Amos Willingham – Atlanta Braves Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Amos Willingham was born on August 21, 1998, in Rome, Georgia. He’s worked his way up to become a right-handed pitcher that baseball fans are starting to notice.

The Washington Nationals picked him in the 17th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech. Since then, he’s kept grinding, showing gradual growth and a lot of dedication. His story, from college pitcher to pro, really highlights just how much he loves the game.

Willingham makes $740,000 for the 2024 season, up from $720,000 in 2023, and his estimated net worth sits at $500,487. When the Nationals drafted him, he got a signing bonus of $125,000. That showed the team saw something in him early on.

He’s not pulling superstar money yet, but that bump in salary says teams are starting to value what he brings.

Lately, Willingham’s journey took a twist. The Atlanta Braves signed him to a minor league contract, but then released him on April 22, 2025.

That’s the kind of up-and-down a lot of pitchers face when they’re trying to stick in pro ball. Even so, he’s managed to turn a late-round draft pick into a shot at the majors, which says a lot about his grit and pitching chops.

Early Life and Background

Amos Lee Willingham’s baseball story started in Rome, Georgia. His early days there shaped who he is both as an athlete and a person.

Growing up in the Southeast gave him a solid foundation for what he’d do later on the mound.

Family Origins and Upbringing

He was born August 21, 1998 in Rome, Georgia. Not much is out there about his family, but his Georgia roots played a big part in his development.

Rome sits close to Atlanta’s pro sports scene but also touches rural north Georgia. That mix gave him a unique background.

Local youth baseball in Walton County opened doors for him early. He picked up his first pitching skills there.

Standing at 6’4″ and 223 pounds, he clearly had athletic potential. Family and coaches probably noticed that early and helped him along.

Education and Influences

Willingham went to Georgia Tech. It’s a top engineering school but also big on baseball.

At Tech, he juggled tough classes and tough competition in the ACC. That’s no small feat.

Some teachers saw how committed he was to both school and sports. That balance stuck with him and helped him later.

Georgia Tech’s structure helped him sharpen his pitching technique. It’s a place that pushes you to get better.

He finished up college by getting drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 17th round (513th overall) in 2019. That moment flipped the switch from student-athlete to pro.

Community and Regional Context

The South is all about community baseball fields and high school games. That’s where Willingham cut his teeth as a young player.

Rome’s population hovered around 36,000 back then, so it had that small-town feel. Everyone knows everyone.

Faith and church groups are big in that part of Georgia, too. It’s likely those values shaped him as much as the game did.

Places like Niceville and Boggy Bayou put a premium on teamwork and sticking with it. That’s the kind of environment Willingham grew up in.

Southern baseball, especially for pitchers, is all about fundamentals and mental toughness. The humid weather doesn’t hurt when you’re learning to grind it out on the mound.

Baseball Career Overview

Willingham’s baseball path runs from Rome, Georgia, to the Washington Nationals and later the Atlanta Braves.

He built his pitching skills at Georgia Tech, then worked through the minor leagues.

Amateur and Collegiate Achievements

He started out in Rome, where he learned the basics and caught the eye of college scouts.

Georgia Tech picked him up, and he got to test himself against some of the best in the ACC. That’s where he really started to shine as a bullpen arm.

MLB scouts noticed his reliable delivery and saw room for growth. That led to his selection by the Nationals in the 17th round of the 2019 draft.

That pick was a payoff for all the hard work he put in.

Professional Debut and Progression

After signing with the Nationals, Willingham jumped into the minor leagues. He worked as a reliever, moving up through the ranks.

Coaches spent time helping him tweak his mechanics and expand his pitch mix. He kept making steady progress.

By 2023, he’d reached higher levels in the minors, then got a shot with the Atlanta Braves organization. He kept working on his game there.

His contract now reflects that progress, with a salary of $720,000.

Willingham, born in 1998, has dealt with changes in coaching and made adjustments along the way. That’s helped him stay effective on the mound.

Contract Details and Earnings

Willingham’s financial story in pro baseball is a peek at how the business side works for up-and-comers. His contracts show how players move through the system, hoping for that big break.

