Former Newark Memorial High School pitcher returns home to San Francisco Bay Area in 2025

Joey Lucchesi got his start about 40 miles from Oracle Park, home of the Giants, where his professional career will hopefully continue

Sep 30, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi (47) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In a little less than a month, pitchers and catchers will report to spring training, marking the beginning of the 2025 MLB season. For the superstars of the league, spring training is all about shaking off the rust and getting mentally ready to take on another 162-game season and help guide their teams to the promised land.

But for others, it is about making the team and proving that you belong. And in the case of pitcher Joey Lucchesi, he will be fighting to not only make the roster of the San Francisco Giants, but fight for the chance to play for his hometown ball club.

A graduate of Newark Memorial High School, Lucchesi was born and raised in Newark (Calif.), only about 40 miles south of San Francisco. He played junior varsity ball as a freshman, according to coach Dan Freitas, but didn't play the following three seasons.

After Newark Memorial, Lucchesi made his way to Chabot College in Hayward, before earning a scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University, where he really found his stride. He was the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year two seasons in a row.

After starting his MLB career with the San Diego Padres before spending a few seasons on the New York Mets, Lucchesi is getting a full circle moment signing with the Giants. The Giants, who lost pitcher Blake Snell in free agency, have been very aggressive when it comes to improving pitching. Despite signing a minor league deal, Lucchesi will receive an invite to spring training and is expected to come compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

If Lucchesi is able to make the team, he would join a long list of Giants players over the years who are Bay Area natives. The most notable current one is starting pitcher Kyle Harrison, a De La Salle-Concord graduate and third-round Giants selection in 2020.

Former Bay Area products who made huge impacts on the franchise include MLB home run king Barry Bonds and and longtime Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford.

Crawford, born in Mountain View, grew up in Pleasanton and attended Foothill High School. Bonds was a three-sport star at Junipero Serra and graduated in 1982, the same year he was originally drafted.