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Who is Joey Meneses?
As a result of the Juan Soto trade on August 2nd, minor leaguer Joey Meneses got the call-up to the big leagues for the first time in his career. Meneses was born in 1992, making him thirty years of age. The slugger was born in Culiacan, Mexico, and he has spent much of his adult life traveling to small cities in the United States on the Minor League grind.
Over the course of his professional career, Meneses has split time between minor league teams, and international teams. Those international teams were in Mexico and Japan. With that being said, he has played for 4 different MLB organizations.
Minor League Career
Meneses was part of the Atlanta Braves organization from 2011-2017, then he had a stop with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2018, Meneses won the 2018 MVP while playing for Phillies Triple-A team. After that season, he was let go by organization. Then after playing for a team in Japan, the right-handed power hitter signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. He went on to play for their Double-A and Triple-A teams. Early in 2022, Meneses was off to minor league free agency, and this was his point and time when he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals and got his chance.
Over the course of ten seasons in the minor leagues, Joey Meneses hit for a very respectable average of .281. During his MVP season for the Triple-A affiliate for the Phillies, he had an average of .311, while hitting 23 HR’s with 82 RBI’s. The year, before Meneses won his MVP, Rhys Hoskins won the same MVP award. However, the Phillies eventually called Hoskins up to the big leagues, unlike Joey Meneses. Maybe this will prove to be an error by the Phillies.
Record Setting Start
Joey Meneses has absolutely destroyed the baseball ever since his MLB debut on August 2nd. In his first career game, he hit a 405-foot HR. Through his first twelve games, he already has five HR’s. The right-handed power hitter has an OPS of 1.058 and an average of .347. To go along with those stats, he has 17 hits through his first 13 games, which is the most by any Washington National player ever. He also has an 11-game hitting streak going. Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond had 14 hits in their first 13 MLB games.
The 6’3 RF for the Nats is earning so much attention from local media and some with the national media.
What Does the Future Hold for Meneses?
The surprising star of August for the Nats will definitely be in the big leagues next year if he keeps up this production. Much like Yadiel Hernandez, this is a great opportunity for an older rookie.
As the Nationals rebuild over the next few years, Joey Meneses could be a great addition to the team if he is this consistent with the bat. Hopefully, GM Mike Rizzo gives Meneses another chance next year because this guy can hit!
What do you all think? Should the Nats keep Joey Meneses after this year?
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