Conner Menez
American baseball player (born 1995)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Conner Scott Menez (born May 29, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He played college baseball at The Master's University and was drafted by the Giants in the 14th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.
| Conner Menez | |
|---|---|
Menez with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: May 29, 1995 Hollister, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: July 21, 2019, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| NPB: July 19, 2022, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–1 |
| Earned run average | 3.95 |
| Strikeouts | 46 |
| NPB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1-2 |
| Earned run average | 2.13 |
| Strikeouts | 47 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Amateur career
Menez attended San Benito High School in Hollister, California. He then played college baseball at The Master's University from 2014 to 2016, where he had a 20–5 win–loss record and a 2.26 career earned run average (ERA), the lowest in school history.[1][2]
Professional career
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants selected Menez in the 14th round (425th overall) of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He signed for a $75,000 signing bonus.[4]
Menez spent his first professional season with the Arizona League Giants, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and San Jose Giants, pitching to a combined 4–1 record and 4.22 ERA in 53.1 innings pitched between the three teams. He pitched in 2017 with San Jose, going 7–7 with a 4.41 ERA in 23 games (22 starts), and in 2018 with San Jose, the Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Sacramento River Cats,[5] compiling a combined 9–10 record with a 4.46 ERA in 28 total starts with 171 strikeouts in 135+1⁄3 innings (averaging 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings).
Menez started 2019 with Richmond and was promoted to Sacramento during the season.[6][7] Between the two teams, in 2019 he was 6–4 with a 3.79 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) in which he pitched 121 innings and struck out 154 batters (averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings).[8]
On July 21, 2019, the Giants selected Menez's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[9] In his major league debut that day, he pitched five innings while allowing 2 runs and recording six strikeouts.[10] In 2019 for the Giants he was 0–1 with a 5.29 ERA in eight games (three starts) covering 17 innings in which he struck out 22 batters.[8]
Menez made seven appearances for San Francisco during the truncated 2020 campaign, compiling a 1-0 record and 2.38 ERA with eight strikeouts across 11+1⁄3 innings pitched.[11]
Menez pitched in eight games for the Giants in 2021, logging a 1-0 record and 3.86 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 14 innings of work. On August 4, 2021, Menez was designated for assignment by the Giants.[12] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Sacramento on August 7.[13]
Chicago Cubs
On December 8, 2021, the Chicago Cubs selected Menez in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.[14] He was assigned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs to begin the 2022 season.
On May 9, 2022, Menez was selected to the 40-man and active rosters.[15] After pitching a scoreless inning in a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, he was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa. On June 4, Menez was designated for assignment by Chicago after Caleb Kilian had his contract selected.[16] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on June 6.[17]
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
On June 24, 2022, Menez announced via Instagram that he would be signing with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[18][19][20] Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo said regarding Menez's acquisition that he may come to Japan "in a week".[21] In 18 appearances for the Fighters, Menez recorded a 1.08 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 25.0 innings pitched.
In 2023, Menez pitched in 12 games for the Fighters, logging a 3.16 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 25+2⁄3 innings of work. On July 1, 2023, Menez was released by Hokkaido.[22]
On October 9, 2023, Menez signed to played winter baseball with the Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League, where he pitched in three games.[23]
Diablos Rojos del México
On March 23, 2024, Menez signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.[24] In 31 games (7 starts), he compiled a 4–2 record and 4.25 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 53 innings of work. With the team, Menez won the Serie del Rey.[25]
On October 17, 2024, Menez signed to play winter baseball with the Tomateros de Culiacán of the Mexican Pacific League.[26] He made 14 appearances for the Diablos in 2025, registering a 2-1 record and 2.35 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 15+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 11, 2025, Menez was released by the team.[27]
Saraperos de Saltillo
On July 28, 2025, Menez signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League.[28] He appeared in three games in relief, struggling to a 20.25 ERA with more walks (seven) than strikeouts (four) across 2+2⁄3 innings pitched. Menez was released by the Saraperos on January 6, 2026.[29]
Personal life
Menez's grandfather was Bill Plummer, a former major league catcher, coach, and manager.[1]