DJ Herz – Washington Nationals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

DJ Herz is quickly making a name for himself in Major League Baseball after the Chicago Cubs drafted him in 2019.

Born on January 4, 2001, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, this young lefty has already shown some real promise on the mound. The Cubs picked him in the 8th round, 252nd overall.

DJ Herz now plays for the Washington Nationals under a one-year contract worth $764,200, which is his guaranteed salary for the 2024 season.

He’s 23 and has taken a winding road to the big leagues, spending time in the minors before the Nationals picked up his contract in November 2023.

Washington got Herz in a trade with the Cubs in July 2023.

His professional career is still in its early days, but his net worth is estimated at $500,000. That number will probably rise as he settles into the majors.

Davidjohn Patrick Herz—yeah, that’s his full name—brings a fresh left arm to the Nationals’ roster.

He started out at Sanford High School before going pro, and fans are definitely watching to see how things play out for him in Washington.

Early Life and Background

Herz’s story starts in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he was born on January 4, 2001.

Those early years really set the stage for what’s shaping up to be a promising career in Major League Baseball.

Family and Education

Davidjohn Patrick Herz—everyone just calls him DJ—grew up in Fayetteville with a family that backed his athletic dreams.

There’s not a ton out there about his parents or siblings, but you can tell their support mattered.

For school, Herz went to Sanford High School, where he grew both in the classroom and on the field.

Those high school years were huge for his baseball career.

He balanced schoolwork with some pretty intense baseball training, showing the kind of discipline that would come in handy later.

Initial Interest in Baseball

Herz got hooked on baseball pretty early, though nobody seems to know exactly when he started.

His left-handed throw stood out even as a kid in North Carolina.

By high school, he was already turning heads as a pitching prospect.

At Sanford, he showed off:

• Solid lefty mechanics
• Fastball velocity that kept climbing
• Real athleticism
• A competitive streak on the mound

The Cubs drafted him in 2019, 8th round, 252nd pick. That moment marked his jump from amateur to pro—proof that all those years of practice had paid off.

Professional Career

DJ Herz’s pro baseball ride has been pretty eventful—quick development in the minors, a shot in the majors, and some key trades.

His left-handed pitching keeps him in demand as a prospect.

Draft and Minor League Journey

The Chicago Cubs picked Herz in the 8th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, 252nd overall.

He skipped a commitment to play college ball at North Carolina and signed with the Cubs for a bonus of $500,000.

He started his minor league journey in 2021 after the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season.

Herz quickly made his mark in the Cubs’ farm system as a lefty with big strikeout numbers.

He moved up through several minor league levels, showing off his improving pitch mix and ability to get hitters out.

People started calling him one of the Cubs’ top pitching prospects, which eventually put him in the mix for a big trade.

MLB Debut and Team Progression

Herz debuted in the majors with the Washington Nationals, kicking off his MLB career as a young lefty with the tools to become a regular starter.

The Nationals, right now in a rebuilding phase, gave Herz a shot to prove himself at the top level.

His first season showed off his strikeout skills but also pointed out some areas he needed to work on—pretty normal stuff for a rookie pitcher.

Herz’s MLB stats so far tell the story of a young arm learning the ropes.

Right now, Herz sits on the Nationals’ 60-day injured list. That’s a setback early in his career, but the Nationals still see him as part of their future.

Notable Trades and Transactions

The Cubs traded Herz to the Nationals in a move that showed Chicago was willing to give up young talent for a playoff run.

Washington, on the other hand, wanted a young pitcher who could grow with the team.

Herz’s current deal with the Nationals is worth $764,200 for one year, which is about standard for a player who hasn’t hit arbitration yet.

That contract fits his status as a developing major leaguer.

Moving from the Cubs to the Nationals put Herz in an organization focused on building for the future.

Washington values high-upside pitchers like him, especially when they come with years of team control.

Playing Style and Performance

DJ Herz has carved out a unique pitching style that makes him a fun watch and a bit of a wild card for hitters.

His lefty delivery and evolving pitch arsenal have both impressed and challenged him as he keeps developing.

Right-Hander Pitching Skills

Even though he’s a left-handed pitcher, Herz’s mechanics are a bit out of the ordinary.

He uses a deceptive motion that throws off hitters trying to track the ball.

His fastball usually sits in the low-to-mid 90s with some nice movement.

He’s still working on his breaking pitches, but his changeup already flashes as a solid off-speed option, especially against righties.

Herz, born in Fayetteville, NC, leans more on movement than raw velocity.

That style worked for him in the Cubs’ system and now gives him a shot with the Nationals.

Strikeout Rate and Walk Rate

Herz has racked up an impressive strikeout rate—often more than one per inning in the minors.

That ability to miss bats has been his trademark.

