alaska
Country He’d Like to Visit: New Zealand
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach or Mountains: Mountains
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Jackson Smeltz as a Farmer
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Junior College World Series with Indian Hills in 2021
Furry Friend: Otis, Black Lab
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Made 13 of his 14 appearances as a weekend starter
• Only relief outing was in the rubber game of the Penn State series after an injury had limited him to two innings over the the previous three weeks
• Purdue's first newcomer to earn an Opening Day start since future big leaguer Josh Lindblom in 2007
• Joined Tanner Andrews, Joe Haase, Matt Morgan and Matt Bischoff among recent Boilermakers to start season and Big Ten Tournament openers
• Issued more than two walks in only five of his 14 appearances while compiling a 3.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio
• Struck out 10 over 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a March 20 victory vs. Illinois State
• Also impressed in a series-clinching win vs. Michigan, striking out eight over six innings of two-run ball
• Was a big reason Purdue went 8-0 on its North Carolina road trip, giving up just four earned over 15 1/3 innings and delivering a pair of quality starts
• Racked up 56 strikeouts over 56 2/3 innings to help the Boilermakers break records for strikeouts and Ks per nine innings
BEFORE PURDUE
• Spent his first three collegiate seasons at Indian Hills College in Ottumwa, Iowa
• Did not pitch in 2020 prior to the shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Went 8-3 with three complete games in 12 starts in 2021, racking up 72 strikeouts vs 64 hits allowed in 65 innings
• Beat No. 1-ranked Wabash Valley with six innings of one-run ball in Game 1 of championship series at the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament, helping propel his team to the NJCAA World Series as part of a 44-16 season
• Also pitched Indian Hills to victory in the rubber game of the NJCAA Region XI Championship Series, working eight innings of two-run ball
• Three-time Iowa Community Colleges Athletic Conference D-I Pitcher of the Week in 2019
• Compiled a 2.84 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 63 innings as a freshman, earning seven wins and a save in 13 appearances
• Registered 56 strikeouts vs 15 walks in 2019, 72 Ks vs 24 walks in 65 innings in 2021
• Indian Hills Athletics Choice Competitive Excellence award recipient in 2020
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Garrett Duman at Rock Canyon High School in the south suburbs of Denver
• Second-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a senior
• Team MVP of the Oklahoma Sunbelt Classic as a junior
• Also played for the Colorado Junior Team
PERSONAL
• Major: Selling and Sales Management
• Born in Denver, Colorado
• Parents are Turk and Barb Wendell
• Family also includes older sister Dakota
• Dad pitched in the big leagues for 11 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets after a collegiate career at Quinnipiac (where he is a Hall of Famer)
• Dad pitched in the 2000 World Series (Subway Series) between the Yankees and Mets
• Sister played soccer at Minnesota State and enjoyed a 17-goal season as a junior
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Boston Red Sox
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): New York Yankees
Favorite Athlete: Jacob deGrom
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Turk Wendell, Father
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Pro Stadium: Fenway Park
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Pat Daugherty Field
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Mike Bolton Jr.
Current MLB Hitter He’d Like to Face: Bryce Harper
Funniest Teammate: Jake Jarvis
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Evan Albrecht
Purdue Staff Member He Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Coach John Madia
In His Favorite Playlist: Garth Brooks
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Tim McGraw
Favorite Multi-Media App: Twitter
Favorite Sci-Fi Series: Stranger Things
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Ozark
Favorite Video Game: Call of Duty
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hunting
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Golf
Favorite Purdue Building: Mollenkopf Athletic Center
Favorite Big City: Denver, Colorado
Unique Travel Locale: Alaska
Country He’d Like to Visit: New Zealand
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach or Mountains: Mountains
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Jackson Smeltz as a Farmer
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Junior College World Series with Indian Hills in 2021
Furry Friend: Otis, Black Lab