Joey Lucchesi

Joseph George Lucchesi Bio

Joseph George Lucchesi is an American professional baseball pitcher who has competed in Major League Baseball since 2018. He has played for the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels over his career. Lucchesi was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft and made his major league debut on March 30, 2018. He became the first pitcher from the 2016 draft class to reach the majors and has established himself as a versatile arm capable of both starting and relieving roles. His career totals include a 23-28 win-loss record, a 4.15 earned run average, and 423 strikeouts across five seasons.

Early Life and Background

Lucchesi was born on June 6, 1993, and grew up in Newark, California. He attended Newark Memorial High School in his hometown, where he began developing his skills as a baseball pitcher. After high school, he played at Chabot College before transferring to continue his baseball career at Southeast Missouri State University. At Southeast Missouri State, Lucchesi emerged as one of the top pitchers in the conference, demonstrating the talent that would eventually carry him to professional baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

During his time at Southeast Missouri State University, Lucchesi established himself as a dominant college pitcher. He earned Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in both 2015 and 2016, becoming the first pitcher in conference history to win the award in consecutive seasons. In his junior season in 2016, he posted a 10-5 win-loss record with a 2.19 earned run average across 17 appearances. His 242 career strikeouts at the university remain a Southeast Missouri State record. These accomplishments positioned him as a highly regarded prospect heading into the 2016 MLB Draft.

Joseph George Lucchesi Career

Minor League Development (2016–2017)

After being selected by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Lucchesi signed and began his professional career 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. He was promoted to the Fort Wayne TinCaps in September and finished his first professional season with a 0-2 record, 1.29 ERA, and 56 strikeouts in 42 innings across 15 total games.

In 2017, Lucchesi continued his development with the Lake Elsinore Storm and San Antonio Missions. He posted a combined 11-7 record with a 2.20 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 24 total games, with 23 starts between both clubs. His strong performance in the minor leagues earned him a promotion to the major leagues the following season.

San Diego Padres Breakthrough (2018–2020)

Lucchesi made his major league debut on March 30, 2018, at Petco Park against the Milwaukee Brewers. He became the first pitcher from the 2016 draft class to reach the majors and the second player overall. He started the game and pitched 4 and two-thirds innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits while striking out one batter. He did not receive a decision as the Padres fell to the Brewers 8-6. He missed approximately a month on the disabled list with a right hip strain in late May and early June but was otherwise a regular member of the rotation. Lucchesi finished his rookie campaign with an 8-9 record and 4.08 ERA in 26 starts, leading the rotation with 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

The 2019 season represented Lucchesi’s breakthrough year with the Padres. He led the pitching staff in wins with 10, innings pitched with 163 and two-thirds, and strikeouts with 158 while maintaining a 4.18 ERA across 30 starts. He allowed the lowest line drive percentage of all major league pitchers at 17.0 percent. The 2020 season was challenging for Lucchesi, as he struggled to a 0-1 record and 7.94 ERA with five strikeouts in 5 and two-thirds innings during the shortened season.

New York Mets Tenure (2021–2024)

On January 19, 2021, Lucchesi was traded to the New York Mets as part of a three-team trade. His season took a significant turn when he was diagnosed with a significant tear in his left elbow ulnar collateral ligament on June 21. After further examination revealed a complete tear, Lucchesi underwent Tommy John surgery, which ended his 2021 season. He finished the year with a 1-4 record and 4.46 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 38 and one-third innings across 11 games. Over his final five starts of that season, he recorded a 1.19 ERA in 22 and two-thirds innings pitched.

Lucchesi missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He began the 2023 season with Triple-A Syracuse before receiving a major league call-up. On April 21, 2023, he made his first start since June 18, 2021, pitching seven shutout innings against the San Francisco Giants with nine strikeouts and allowing only four hits in a 7-0 victory. He made nine starts for the Mets, logging a 4-0 record and 2.89 ERA with 32 strikeouts across 46 and two-thirds innings pitched.

