Joey Cantillo – Cleveland Guardians Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Joey Cantillo has quickly made a name for himself as one of the Cleveland Guardians’ most promising young arms.

Born on December 18, 1999, in Honolulu, Hawaii, this lefty pitcher has flashed serious potential since the San Diego Padres picked him in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

Cantillo’s on a one-year deal with the Cleveland Guardians, making $762,800 for the 2023-2024 season. That’s fully guaranteed.

The Guardians brought Cantillo into their organization in August 2020, grabbing him from San Diego as part of a trade package.

He’s steadily worked his way up through the minors, and the Guardians added him to their roster in November 2022.

At just 25, Cantillo brings a lot of upside to Cleveland’s pitching staff.

He’s still finding his place in the majors, but his baseball roots run deep.

The Honolulu native has already battled through some tough stretches to get here, and that determination makes him one to keep an eye on.

He’s got a shot to carve out a real role as he keeps developing in Cleveland.

Joey Cantillo: Early Life and Background

Joey Cantillo’s road to pro baseball started back in Hawaii.

He found a love for the game early, and that passion eventually helped him land with the Guardians.

Personal History and Upbringing

Joseph Lopaka Cantillo was born in Honolulu on December 18, 1999.

Growing up in Hawaii definitely shaped his outlook and personality, and it set him apart from a lot of other pro players.

Hawaii isn’t exactly a baseball hotbed, but Cantillo found ways to develop his skills there.

He attended Kailua High School in Kailua, Hawaii, and that’s where he started to stand out as a pitcher.

His middle name, “Lopaka,” nods to his Hawaiian heritage, something he’s clearly proud of.

Unlike players from places like California or Texas, Cantillo’s journey from Hawaii to the pros took a lot of grit.

Amateur Baseball Career

At Kailua High School, Cantillo really began to shine as a lefty pitcher.

He showed great command and pitching instincts, even though he wasn’t coming from a traditional baseball powerhouse.

Scouts noticed his talent, and he caught the eye of several pro teams.

Instead of going the college route, Cantillo jumped straight into the MLB Draft out of high school.

The San Diego Padres picked him in the 16th round (468th overall) in 2017.

That started his pro journey, though he’d eventually end up in Cleveland via trade.

His amateur career didn’t get as much national attention as some top prospects, but it set the stage for his development and showed the potential scouts liked—even if his background was a bit unconventional.

Professional Baseball Career Milestones

Joey Cantillo’s pro career has been all about steady progress and overcoming obstacles.

He’s grown a lot as a pitcher, moving from draft pick to the big leagues.

Draft and Minor League Development

The San Diego Padres grabbed Cantillo in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

He quickly started turning heads in the minors with his left-handed delivery and knack for racking up strikeouts.

After coming to Cleveland in the Mike Clevinger trade, Cantillo really picked up steam in the Guardians’ system.

He sharpened his changeup and added some velocity, which helped him stand out.

Between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2023, Cantillo put up some eye-catching numbers.

He moved up the ranks and landed among Cleveland’s top pitching prospects with guys like Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee.

The Guardians’ development coaches spent a lot of time helping him with command and pitch selection, getting him ready for major league hitters.

Major League Debut and Progression

Cantillo debuted in the majors with the Guardians, joining a young rotation that already featured arms like Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen.

His first outings showed the poise and pitch mix that made him a prospect worth watching.

He faced the usual rookie challenges—adjusting to big-league bats and managing his workload.

The Guardians’ staff, led by manager Terry Francona, kept a close eye on his innings to protect his arm.

Cantillo pitched both as a starter and out of the bullpen, giving the team options—something Cleveland has done with other young pitchers, too.

His play earned him a contract at $762,800, a nod to his role as an up-and-coming major leaguer.

When he’s healthy, Cantillo has helped keep the Guardians’ pitching staff competitive, even as the roster changes.

Joey Cantillo’s Contract Details

Joey Cantillo’s career has some important financial pieces that could shape his future.

His current deal with the Guardians reflects both his present value and his upside.

Contract Structure and Terms

Cantillo signed a one-year, $762,800 contract with Cleveland.

That’s all guaranteed, so it’s a nice bit of security for the young lefty heading into the 2023 season.

Before that, the Guardians had been watching him for a while.

They selected his contract on November 15, 2022, and put him on the 40-man roster.

Doing that protected him from the Rule 5 draft and showed the team’s commitment.

His contract fits his status as a developing player, and it gives the Guardians flexibility as they look ahead.