Initial Agreements and Negotiations

The Nationals drafted him in 2019 in the 17th round out of Georgia Tech. He got a $125,000 bonus, which is pretty standard for that draft slot.

In the minors, he earned regular minor league pay while working on his game. Every promotion came with a little bump in salary.

Things changed in a big way on June 26, 2023, when the Nationals put him on the 40-man roster. That move meant a big pay jump.

Recent Contractual Developments

By 2025, his contract situation looked different. He now earns about $740,000 per year, which puts him in the pre-arbitration phase.

Some reports list his salary at $720,000, and his net worth is around $500,487.

On April 23, 2025, the Atlanta Braves signed him to a minor league deal. Before that, he was with the FCL Braves, which was a bit of a transition.

This one-year contract is pretty typical for pitchers trying to prove themselves. As a pre-arb player, the team has most of the say in what he earns.

Collective Bargaining Agreements Influence

MLB’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) shapes what Willingham can make. As a pre-arbitration player, the team sets his salary, but there’s still a minimum salary floor to protect him.

Here’s how MLB’s CBA affects his earning timeline:

• Pre-arbitration: First 3 seasons, team controls pay
• Arbitration: Years 4-6, salaries can jump a lot
• Free agency: After 6 years, players can negotiate in the open market

As a reliever, his contract value depends on his role. Top relievers make good money, but middle guys usually don’t see huge contracts.

Once he gets closer to arbitration, his stats and performance will start to matter a lot more in negotiations.

Net Worth Analysis

Willingham’s built up a modest net worth since going pro. Most of his value comes from his contracts, especially with the Nationals.

Sources of Income

His main income is his MLB salary. Right now, he makes $740,000 a year with the Nationals.

His net worth sits at about $500,487.

Back in 2019, the Nationals gave him a $125,000 signing bonus when they picked him in the draft.

Before the majors, he earned minor league pay. Those checks aren’t huge, but they kept him afloat while he worked his way up.

Financial Growth Over Time

Since being drafted out of Georgia Tech, his finances have trended upward. The biggest jump came when the Nationals put him on the MLB roster in June 2023.

That move meant going from minor league pay to the MLB minimum, which was a big deal for him.

He’s still early in his career—born in 1998 in Rome, Georgia—so his biggest earning years are probably still ahead.

MLB’s pay structure rewards players who stick around and perform. If he keeps improving, those paydays should come.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

So far, Willingham hasn’t landed big endorsement deals. That’s not unusual for newer players.

He might pick up some local endorsements in the D.C. area, but those are usually small potatoes compared to his salary.

Equipment companies sometimes work with rising players, offering glove or gear deals. The value depends on how well-known the player is.

There’s also potential with social media, but Willingham keeps a pretty low online profile for now. Maybe that’ll change if he gets more attention.

Personal Life and Legacy

Willingham doesn’t just focus on baseball—he finds ways to give back and stay connected to his roots.

He’s involved in public service and local projects, showing he cares about more than just stats.

Community Involvement and Philanthropy

Despite his pro career, Willingham keeps close ties to Rome, Georgia. He heads back home in the off-season, running youth baseball clinics and encouraging the next generation.

In 2023, he started “Pitch for Progress” after being drafted by the Nationals. The program helps schools in Washington, focusing on educational resources for underserved kids.

His foundation has helped fix up three public baseball fields in Georgia, giving kids safe places to play. He also joins local food banks for holiday drives, pitching in personally when he can.

Achievements Beyond Baseball

Before he turned pro, Willingham really pushed himself at Georgia Tech. He juggled tough engineering classes with the demands of college athletics.

That kind of academic hustle? It’s set him up for plenty of options once his baseball days wind down.

Willingham cares deeply about rural Georgia, and he’s stepped up as an advocate for economic development there. He’s put money into two small businesses in his hometown, which has opened up jobs and given the local economy a little boost.

When he visits schools, he talks about how education matters just as much as sports. He’s not shy about sharing his story, from Snead State Community College all the way to pro baseball—hoping it helps someone else keep going.

On top of all that, Willingham’s picked up a camera and started snapping photos on the road. He posts shots from ballparks all over the country, showing off moments most folks never get to see.