In 2024, Lucchesi was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the season and was recalled to face the Philadelphia Phillies on May 15. After the Mets acquired Phil Maton, Lucchesi was designated for assignment on July 9. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Syracuse on July 14. He was recalled on September 30 to start the Mets’ final regular season game, throwing 113 pitches over six innings against the Atlanta Braves while allowing one run. On November 4, he was removed from the 40-man roster and elected free agency after rejecting an outright assignment.

San Francisco Giants Era (2025)

On January 20, 2025, Lucchesi signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He was called up to the major league club on June 15, though his appearance that day was brief as he pitched just two-thirds of an inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing three hits and two runs with no strikeouts. Lucchesi went on to make a career-high 38 appearances for San Francisco during the 2025 season, posting an 0-1 record and 3.76 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 38 and one-third innings pitched. On November 21, 2025, he was non-tendered by the Giants and became a free agent.

Los Angeles Angels (2026)

On March 9, 2026, Lucchesi re-signed with the Giants on a minor league contract. He was released prior to the start of the regular season on March 22. On March 24, 2026, he signed a one-year major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He made three appearances for Los Angeles but struggled to a 7.71 ERA with two strikeouts across 2 and one-third innings pitched. On April 5, he was designated for assignment by the Angels and elected free agency on April 7 after clearing waivers. He re-signed with the Angels on a minor league contract on April 9. The Angels added him back to their active roster on April 26. After continued struggles over additional outings, Lucchesi was designated for assignment again on April 29. He cleared waivers and elected free agency on May 1. He re-signed with the Angels on a new minor league contract on May 5 and was released on June 2. He re-signed with the team on another minor league contract the following day.

Notable Events and Milestones

Lucchesi reached the major leagues faster than any other pitcher from the 2016 MLB Draft class, achieving the milestone before players selected ahead of him in the draft. His return from Tommy John surgery on April 21, 2023, marked a significant milestone when he pitched seven shutout innings in his first start in nearly two years. He set a career-high with 38 appearances during the 2025 season with the Giants. His career win-loss record stands at 23-28 with a 4.15 earned run average and 423 strikeouts through April 28, 2026.

Joseph George Lucchesi Career Wins

Across his Major League Baseball career spanning from 2018 through 2026, Lucchesi has compiled a career record of 23 wins and 28 losses with a 4.15 earned run average and 423 strikeouts. He has pitched for the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels organizations.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Lucchesi made his major league debut on March 30, 2018, with the San Diego Padres. His most successful season came in 2019 when he led the Padres with 10 wins, 163 and two-thirds innings pitched, and 158 strikeouts. His 2023 season with the Mets featured a standout performance on April 21 against the San Francisco Giants when he pitched seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts in his first major league appearance since June 2021. In 2025 with the Giants, he made a career-high 38 appearances out of the bullpen. His most recent major league appearance came in April 2026 with the Angels before he elected free agency.

Joseph George Lucchesi Family

Family Background and Early Life

Lucchesi grew up in Newark, California, as a lifelong fan of the Oakland Athletics. His passion for baseball developed during his childhood in the Bay Area before he attended Newark Memorial High School. He later played college baseball at Chabot College and Southeast Missouri State University, where he became the first pitcher in Ohio Valley Conference history to earn back-to-back Pitcher of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016.

Personal Life

Lucchesi is known by the nickname Fuego, which originated during his time at Southeast Missouri State University. A teammate suggested the name when Lucchesi was creating his Twitter handle. He and his partner, Jenifer, welcomed their first child together, a daughter, on December 10, 2024. In 2021, Lucchesi was inducted into the Southeast Missouri State University Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments as a collegiate pitcher and the records he set during his career with the Redhawks.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a new chapter for Lucchesi as he joined the San Francisco Giants organization in January on a minor league contract. After beginning the season in the minor leagues, he received a major league call-up on June 15. His single appearance in June was brief, but he went on to establish a new career high with 38 total appearances for the Giants during the season. His transition to a bullpen role demonstrated his adaptability as he continued his professional career with his hometown California team. He finished the season with a 3.76 earned run average across 38 and one-third innings pitched. Following the season, the Giants non-tendered his contract, making him a free agent as he continues his career in professional baseball.