Joey Meneses is a Mexican first baseman from Culiacán, Sinaloa, who made his MLB debut on August 2, 2022 — at 30 years old, later than most, but with plenty left to prove. His best season came in 2023 with the Washington Nationals, when he hit .275 with 13 home runs, 89 RBI, and a .722 OPS, establishing himself as a reliable bat in the lineup.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Joey Meneses
- Position: First Base
- Current team: Tomateros de Culiacán
- Number: 32
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 6’4″ / 236 lbs
- Born: May 6, 1992 (34 years old)
- Hometown: Culiacán, Mexico
- MLB Debut: August 2, 2022
- Winter ball: Tomateros de Culiacán (LMP, 2026-27)
- Country: Mexico 🇲🇽
Background
Meneses grew up in Culiacán, Sinaloa, where he first fell in love with baseball before spending years grinding through various minor league organizations. His path to the big leagues was slow and steady — he didn’t get his shot until he was 30, but when Washington finally called, he answered. His arrival with the Nationals became the turning point of his professional life: after years of waiting, Meneses proved he belonged at the highest level.
Professional Career
Meneses debuted with the Nationals on August 2, 2022. His first season was a settling-in period, but 2023 was when he broke out — .275 AVG, 13 HR, 89 RBI, and a .722 OPS, career bests across the board. In 2024, his average dipped to .231, but he still contributed with 3 home runs and 42 RBI in fewer games.
The 2026 season has been a struggle. With the Athletics, Meneses is hitting just .150 with a .430 OPS, a tough stretch for the 34-year-old as he works to rediscover his footing in the majors.
MLB Stats
- 2026 – Oakland Athletics: .150 AVG | 0 HR | 2 RBI | .430 OPS
- 2024 – Washington Nationals: .231 AVG | 3 HR | 42 RBI | .593 OPS
- 2023 – Washington Nationals: .275 AVG | 13 HR | 89 RBI | .722 OPS
Winter Ball: Home with the Tomateros
Every winter, Meneses comes home to Culiacán and suits up for the Tomateros in the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico. He’s been a force there. In 2024-25, he hit .320 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI in 62 games — proof that his power is very much alive on familiar ground. The following winter (2025-26) he stayed productive with a .262 average, 4 HR, and 43 RBI in 61 games.
The 2026-27 LMP season is just getting started — Meneses is 2-for-16 through four games — but this winter carries real weight. After a rough stretch in Oakland, time with the Tomateros gives him a chance to reset, rebuild his rhythm, and remind everyone he still has something left in the tank.
LMP Stats – Tomateros de Culiacán
- 2026-27: 4 G | .125 AVG | 0 HR | 0 RBI | .347 OPS
- 2025-26: 61 G | .262 AVG | 4 HR | 43 RBI | .696 OPS
- 2024-25: 62 G | .320 AVG | 10 HR | 58 RBI | .896 OPS
- 2023-24: 14 G | .224 AVG | 2 HR | 8 RBI | .698 OPS
Worth Noting
Most big leaguers arrive in their early 20s. Meneses got there at 30. That makes his 2023 breakout — .275, 13 HR, 89 RBI — all the more remarkable. It’s a reminder that persistence in the minors isn’t just a cliché: for Meneses, it was the only path, and it worked.
