Brenan Hanifee – Detroit Tigers Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Brenan Hanifee has quietly put in the work, grinding through the minor leagues to carve out a spot in professional baseball. Right now, the right-handed pitcher is part of the Detroit Tigers organization, where he signed a one-year contract worth $766,000 for the 2024 season.

He’s spent time with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, picking up valuable experience against some tough competition.

After choosing free agency in November 2023, Hanifee decided to re-sign with the Tigers in December. The team clearly sees something in his development and potential.

His career path has included a few contract changes—pretty standard for a pitcher still working his way up in pro baseball.

Hanifee isn’t a household name yet, but he really embodies the persistence it takes to climb baseball’s tough minor league ladder.

He’s a Virginia native, still working hard to prove himself as a reliable option for the Tigers’ pitching staff. This latest contract gives him some financial breathing room as he chases his big league goals.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Brenan Reese Hanifee grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia, born on May 29, 1998.

He started showing promise as a pitcher early on, and that talent eventually led him to the Detroit Tigers.

Background and Family

Hanifee spent his childhood in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, a place where baseball has deep roots.

His family always backed his athletic dreams right from the start.

Living in Harrisonburg meant he had access to strong youth baseball programs, which helped him sharpen his pitching.

There’s not a ton of public info about his immediate family, but their support clearly played a role in his dedication.

Local coaches noticed his natural arm and strong work ethic—traits that still define him.

Growing up in a region with a rich baseball tradition, Hanifee got to face some real competition while he developed.

High School Achievements

He attended Ashby High School in Bridgewater, Virginia, where he quickly became one of the top pitching prospects in the area.

Hanifee’s high school years featured standout performances that got scouts and college coaches paying attention.

As a senior, he regularly overpowered hitters with a fastball that had surprising velocity for his age.

He mixed his pitches well and controlled the game from the mound, standing out among his peers.

As team captain, he led Ashby to district title contention and picked up several all-district and all-region honors.

By the end of his high school run, Hanifee was recognized as one of Virginia’s top pitching prospects.

College Baseball Experience

Hanifee had college offers, but he went a different direction.

After graduating in 2016, the Baltimore Orioles picked him in the fourth round of the MLB Draft, 121st overall.

Getting drafted that high is a big deal—scouts clearly liked his raw tools and upside.

Instead of playing college ball, Hanifee signed with the Orioles organization right away.

He jumped into the minor league system as a teenager, starting the long process toward his MLB debut.

Professional Baseball Journey

Hanifee’s pro career kicked off when the Baltimore Orioles drafted him out of high school.

He’s worked his way up through the minors, which eventually led to a contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Minor League Progression

Hanifee’s journey really began when the Orioles picked him in the draft.

He was just 19, but he quickly made a name for himself as a promising prospect in the Orioles system, even landing at #10 in their minor league rankings.

He focused on developing as a starter, working on his control and building up his pitch mix.

He moved through the lower minors, getting better each year.

After a few seasons with Baltimore, the Orioles released him.

That setback didn’t last long—he signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers in December 2022.

Detroit assigned him to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, which put him one step away from the majors.

He made 25 appearances for Toledo and showed enough value to stick around.

Major League Debut

Hanifee’s solid Triple-A work got him a look with the Detroit Tigers’ big league club.

Making his MLB debut was the result of years of grinding through the minors.

He started out pitching mostly out of the bullpen.

That role let him show off his knack for generating ground balls and keeping hitters off balance.

Hanifee’s mix—a sinking fastball and some sharp breaking stuff—worked well in his first taste of the majors.

He managed to keep the ball in the park and avoided giving up big home runs during those early outings.

The Tigers’ coaching staff liked his poise and how he executed pitches under pressure.

Those are good signs for someone hoping to stick in the majors.

Notable Career Highlights

Hanifee’s career has a few highlights worth mentioning.

Reaching Triple-A was a big step and put him among the top minor leaguers.

In December 2023, he got a real vote of confidence from the Tigers, signing a $766,000 contract.

That’s a solid investment for a pitcher still on the rise.

His pitching stats have steadily improved, especially in strikeouts per nine innings and walk rate.

He’s not a flamethrower, but his command and pitch movement have made him effective.

Hanifee puts a lot of effort into getting weak contact instead of just chasing strikeouts, and that’s worked against advanced hitters.

He’s held his own against division rivals and even put together good outings against teams like the Philadelphia Phillies in interleague play.

Brenan Hanifee Contract Details

Hanifee’s career so far has included a few contracts that show his progress through the minors.

His latest deal with the Detroit Tigers marks a key step forward.

Current Contract Overview

As of now, Hanifee is under contract with the Detroit Tigers, having signed a one-year, $766,000 deal for 2024.

The contract is fully guaranteed, so he’s locked in for the season.

This deal shows the Tigers see value in him, even if he spends most of his time at Triple-A.

It puts him in line for possible big league appearances if he keeps performing.

