Joey Lucchesi – San Francisco Giants Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Joey Lucchesi is a left-handed pitcher born on June 6, 1993. Over the years, he’s carved out a solid career in Major League Baseball.

At 31, Lucchesi recently made some noise by signing a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in January 2025. After his stint with the New York Mets, he’s hoping to give his career a fresh start with a new team out West.

Right now, Lucchesi earns an annual salary of $1,150,000 and has built up a net worth of around $4,128,513 during his time in pro baseball. His MLB journey has taken him through several teams since the Padres picked him in the fourth round (#114 overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft, after his college days at Southeast Missouri State.

Lucchesi, a former Oakland Athletics fan, has racked up over five years in the majors, dealing with all the highs and lows that come with being a pro pitcher. After the Mets outrighted him in 2024, he stuck around as rotation depth before heading to the Giants for the 2025 season.

Joey Lucchesi’s Background and Early Life

Lucchesi’s path to pro baseball started in Northern California. His early love for the game grew with family support and local baseball leagues.

He moved up through high school and college ball, eventually catching the eye of MLB scouts.

Family and Hometown

Joey Lucchesi was born in Newark, California, right in the Bay Area. With the Giants and A’s close by, he got plenty of exposure to big-league baseball.

That environment really helped spark his interest in the sport.

People call him “Joey Fuego” because of his fiery attitude on the mound. He shaped his unique pitching style during those early years in Northern California.

His parents played a huge role, always encouraging his baseball dreams. Their commitment to his development set the stage for his pro career.

Amateur Baseball Journey

Lucchesi’s talent started showing during high school. He didn’t take the typical route; unlike many top prospects, he flew under the radar early on.

He kicked off his college career at Chabot College in Hayward, California. After some time there, he transferred to Southeast Missouri State University, where his pitching really took off.

At SEMO, he fine-tuned his funky pitching motion and created his “churve”—a pitch that blends a changeup and a curveball. That pitch would eventually become his calling card in the pros.

His college numbers, especially his senior year, finally got scouts to take notice. He racked up impressive strikeouts and delivered steady performances.

Draft and Minor League Ascent

The San Diego Padres picked Lucchesi in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft. That moment basically validated all his hard work.

As a Padres prospect, Lucchesi quickly made a name for himself as one of their top young pitchers. He moved through the minors faster than most fourth-round picks.

His minor league stats showed both dominance and consistency. In 2017, he split the season between Class A Advanced and Double-A, putting up strong numbers.

By 2018, Lucchesi cracked the Padres’ major league roster. Going from draft pick to big leaguer in under two years says a lot about his talent and work ethic.

Professional Career Overview

Joey Lucchesi stands out in MLB as a lefty with a funky “churve” and a delivery that keeps hitters guessing. His career has brought flashes of promise, tough breaks, and a few team changes as he’s worked to find his place in the majors.

MLB Debut and Initial Success

Lucchesi debuted with the San Diego Padres in 2018. He made an immediate impression with his unusual style and signature pitch.

In his rookie year, Lucchesi made 26 starts and posted solid numbers. Scouts and fans noticed his ability to get swings and misses.

His second season in 2019 saw him make 30 starts. He showed more growth, especially at home, where his breaking stuff played up in Petco Park.

By the end of his Padres run, Lucchesi looked like a legit big-league starter with room to keep improving.

Trade History and Team Changes

In January 2021, the Padres traded Lucchesi to the New York Mets in a three-team deal. That move sent him from the West Coast to the tough NL East.

Things started well with the Mets, but then he got hurt. After coming back, Lucchesi filled in as both a starter and reliever, giving the Mets valuable rotation depth.

After his time with the Mets ended in November 2024, Lucchesi signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants and got an invite to spring training. The Giants saw something in his unusual style and experience.

They added him to their pitching depth chart for 2025, hoping he could help out.

Performance Highlights

Lucchesi has always had the stuff to rack up strikeouts, keeping his K/9 rates solid when he’s locked in. He’s turned in some dominant games where his “churve” baffled hitters.

