Joey Lucchesi 

Player Data: Age: 30 (06/06/1993), B/T: L/L

Primary Stats: 9 GS, 4-0, 46 2/3 IP, 2.89 ERA, 1.307 WHIP, 32 SO, 17 BB
Advanced Stats: 147 ERA+, 4.22 WHIP, 6.2 SO/9, 16.4 SO%, 8.7 BB%, 44.4 GB%, 1.1 bWAR

2023 Salary: $1.15 million

Grade: B

2023 Review

Joey Lucchesi had an up-and-down 2023 season for the Mets.

His season began in Syracuse, where he was optioned to start the season on March 18. After a month with the Triple-A team, the Mets recalled Lucchesi to replace an injured Carlos Carrasco.

Lucchesi made his first start of the season, and first since 2021, on April 21 against the Giants. He was brilliant, striking out seven batters across seven scoreless innings as the Mets handily won 7-0.

He made another start on regular rest on April 27 against the Nationals, where he wasn’t as dominant but was still effective. This time, in front of the Citi Field faithful, Lucchesi struck out three Nats and allowed three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched. The Mets came away with a 9-8 win that night.

After two impressive outings, the wheels fell off for Lucchesi. In his next start against the Tigers, he allowed four earned runs in 4 innings as the Mets lost 6-5.

Then, in his next start against the Rockies at home, Lucchesi allowed three earned runs in 4 innings as the Mets lost another one of his starts 13-6.

Lucchesi had another start where he allowed one run to the Nationals in only two innings pitched, which solidified a terrible first two weeks of May. Through three starts in the month, batters slashed .317/.378/.634 against Lucchesi, and he registered a 7.40 ERA. His glistening 2.19 ERA rose to 4.43.

Due to poor performance and help needed in the bullpen, the Mets optioned Lucchesi back to Triple-A on May 14. They recalled Dennis Santana to take his roster spot to help alleviate a tiring bullpen.

Lucchesi stayed in the Triple-A rotation until July 20, when he suffered a knee injury. He remained on the injured list until August 8, and he came back and pitched the first of a couple of rehab starts with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones.

Instead of returning to Syracuse, the Mets recalled Lucchesi again on August 18 to make a spot start against the Cardinals. He was sharp and struck out five batters in 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a Mets 7-1 victory.

Unfortunately for Lucchesi, this start didn’t keep him in the majors, and he was optioned once again to Syracuse. He stayed there for almost a month and didn’t get another opportunity in the majors until September 13.

Lucchesi was up with the major league team for good after his September call-up. He got three starts down the stretch for the fourth-place Mets and didn’t disappoint.

His first September start came against the pennant-chasing Diamondbacks. He only struck out three but kept the D’Backs off-balance and pitched seven scoreless innings in the Mets 7-1 victory.

The next and final two starts came against the Marlins, another pennant-chasing team. He allowed two earned runs in both outings, going 5 2/3 innings in the first and 6 innings in the second.

Lucchesi’s strong September was enough to make many forget about his rough two-week stretch in May. He recorded a 1.93 ERA in three starts in the month and did it against a pair of teams still playing for a chance to get into the playoffs late in the season.

September also fattened up Lucchesi’s stats from the entire season. While it was a short sample size, Lucchesi still went 4-0 in nine starts with a 2.89 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings pitched.

2024 Outlook

Lucchesi has one final year of arbitration and then is a free agent after the 2024 season.

On the surface, Lucchesi’s season wasn’t terrible, and he could be an option in the rotation next season. He recorded a more than respectable 2.89 ERA for the season and 1.93 ERA down the stretch.

It is, however, important to note that Lucchesi’s underlying and advanced statistics are not good. Lucchesi finished 2023 with a  4.22 FIP higher, 5.48 xERA, and 38.2% hard hit percentage. Those numbers are troublesome and certainly signal significant regression for next season.

Still, the Mets rotation isn’t set and Lucchesi is a bargain salary-wise. He only made $1.15 million last season and surely will be within that range again. Lucchesi could be a fifth starter while the Mets wait for prospects to develop.

Lucchesi also doesn’t have to be in the rotation. He could be serviceable out of the bullpen with his 44.4% groundball rate and give the Mets another lefty to match with Brooks Raley.

Or, the Mets could go with option C: stash Lucchesi in the minors as starting pitching depth. Either way, no one will know Lucchesi’s 2024 outcome until next year’s report card.