This is a typical MLB minimum salary level contract for a player at his stage—still breaking in, but with upside.

Previous Contracts

Hanifee started out in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

After Baltimore released him, he signed his first minor league contract with Detroit in December 2022.

He later elected free agency on November 17, 2023, but the Tigers brought him back less than a month later on December 8.

Before joining Detroit, Hanifee’s deals with the Orioles followed the standard minor league pay scale, which is much lower than MLB contracts.

Salary Progression

Hanifee’s pay has followed the usual path for a minor league pitcher working his way up.

His current $766,000 deal is his highest salary yet, reflecting his progress.

During his years with the Orioles and his first Tigers season, Hanifee earned the standard minor league wages, ranging from about $11,000-$15,000 for Single-A up to $35,000-$45,000 for Triple-A per year.

His time with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens marks a step up in both level and pay.

If he keeps developing, he could land a bigger MLB contract down the line, with Detroit or maybe another team.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Most of Hanifee’s financial picture comes from his baseball career, with his rookie MLB contract as the main source.

His earnings so far look pretty normal for a player who’s worked through the minors and just broken into the majors.

Estimated Net Worth

Hanifee’s estimated net worth sits somewhere between $800,000 and $1.2 million.

That’s a modest amount, but it makes sense for someone just reaching the majors with the Tigers.

Born in 1998, Hanifee is still early in his MLB career, and the big money usually comes after a few seasons.

Most of his net worth comes from his baseball salary and signing bonuses.

When the Orioles drafted him in the fourth round in 2016, he got an initial signing bonus that helped start his financial foundation.

If he sticks around in the big leagues, his net worth should climb quickly.

Earnings from Baseball

Hanifee’s current salary with Detroit is $766,000 for the year, thanks to his one-year deal.

That’s his first major league contract, a huge jump from what he made in the minors.

Before reaching the majors, Hanifee earned the usual minor league pay, which is about $400-$700 a week during the season, depending on the level.

As a fourth-round pick in 2016, he likely received a signing bonus in the $400,000-$500,000 range, though the exact number isn’t public.

His future earnings will depend on his performance and whether he can land a longer-term MLB deal—if that happens, his income could rise fast.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Hanifee’s not a big name yet, so his endorsements are pretty limited.

Most young MLB players start out with equipment deals from glove or cleat companies.

He probably has some basic arrangements for gear—gloves, cleats, maybe some apparel—but nothing major has been announced.

These early deals usually offer more free equipment than cash.

If Hanifee becomes a fixture in Detroit, local endorsement opportunities could pop up.

Regional businesses like to work with promising players for marketing.

Back in Harrisonburg, Virginia, he might also find some hometown sponsorships if his MLB profile grows.

Those community ties can turn into valuable marketing as a career develops.

Performance Analysis and Statistics

Brenan Hanifee has developed into a promising relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers in 2025.

His stats show he’s got excellent control and does a great job keeping runners off base, especially when you look at his ERA and WHIP.

ERA and Pitching Style

Hanifee’s 1.10 ERA this season? It’s honestly impressive—he stands out as one of the most effective relievers right now.

He leans on control and ground ball outs, not just pure power. You won’t see him blowing fastballs past everyone, but his approach works.

The righty mixes a sinker and slider, getting hitters to make soft contact. Opponents rarely barrel him up, and the ball usually stays in the yard.

Hanifee works the corners, changes speeds, and just doesn’t give up many home runs. That’s been a huge part of why his ERA looks so good.

His pitch selection and sequencing feel surprisingly mature, especially since he hasn’t spent that long in the majors.

Season-by-Season Performance

After joining the Tigers, Hanifee really started to develop. He was born on May 29, 1998 in Harrisonburg, VA, and the Orioles picked him in the fourth round back in 2016.

His time in the minors showed steady growth before he finally got his shot in the big leagues. In November 2023, Hanifee elected free agency and then signed with Detroit.

This 2025 season? It’s shaping up to be his breakout. By May 10, he’s already become a trusted bullpen arm for the Tigers.

He’s gone from prospect to reliable big-league reliever, and you can see the resilience and work ethic behind that jump.

Key Statistics Overview

Hanifee has racked up 12 strikeouts so far in 2025. That number isn’t eye-popping, but honestly, it fits his pitching style.

The stat that really stands out? His 1.10 WHIP. That shows he keeps runners off base and has excellent control.

2025 Key Statistics (as of May 10):

• ERA: 1.10
• WHIP: 1.10
• Strikeouts: 12
• Saves: 0

Hanifee gets a lot of ground balls, which is pretty impressive. Oddly enough, those haven’t turned into many double plays yet.

Coaches have started to trust him more in big moments. He just keeps showing up in those high-leverage situations.

The right-hander can handle multiple innings when the team needs it. That kind of versatility adds real value to the Tigers’ bullpen.

Honestly, his ability to fill different roles makes him a key part of their relief crew.