What team does Joe Panik play for?
Joe Panik is an American professional baseball second baseman who currently plays for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). A native of Yonkers, New York, Panik was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of St. John’s University.
Joe Panik’s Career
Panik made his MLB debut in 2014 and was named an MLB All-Star in 2015. He was a key part of the Giants’ run to the 2014 World Series title, and helped the team win the 2016 World Series. In 2019, Panik was traded to the New York Mets.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Joe Panik was born in Yonkers, New York on October 30, 1990. He attended John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction, New York, where he was a three-year letter winner in baseball and also played basketball. He was named the 2008 Westchester County Player of the Year by the Journal News and was a first-team All-State selection.
Panik played college baseball at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, where he was a two-time Big East Conference Player of the Year. He was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
San Francisco Giants
Panik was called up to the Giants on June 21, 2014 and made his major league debut the following day. He became the Giants’ everyday second baseman and batted .305 with three home runs, 28 runs batted in (RBI), and 11 stolen bases in 97 games. He was a key part of the Giants run to the 2014 World Series title, and was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series.
In 2015, Panik was selected to the All-Star Game, becoming the first Giant second baseman to be named an All-Star since Hall of Famer Jeff Kent in 2000. He finished the season with a .312 batting average and 10 home runs. He was also named the recipient of the 2015 Willie Mac Award, which is given annually to the player on the Giants who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of Hall of Fame player Willie McCovey.
The following season, Panik won his second World Series title with the Giants, as the team defeated the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series. He batted .239 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs in 2016.
New York Mets
On December 14, 2018, the Giants traded Panik to the New York Mets in exchange for minor league pitcher Jordan Humphreys. He made his Mets debut on March 28, 2019, and batted .235 with one home run and 20 RBIs in 101 games for the Mets in 2019.
Personal Life
Panik currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is an avid golfer and has participated in several celebrity golf tournaments. He is also involved in various charitable causes, including the Joe Panik Helping Hand Foundation, which provides assistance to underprivileged children.
Awards and Accolades
Joe Panik has won numerous awards and accolades during his career:
MLB
- All-Star: 2015
- World Series Champion: 2014, 2016
- NLCS MVP: 2014
- Willie Mac Award: 2015
Amateur
- Westchester County Player of the Year: 2008
- Big East Conference Player of the Year: 2010, 2011
- First-Team All-State: 2008
Conclusion
Joe Panik is an American professional baseball second baseman who currently plays for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of St. John’s University. Panik made his MLB debut in 2014 and was named an MLB All-Star in 2015. He was a key part of the Giants’ run to the 2014 World Series title, and helped the team win the 2016 World Series. In 2019, Panik was traded to the New York Mets. Throughout his career, Panik has won numerous awards and accolades.