Frontline control caster?

[Eldariel]

Armor of Agathys + Arcane Ward from Abjurers is an amazing combination if you wish to be at melee. Great endurance with good retribution damage as Ludic pointed out. And since you are a Wizard, you can still do all the controlling shenanigans. My preferred way to build upon that is through a Mark of Warding Dwarf, but a single level of Hexblade (as always), will do wonders to you.

Another Wizard subclass that is quite good at close-quarters is the Enchanter in order to deploy Hypnotic Gaze. Cast some BA concentrado spell like Flaming Sphere, lockdown one enemy and go after the rest. It’s super effective.

Armored Necromancer is pretty sweet with Spirit Shroud too, getting 3x3 Grim Harvest procs for every kill within 10' (and the usual superfrontline Zombies and backline Skeletons plus free Magens and what-have-yous).