| Josh VanMeter | |
|---|---|
_(51136435706)_(cropped).jpg) VanMeter with theArizona Diamondbacks in 2021 | |
| Second baseman /Outfielder | |
| Born: (1995-03-10)March 10, 1995 (age 30) Ossian, Indiana, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 5, 2019, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 4, 2022, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .206 |
| Home runs | 19 |
| Runs batted in | 79 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Joshua Michael VanMeter (born March 10, 1995) is an American former professionalbaseballleft fielder andinfielder. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCincinnati Reds,Arizona Diamondbacks, andPittsburgh Pirates.
VanMeter graduated fromNorwell High School and was selected by theSan Diego Padres in the 5th round of the2013 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He signed with the Padres, forgoing his commitment to playcollege baseball atIllinois State University.[2] He spent 2013 with theArizona League Padres where heslashed .278/.378/.348 with ten RBIs in 44 games. In 2014, he played for theFort Wayne TinCaps where he batted .254 with three home runs and 39 RBIs in 116 games, and in 2015, he returned to Fort Wayne but played in only 25 games due to injury. He spent 2016 with both theLake Elsinore Storm andSan Antonio Missions and compiled a combined .251 batting average with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs in 124 total games between the two teams.[3][4]
On December 9, 2016, VanMeter was traded to theCincinnati Reds as the player to be named later forLuis Torrens.[5] The Reds assigned him to thePensacola Blue Wahoos and he spent the whole 2017 season there, batting .255/.326/.352 with five home runs, 54 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 132 games. VanMeter spent 2018 with both Pensacola and theLouisville Bats, slashing a combined .260/.337/.454 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs in 128 total games between both teams.[6] He returned to Louisville to begin 2019.
On May 5, 2019, VanMeter was promoted to the major leagues for the first time, and made his major league debut against theSan Francisco Giants.[7] On July 20, against theSt. Louis Cardinals, he hit his first major league home run.[8]
On August 31, 2020, VanMeter was traded alongsideStuart Fairchild in a deal with theArizona Diamondbacks forArchie Bradley.[9] In 12 games with the Diamondbacks, VanMeter slashed .194/.294/.333 with 1 home run and 5 RBI.[10]
In 2021, VanMeter batted .212/.297/.354 with 6 home runs and 36 RBIs in 112 games. He was designated for assignment on March 27, 2022.
On March 31, 2022, VanMeter was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Listher Sosa.[11] On May 7, in a game against theCincinnati Reds, VanMeter was used as an emergency catcher for the final inning of the 9–2 loss. He was forced into action afterRoberto Pérez suffered a season-ending hamstring injury andAndrew Knapp was given his first career ejection after arguing a check swing call.[12] On May 22, in a blowout loss against theSt. Louis Cardinals, VanMeter pitched the ninth inning for the team, allowing four hits and five runs, including a pair of home runs.[13]
On September 6, VanMeter was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–AIndianapolis Indians on September 10.[14] In 67 games for Pittsburgh, batted .187 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI. VanMeter elected free agency following the season on October 6.[15]
On January 9, 2023, VanMeter signed a minor league deal with theMilwaukee Brewers.[16] In 46 games for the Triple-ANashville Sounds, he batted .199/.400/.362 with 6 home runs and 20 RBI. On September 24, following multiple stints on the injured list, VanMeter was released by the Brewers organization.[17]
On January 17, 2024, VanMeter signed a minor league contract with theNew York Yankees.[18] In 59 games for the Triple–AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he hit .177/.335/.293 with three home runs, 27 RBI, and five stolen bases. VanMeter was released by the Yankees organization on August 12.[19]
He announced his retirement via his X page on January 20, 2025.[20]