Free Agency and Trades

Cantillo ended up in Cleveland through a big trade.

He was traded from San Diego to the Guardians on August 31, 2020.

That deal was part of the team’s push to add more pitching depth to their farm system.

He started his pro career with the Padres, who picked him 468th overall in 2017.

Moving between organizations highlights just how much business goes into pro baseball.

He’s not eligible for free agency yet, so the Guardians still have team control.

That gives them time to see what he can do before making any long-term decisions.

Earnings, Net Worth, and Financial Profile

Joey Cantillo’s financial picture is still taking shape.

He’s just starting his big-league earnings journey, and his current Guardians contract is the base of his growing net worth.

Career Earnings and Salary Breakdown

Right now, Cantillo’s playing under a one-year, $762,800 contract with Cleveland.

It’s his first big-league deal since getting called up.

At 25, he’s just getting started in terms of career earnings.

His salary puts him in the lower range for MLB players, which is pretty normal for guys early in their careers.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Annual salary: $762,800
• Guaranteed: $762,800
• Contract length: 1 year

Before reaching the majors, Cantillo was making minor league paychecks, which are way lower than MLB minimums.

Investments and Financial Opportunities

At 25, Cantillo’s got plenty of time to figure out his investment strategy.

A lot of MLB players work with advisors to set up portfolios that can grow as their careers progress.

He’s not pulling in big endorsement deals yet, but being from Hawaii (born in Honolulu, HI) might open some doors with local brands.

If he keeps improving—especially with stats like his 90.3 mph average exit velocity and 45.7% hard hit rate in 2025—his market value could jump up fast.

Financial Challenges and Bankruptcy Risks

Managing sudden wealth can be tricky for young athletes like Cantillo.

MLB careers don’t last forever; the average is only about 5.6 years, so long-term planning matters.

Injuries are a real risk, especially for pitchers.

A serious arm injury could change everything, so setting up emergency funds and insurance is smart.

The MLB pension system helps, but you need ten years of service to get the max benefits.

Cantillo’s early in his career, so he’ll need to be careful and plan ahead.

Taxes can get complicated, too, since athletes have to pay in multiple states during the season.

Playing Style, Performance, and Media Presence

Joey Cantillo has developed into a notable arm for the Guardians.

He’s known for his lefty delivery, unique pitch mix, and for working through injuries.

His style and presence on the mound are starting to get noticed.

Pitching Techniques and Statistics

Cantillo’s bread and butter is his deceptive changeup.

He throws it in the low 80s, and it plays off a fastball that sits between 89-92 mph.

That separation in speed really throws hitters off.

He’s always been able to rack up strikeouts—over 10 K/9 in the minors.

At the upper levels, he’s kept a strikeout rate around 28%, which is nothing to sneeze at.

His delivery has a high leg kick and smooth mechanics, letting him hide the ball and add some deception even if he’s not throwing gas.

From 2022 to 2024, he cut his walk rate from 4.2 to 3.1 BB/9, showing real improvement in command.

He’s started working deeper into games, with his innings per start ticking up as he moves through the Guardians’ system.

Injury History and Medical Updates

Cantillo’s had to deal with his share of injuries.

He lost a chunk of development time in 2021 with oblique problems, pitching just 31 innings that year.

In early 2023, he ran into shoulder inflammation that pushed back his season start.

The Guardians’ medical team put together a careful rehab plan to get him back on track.

He’s avoided Tommy John surgery so far, which is a big deal for a young pitcher.

That’s helped keep his timeline on track.

Cleveland’s been careful with his workload, setting innings limits and keeping an eye on his pitch counts.

That approach shows they’re in it for the long haul with Cantillo.

Media Coverage and Public Image

Cantillo doesn’t really chase the spotlight. Compared to other top prospects, he keeps things pretty low-key. Sometimes, writers mention his Hawaiian roots—he was born in Honolulu—when they talk about his path to pro baseball.

Baseball America and a few other prospect sites keep tabs on Cantillo whenever they cover the Guardians’ farm system. Usually, analysts talk up his sharp pitching IQ and his impressive changeup. They do point out his velocity isn’t eye-popping, though.

On social media, Cantillo feels genuine and doesn’t overshare. He’ll post about his workouts and, every now and then, something from his personal life. He sticks to a professional vibe and keeps the focus on his growth as a player.

After Cantillo got called up to the big leagues, Cleveland’s local media started paying more attention. There’s a lot of curiosity about whether his pitching style will work against MLB competition.