He’s had big outings against division rivals like the Dodgers, showing he can hang with tough lineups. That odd delivery really does throw batters off.

He’s also had stretches where he gave up fewer than three earned runs in back-to-back starts, proving he can be consistent at the big-league level.

Lucchesi hasn’t made an All-Star team yet, but he’s flashed enough talent to be seen as a valuable rotation option. He’s especially tough on left-handed hitters—something that’s been true throughout his career.

Challenges and Injuries

Lucchesi hit a major roadblock in June 2021 when he needed Tommy John surgery. That ended his season and kept him out for most of 2022.

He had to be patient and work hard through rehab to get back on the mound. His return showed how determined he is to stick with the game.

Like any pitcher, he’s had stretches where things didn’t click—command issues, tough outings, you name it.

With a current $1,150,000 salary for 2025, Lucchesi is still chasing long-term stability. He’s hoping his experience and unique pitching style will help him stick with the Giants.

Contracts and Salary Details

Lucchesi’s financial path in MLB shows a steady climb in earnings as he’s moved through different contracts. His pay reflects how teams value him, even as he navigates the complicated world of MLB salaries.

Current MLB Contract Structure

For the 2024 season, Lucchesi is pulling in $1,650,000 through arbitration. That’s a decent bump from his previous $1,150,000 salary.

It’s a one-year deal, giving both him and the team some flexibility.

In early 2025, Lucchesi signed a minor league contract with the Giants. These deals usually come with a spring training invite and a shot at the big-league roster.

Minor league contracts let teams take a low-risk look at players. If Lucchesi impresses, the Giants can easily bring him up.

Previous Contracts and Salary Progression

Lucchesi’s earnings have gone up steadily, with his net worth at about $4,128,513. Like most players, he started on minimum deals before reaching arbitration.

Before joining the Giants, Lucchesi played for the Mets, who selected his contract from Triple-A Syracuse in September 2024. That move showed they still saw potential, even without a long-term commitment.

He’s not represented by a big-name agent like Scott Boras. Instead, he’s usually signed shorter contracts based on performance, which has let him boost his earnings while teams keep their options open.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Lucchesi has built up a good chunk of wealth from his baseball career. Most of it comes from MLB contracts, with a bit extra from endorsements and investments.

Career Earnings

MLB has given Lucchesi some real financial stability. As of 2025, his net worth sits at $4,128,513.

He started earning after the Padres drafted him in 2016.

His current salary is $1,150,000 per year, which has steadily increased over time. He’s handled the contract process pretty well.

With more than five years of MLB service, Lucchesi could hit free agency soon. That could mean a nice bump in his career earnings.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Lucchesi isn’t a superstar, but he’s picked up some endorsement deals along the way. Being a lefty with a weird delivery and the nickname “Joey Fuego” helps him stand out.

He’s landed regional sporting goods partnerships and shows up at baseball clinics. These deals aren’t huge, but they add to his income.

His low-key social media presence has actually helped him get some promo gigs with equipment brands that focus on pitchers.

Investment Ventures

Lucchesi seems to handle his finances with the same discipline he shows on the mound. He’s reportedly put some of his baseball money into California real estate.

Like a lot of pros, he works with advisors who know how to manage athletes’ money. That’s helped him build a diverse portfolio for life after baseball.

He’s mostly played it safe with business ventures during his career, focusing on saving and investing for the future.

Role with the New York Mets

Joey Lucchesi mostly served as a depth starter for the New York Mets, moving up and down between the big league team and Triple-A Syracuse. His “churve” and lefty delivery gave the Mets an extra wrinkle in their rotation when they needed it.

Position and Roles in Pitching Staff

Lucchesi has played a flexible role in the Mets pitching staff, mostly as a spot starter and sometimes as a long reliever. Whenever injuries hit the rotation—like when Kodai Senga went down—the Mets often called on Lucchesi to step in.

