Josh VanMeter

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Josh VanMeter

|image = File:Josh VanMeter (All-Pro Reels Photography) (51136435706) (cropped).jpg

|width =

|caption = VanMeter with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021

|team =

|number =

|position = Second baseman / Outfielder

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|10}}

|birth_place = Ossian, Indiana, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 5

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = September 4

|finalyear = 2022

|finalteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

|statyear =

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .206

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 19

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 79

|teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2022}})

}}

Joshua Michael VanMeter (born March 10, 1995) is an American former professional baseball left fielder and infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Career

=San Diego Padres=

VanMeter graduated from Norwell High School and was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 5th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web |url=http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/Norwell-alum-Josh-VanMeter-promoted-to-Class-AA-San-Antonio |title=Norwell alum Josh VanMeter promoted to Class AA San Antonio |date=July 29, 2016 |publisher=Fort Wayne News-Sentinel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801042550/https://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/Norwell-alum-Josh-VanMeter-promoted-to-Class-AA-San-Antonio |archive-date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2017}} He signed with the Padres, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Illinois State University.{{cite web|url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=352518|title=Josh VanMeter Class of 2013 - Player Profile - Perfect Game USA|website=www.perfectgame.org|accessdate=December 14, 2018}} He spent 2013 with the Arizona League Padres where he slashed .278/.378/.348 with ten RBIs in 44 games. In 2014, he played for the Fort 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 the Lake Elsinore Storm and San Antonio Missions and compiled a combined .251 batting average with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs in 124 total games between the two teams.{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |title=2016 Lake Elsinore Storm Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=September 19, 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |title=2016 San Antonio Missions Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=September 19, 2019}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On December 9, 2016, VanMeter was traded to the Cincinnati Reds as the player to be named later for Luis Torrens.{{cite web|last=Sheldon |first=Mark |url=http://m.reds.mlb.com/news/article/210796550/reds-invite-gutierrez-to-spring-training/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211144830/http://m.reds.mlb.com/news/article/210796550/reds-invite-gutierrez-to-spring-training/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 11, 2016 |title=Reds invite Gutierrez to Spring Training |publisher=M.reds.mlb.com |date=January 20, 2016 |accessdate=June 21, 2017}} The Reds assigned him to the Pensacola 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 the Louisville Bats, slashing a combined .260/.337/.454 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs in 128 total games between both teams.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=642165#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL|title=Josh VanMeter Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|accessdate=October 20, 2018}} 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 the San Francisco Giants.{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/05/05/reds-call-up-vanmeter-send-reed-back-louisville/1111791001/|title=Cincinnati Reds call up hot-hitting Josh VanMeter from Triple-A, option Cody Reed|website=cincinnati.com|publisher=The Enquirer|last=Nightengale|first=Bobby|date=May 5, 2019|accessdate=May 5, 2019}} On July 20, against the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit his first major league home run.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/07/20/josh-vanmeter-home-run-lifts-cincinnati-reds-victory-over-st-louis-cardinals-luis-castillo-mlb/1788293001/ |title=Josh VanMeter's home run lifts Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over St. Louis Cardinals |last=Fay |first=John |date=July 20, 2019 |website=Cincinnati.com |language=en |access-date=July 29, 2019}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On August 31, 2020, VanMeter was traded alongside Stuart Fairchild in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for Archie Bradley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/reds-acquire-archie-bradley-and-brian-goodwin-in-last-minute-trade-deadline-deals/|title=Reds acquire Archie Bradley and Brian Goodwin in last-minute trade deadline deals|date=August 31, 2020 }} In 12 games with the Diamondbacks, VanMeter slashed .194/.294/.333 with 1 home run and 5 RBI.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/12/9/22155659/2020-arizona-diamondbacks-reviews-28-josh-van-meter|title = 2020 Arizona Diamondbacks Reviews #28: Josh van Meter|date = December 9, 2020}}

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.

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On March 31, 2022, VanMeter was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Listher Sosa.{{cite web|title=D-backs acquire RHP Listher Sosa from Pirates for Josh VanMeter|url=https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/press-release/press-release-d-backs-acquire-rhp-listher-sosa-from-pirates-for-josh-vanmeter?t=dbacks-press-releases|date=March 31, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022|work=MLB.com}} On May 7, in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, VanMeter was used as an emergency catcher for the final inning of the 9–2 loss. He was forced into action after Roberto Pérez suffered a season-ending hamstring injury and Andrew Knapp was given his first career ejection after arguing a check swing call.{{Cite web|title=VanMeter pressed into duty as emergency catcher|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-vanmeter-used-as-pirates-emergency-catcher|access-date=January 14, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}} On May 22, in a blowout loss against the St. Louis Cardinals, VanMeter pitched the ninth inning for the team, allowing four hits and five runs, including a pair of home runs.{{Cite web|title=Norwell grad VanMeter pitches as reliever for Pirates|url=https://www.wane.com/sports/vanmeter-makes-first-major-league-pitching-appearance/amp/|access-date=January 14, 2023|website=wane.com|date=May 22, 2022 |language=en}}

On September 6, VanMeter was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians on September 10.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Josh VanMeter: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-josh-vanmeter-outrighted-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=June 17, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 67 games for Pittsburgh, batted .187 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI. VanMeter elected free agency following the season on October 6.{{Cite web|title=34 Players Become Free Agents|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/10/brett-phillips-willians-astudillo-michael-chavis-free-agents-minor-league.html|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=October 7, 2022 |language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On January 9, 2023, VanMeter signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/brewers-sign-josh-vanmeter-to-minor-league-deal.html | title=Brewers Sign Josh VanMeter to Minor League Deal | date=January 9, 2023 }} In 46 games for the Triple-A Nashville 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.{{Cite web|title=Josh VanMeter Stats, Fantasy & News|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/josh-vanmeter-642165|access-date=September 28, 2023|website=Major League Baseball}}

=New York Yankees=

On January 17, 2024, VanMeter signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=January 17, 2024 |title=Yankees Sign Josh VanMeter to Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/yankees-sign-josh-vanmeter-to-minor-league-deal.html |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 59 games for the Triple–A Scranton/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.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-08-12 | title=Transactions }}

He announced his retirement via his X page on January 20, 2025.https://x.com/VanMeter15/status/1881409329880093116