Joey Lucchesi Bio
Joseph George Lucchesi, known professionally as Joey Lucchesi, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and has built a reputation as a crafty left-handed starter known for generating swings and misses. Across his major league career, Lucchesi has recorded a 23–28 win–loss record, a 4.15 earned run average (ERA), and 423 strikeouts.
Early Life and Background
Joseph George Lucchesi was born on June 6, 1993, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a fan of the Oakland Athletics. He attended Newark Memorial High School in Newark, California, where he began developing his pitching skills. Lucchesi went on to play college baseball at Chabot College before transferring to Southeast Missouri State University. At Southeast Missouri State, he became one of the most decorated pitchers in program history and earned the nickname “Fuego” from a teammate while attempting to set up a social media handle, a moniker that has followed him throughout his professional career.
Path to Professional Baseball
During his time at Southeast Missouri State University, Lucchesi emerged as one of the top college pitchers in the country. He was named the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in both 2015 and 2016, becoming the first pitcher in conference history to earn the award in back-to-back years. In his junior season of 2016, he posted a 10–5 record with a 2.19 ERA across 17 games, and he set a school record with 242 career strikeouts. His standout college performance led to his selection by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, launching his professional career.
Joey Lucchesi Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
After being drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2016, Lucchesi made his professional debut with the Tri-City Dust Devils. On July 28, 2016, he combined with three other pitchers to throw a one-hitter against the Spokane Indians, and he was later promoted to the Fort Wayne TinCaps. In 15 total games between the two clubs, he posted a 1.29 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 42 innings. In 2017, Lucchesi pitched for both the Lake Elsinore Storm and the San Antonio Missions, recording a combined 11–7 record with a 2.20 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 24 games, establishing himself as one of the Padres’ top pitching prospects.
San Diego Padres Era (2018–2020)
Lucchesi made his major league debut on March 30, 2018, at Petco Park against the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the first pitcher from the 2016 draft class to reach the majors. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits. He finished his rookie campaign with an 8–9 record and a 4.08 ERA in 26 starts, leading the Padres’ rotation with 10 strikeouts per nine innings. In 2019, Lucchesi had his best major league season, leading the Padres’ pitching staff with 10 wins, 163 2/3 innings pitched, and 158 strikeouts while posting a 4.18 ERA in 30 starts. He also allowed the lowest line drive percentage among all major league pitchers that year. His 2020 season was cut short by struggles, as he recorded a 0–1 record and 7.94 ERA in limited action before the team made changes to its roster.
New York Mets Era (2021–2024)
On January 19, 2021, Lucchesi was traded to the New York Mets as part of a three-team deal that sent Joe Musgrove to the Padres. He posted a 1–4 record with a 4.46 ERA in 11 games before being diagnosed with a significant tear in his left elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament, which led to Tommy John surgery and ended his 2021 season. After missing all of 2022, Lucchesi returned to the mound in 2023, going 4–0 with a 2.89 ERA in nine starts for the Mets. In 2024, he bounced between Triple-A Syracuse and the majors before being designated for assignment in July, ultimately electing free agency at the end of the season.
San Francisco Giants Era (2025)
On January 20, 2025, Lucchesi signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants and was called up to the majors on June 15. He made a career-high 38 appearances for San Francisco, posting a 0–1 record and 3.76 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 38 1/3 innings. On November 21, 2025, Lucchesi was non-tendered by the Giants and became a free agent, then re-signed with the team on a minor league deal in March 2026 before being released prior to Opening Day.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2026)
On March 24, 2026, Lucchesi signed a one-year major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He made three early-season appearances but struggled to a 7.71 ERA and was designated for assignment on April 5, electing free agency two days later. After briefly rejoining the Angels on a minor league deal, he was added back to the active roster on April 26, designated for assignment again on April 29, and released on June 2, 2026, once more becoming a free agent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lucchesi is known for his unorthodox delivery and ability to generate swings and misses with a deep pitching repertoire. He relies heavily on a deceptive changeup, a curveball, and a four-seam fastball that plays up because of his unique arm angle. Throughout his career, he has consistently produced strong strikeout numbers relative to innings pitched, and his low line drive rates have helped him limit hard contact when his command is sharp.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Lucchesi’s career came on April 21, 2023, when he returned from Tommy John surgery to throw seven scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants, allowing just four hits and striking out nine. In 2021, he was inducted into the Southeast Missouri State University Hall of Fame, recognizing his historic college career. He also set a school record with 242 career strikeouts during his time with the Redhawks.
Joey Lucchesi Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Joey Lucchesi has compiled a 23–28 win–loss record with a 4.15 ERA and 423 strikeouts across multiple organizations. His strongest stretch came with the San Diego Padres from 2018 to 2019, when he established himself as a reliable big league starter.
Major League Highlights
Lucchesi has earned 10 wins in a single season twice during his MLB career, doing so in both 2018 and 2019 with the San Diego Padres. His first major league victory came during his rookie season in 2018, and his most recent big league win came in 2023 with the New York Mets, the year he returned from Tommy John surgery. He has been a durable presence in the rotations and bullpens of every organization he has joined, often serving as a swingman or spot starter.
Joey Lucchesi Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Joey Lucchesi has kept most details of his family life private, and limited verified information is available about his parents or siblings. He grew up as an Oakland Athletics fan in the Bay Area, which helped shape his early love for baseball. He is close with several former teammates from his college and professional career, and the nickname “Fuego,” given to him by a Southeast Missouri State teammate, has become a defining part of his personal brand.
Personal Life
Lucchesi is in a relationship with his girlfriend, Jenifer, and the couple welcomed a daughter on December 10, 2024. The family has been a source of motivation during his multiple stints on the injured list and his transitions between organizations. Despite the unpredictability of free agency, he has remained committed to continuing his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Joey Lucchesi’s 2025 season was spent primarily with the San Francisco Giants after signing a minor league deal in January. He was called up to the majors on June 15 and made a career-high 38 appearances for the club, posting a 0–1 record and 3.76 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. He served as a long reliever and spot starter, providing depth to a Giants pitching staff dealing with injuries throughout the year.
While his win–loss record did not reflect his overall contributions, Lucchesi’s ability to miss bats and eat innings made him a useful piece in the Giants’ bullpen. He was non-tendered by San Francisco in November 2025, entering the offseason as a free agent. He briefly re-signed with the Giants on a minor league contract in March 2026 before being released ahead of Opening Day, then joined the Los Angeles Angels.