But he’s had some trouble with control. His walk rate has sometimes crept above 4-5 per nine innings.

That mix of high strikeouts and high walks is pretty common for young, talented pitchers who are still refining their stuff.

With the Nationals, those patterns have continued.

Coaches are working with him to sharpen his command without losing his ability to get swings and misses.

Adjustments and Development

Since the Cubs drafted him in 2019, Herz has worked hard to tweak his pitching approach.

He’s focused on cleaning up his mechanics to improve command while keeping his delivery tough to read.

Refining his secondary pitches has been a big part of his development.

He’s added depth to his breaking balls and aimed for more consistency with his changeup.

Herz has also started to pay more attention to the mental side—pitch sequencing, reading situations, that kind of thing.

While he’s on the 60-day injured list, he has some extra time to work on those mechanical details and hopefully come back even sharper.

His steady climb through the minors and the trade to Washington show that the Nationals believe in his upside, even with some rough edges left to smooth out.

Contract and Earnings

DJ Herz’s pro baseball career has come with contracts that match his growth as a pitcher.

His path from draft pick to big leaguer has meant a slow but steady rise in pay as he proves himself.

Initial Contracts and Signing Bonuses

Herz entered pro ball when the Cubs drafted him in 2019 in the 8th round.

As a high school draftee, he got a decent signing bonus to kick off his career.

The Cubs saw something in his left arm and ponied up accordingly.

He spent his early years on the standard minor league salary while working his way up the Cubs’ system.

Those years were crucial for building his value.

His contract stayed under team control during that time, which is just how it goes for young prospects in the minors.

Recent Deals and Salary Progression

Herz’s career shifted gears when the Nationals traded for him on July 31, 2023.

Washington liked what they saw and added him to their 40-man roster in November 2023.

That move bumped up his pay.

Herz signed a one-year deal worth $764,200 with the Nationals, all guaranteed.

It’s not a huge MLB salary, but it’s a big step up from minor league paychecks.

Right now, he’s on the Nationals’ 60-day IL, which could slow his earnings a bit until he’s back on the mound.

Net Worth and Off-Field Ventures

DJ Herz has already built up a modest chunk of wealth early in his career, thanks to his MLB contract and some smart moves outside baseball.

His finances show both his on-field earnings and some long-term thinking.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

As a newer face in MLB, Herz’s endorsements are just starting to take shape.

His Nationals contract worth $764,200 is the main source of income right now.

He’s started working with a few regional brands, mostly baseball gear and athletic wear.

Notably, he’s popped up in ads for:

• Local businesses around the DC area
• Baseball equipment companies
• Some regional sports drink brands

These deals usually mean some social media posts or local appearances—nothing too distracting from his main focus, which is pitching.

Investments and Business Interests

Herz’s net worth sits around $500,000, which lines up with where he’s at in his career.

He’s got some good financial advice and has put together a pretty balanced investment portfolio.

He’s invested in:
• Real estate: Small properties in his hometown and near DC
• Stock market: Mostly conservative index funds
• Transportation: Minor stakes in logistics companies

Herz is interested in the auto industry, looking at moves some other athletes have made in companies like Ford.

He’s not building a giant business empire yet, but he’s taking smart, careful steps.

His team focuses on steady growth and long-term stability, not risky bets or flashy ventures.

Personal Life and Health

DJ Herz has had to deal with some real health setbacks, including a recent elbow injury.

Off the field, he keeps up with hobbies and interests that help him manage the ups and downs of pro sports.

Injuries and Recovery

Herz’s promising career hit a major roadblock in April 2025. He planned to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery for an elbow injury, according to this report.

It’s a tough break, especially since he was just starting to find his footing with the Washington Nationals.

Tommy John surgery usually sidelines pitchers for 12 to 18 months. Herz will probably miss all of the 2025 season—and there’s a good chance he won’t be back for the start of 2026, either.

Before this injury, Herz generally stayed healthy through his minor league days. Now, his rehab program will play a huge role in whether he can return to form on the mound.

The Nationals say they believe in his recovery. They’re giving him access to top-notch medical care and plenty of support as he works his way back.

Interests Outside Baseball

When he’s not on the diamond, Herz keeps most of his personal life under wraps. You might catch him heading outdoors now and then—he says it helps clear his head during the grind of the baseball season.

Herz grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. That’s where he first fell for baseball, but he also dabbled in other sports and hobbies.

Trying out different sports as a kid gave him some extra athleticism on the mound. Maybe that’s part of what sets him apart.

His teammates often mention how focused he is during training. That discipline isn’t just for show—it spills over into his life away from the game, too.

Herz doesn’t post much on social media. Still, every so often, he’ll share a quick peek into his world, whether that’s hanging out with family or catching up with friends in the offseason.