His signature “churve,” that quirky changeup-curve hybrid, gives the Mets a different look compared to their usual power arms. It’s honestly kind of fun to watch, especially when hitters have no idea what’s coming.

In 2024, Lucchesi bounced between the big league club and Triple-A Syracuse as the Mets juggled their pitching depth. He came through during doubleheaders and gave the regular starters a breather when they needed it.

The Mets brought Lucchesi up from Syracuse several times during the 2024 season. That move really showed that they saw him as reliable depth, not a permanent piece of the rotation.

Key Seasons and Team Impact

Lucchesi made his biggest impact in 2023, putting up a 4.40 ERA over 11 starts. He gave the Mets much-needed innings when the pitching staff was thin.

He didn’t headline the rotation with guys like José Quintana or Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he brought some steady back-end value. Against lefty-heavy lineups in the division, Lucchesi’s style gave manager Buck Showalter some extra options.

David Stearns built the Mets roster with pitching depth in mind, and Lucchesi fit right into that plan. Even if he wasn’t dominating, he still gave the team quality starts on short notice during tough stretches.

Relationship with Teammates and Coaching Staff

Lucchesi built strong relationships with the Mets coaching staff, especially the pitching coaches who worked with him to fine-tune his delivery and pitch mix. Veteran pitchers like Adam Ottavino offered advice and mentorship during his time with the team.

He also connected with his catchers, since his churve needed a different game plan behind the plate. Position players like Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil liked his quick tempo, which kept the defense awake and ready.

During Spring Training, Lucchesi often worked with both the established starters and the younger guys, sharing whatever he could about his unusual mechanics. Even when he bounced up and down between the majors and minors, he stayed positive in the clubhouse and earned respect for handling the constant moves with professionalism.

Playing Style, Reputation, and Legacy

Joey Lucchesi stands out on the mound, thanks to his unique mechanics and pitching style. His career has had its ups and downs, and those moments have definitely shaped how people in baseball see him.

Pitching Arsenal and Mechanics

Lucchesi’s pitching centers around his “churve”—that oddball changeup-curveball mix he’s become known for. He throws it around 77-81 mph, and hitters just can’t seem to get a good read on it. His delivery has this funky leg kick and arm angle, making things even trickier for batters.

His fastball sits in the low 90s. That’s not overpowering by today’s standards, but his delivery makes it play up. The way he hides the ball helps him tunnel his pitches and keep hitters guessing.

He’s still working on a reliable third pitch, and that’s sometimes made it tough for him to get through a lineup more than once or twice.

Reputation Among Peers

Other players respect Lucchesi for sticking with it and adapting his game. He doesn’t have lights-out stuff, but he squeezes every bit out of what he’s got. Teammates have pointed out his work ethic and how open he is to using analytics to get better.

When Lucchesi faces power hitters like David Peralta, he often leans on the churve to get weak contact instead of chasing strikeouts. That kind of savvy has earned him nods from veterans around the league.

Sure, his ERA has bounced around over the years, and people sometimes call him inconsistent. But a lot of analysts say that’s just life with his unique style—small tweaks in his mechanics can make a big difference, for better or worse.

Long-Term Impact and Future Outlook

Most people will probably remember Lucchesi for his “Churve” pitch and the way he managed to compete at the top level with mechanics that just aren’t typical. He really showed that you can carve out a spot in the majors by developing a specialized pitch—even if you don’t throw especially hard.

At 31, Lucchesi now finds himself in the San Francisco Giants organization. He needs to prove he can stay consistent and durable if he wants to keep playing.

He’ll earn a $1.15 million salary for 2025, which puts him more in the category of a depth rotation guy than an ace. Not the flashiest role, but still valuable.

His versatility might help him stick around in a swingman role. We’ve seen pitchers with unique arsenals pull off late-career success by bouncing between starting and relieving.

Lucchesi probably won’t follow the path of high-leverage relievers like David Bednar. Instead, he needs to keep sharpening his unusual pitching style, not overhaul it entirely.