Brent Honeywell has fought through a long list of setbacks to make his mark in Major League Baseball. He’s a right-handed pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates now, after signing a minor league contract worth $1.25 million in February 2024. Before Pittsburgh, he bounced around with teams like the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Honeywell has put together a net worth of about $2.69 million, but that number hides a lot of financial ups and downs. His last contract with the Padres in 2023 was a split deal—he got $725,000 in the majors, but just $200,000 in the minors, which really shows how wide the pay gap is between MLB and minor league salaries.
What keeps Honeywell’s story interesting is his determination, especially through all those arm surgeries that delayed his debut. His screwball, which you almost never see these days, makes him stand out from the crowd. Fans keep a close eye on him, hoping he can finally lock down a steady spot in the big leagues.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Brent Honeywell Jr. didn’t just stumble into baseball—his family roots in the sport run deep, and he built on that foundation with strong showings in high school and college. He started shaping his unusual pitching style early on.
Background and Family
Brent Lee Honeywell Jr. was born on March 31, 1995, in Augusta, Georgia. He grew up surrounded by baseball—his dad, Brent Honeywell Sr., worked as a pitching coach. That kind of thing leaves a mark. Brent got a hands-on education in pitching from an early age.
He fell in love with the game as a kid in Georgia. His dad’s focus on mechanics helped Brent build a solid technical approach. That early coaching shaped the way he throws today, including his signature screwball.
The Honeywells didn’t just care about sports; they pushed for good grades too, which gave Brent a pretty balanced start.
High School Years
Honeywell went to Franklin County High School in Georgia, and that’s where he started making a name for himself on the mound. His fastball got faster every year, and local scouts started to notice.
He wasn’t a top national prospect in high school, but he showed flashes of talent and had a solid set of pitches. Coaches liked his natural arm action and the way he could throw strikes over and over. By the time he was a senior, colleges started to pay attention, but he wasn’t really on MLB teams’ radar yet.
Collegiate Achievements
After high school, Honeywell landed at Walters State Community College in Tennessee. That’s where things really took off for him. He dialed in his mechanics, got his velocity up, and developed his now-famous screwball—a pitch that almost nobody throws these days.
His time at Walters State transformed him from a sleeper into a legit pro prospect. MLB scouts started to show up, especially from the Tampa Bay Rays, who have a reputation for developing pitchers.
In 2014, Honeywell’s hard work paid off. The Tampa Bay Rays drafted him in the second round (72nd overall). That was the start of his pro career.
Path to MLB and Draft Experience
Brent Honeywell climbed the minor league ladder in impressive fashion, even though injuries tried to knock him off course. His journey is a mix of raw talent and some serious grit.
Draft Details and Signing
The Tampa Bay Rays grabbed Honeywell in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft with the 72nd overall pick. Coming out of Walters State, he stood out as a pitching prospect with something different to offer.
His draft spot showed teams saw his potential. The Rays, who are pretty sharp when it comes to developing arms, made him a priority. Honeywell signed with them and jumped right into their farm system, setting out to prove himself.
Minor League Development
Honeywell moved up the minor league ranks quickly, and his screwball became his calling card. Between 2014 and 2017, he kept rising, reaching Triple-A Durham and racking up strikeouts.
In 2017, he shined at the All-Star Futures Game and took home MVP honors. That put him on the national radar as one of the top pitching prospects.
But then, in 2018, disaster struck—Tommy John surgery. That was just the first of four arm surgeries that kept him out of action for years.
Notable Prospect Rankings
During his time in the minors, Honeywell kept showing up on top prospect lists. Some outlets had him in the top 10 or 15 in all of baseball.
Baseball America and MLB Pipeline both listed him as the Rays’ #1 prospect at one point. His screwball and overall pitch mix made him stand out, even among other top arms.
Scouts saw him as a future front-line starter, thanks to his command and pitch variety. Even with all the injuries, Honeywell held onto his high ranking until he finally got his shot in the majors.
His presence boosted the Rays’ farm system, which was already one of the best in baseball.
Professional Career and Team History
Brent Honeywell’s pro career has been anything but boring. He started out with the Tampa Bay Rays, where expectations ran high, but injuries and trades sent him on a winding path.
Time With Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays picked Honeywell in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft. After signing, he quickly became one of their top pitching prospects.
He impressed in the minors, especially with his screwball. By 2017, he was at Triple-A Durham and took MVP honors at the All-Star Futures Game.
Then came the injuries. He had Tommy John surgery in February 2018, and more arm surgeries followed. He didn’t pitch in a real game for almost four years.
Honeywell finally made his MLB debut on April 11, 2021, with the Rays. He made a few appearances as he tried to get back to form.
Trade to San Diego Padres
After a short big league stint with the Rays, Honeywell got traded to the Oakland Athletics in November 2021. He didn’t actually pitch in a regular-season game for Oakland.
By November 2022, he signed with the San Diego Padres. This was another chance for him to show what he could do after all the injury setbacks.
With the Padres, Honeywell hoped to finally stick in the majors. His journey through different teams shows just how determined he is to carve out a spot in the big leagues.
MLB Debut and Major League Highlights
Brent Honeywell’s route to the majors was anything but smooth. Injuries kept knocking him down, but he always got back up. When he finally made it, there were some memorable moments—just not as many as anyone would have liked.
Making His MLB Debut
After years of surgeries and rehab, Honeywell made his MLB debut on April 11, 2021 against the Yankees. That was almost four years after his last minor league appearance in 2017.
The Rays, who drafted him in 2014, finally gave him a shot. Given all the elbow surgeries he’d been through, just getting to the mound was a huge win.
His debut was a reminder of why scouts were so high on him in the first place. The Rays stuck with him through the long rehab, betting on his talent.
Key Performances and Milestones
Honeywell hasn’t piled up a ton of MLB stats, mostly because of all the injuries. Still, he’s shown flashes of the old prospect hype, especially with that screwball that’s basically extinct in today’s game.
In January 2022, Honeywell was traded to the Oakland Athletics. Later, he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates on a minor league contract with a spring training invite.
With a reported salary of $725,000 and a net worth near $2.69 million, he’s still working to find a steady role in the majors.
Contract Details and Salary Progression
Brent Honeywell’s contracts tell the story of a player with big potential but tough luck. His earnings have gone up and down, depending on his health and whether he was in the majors or minors.
First Professional Contracts
After the Rays took him in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Honeywell signed his first deal with a signing bonus that matched his draft slot. He spent years in the minors before his big league debut.
When he finally made it to MLB in 2021, he got the usual pre-arbitration salary. After bouncing around on waivers, Honeywell signed with the Padres for 2023 on a one-year, $725,000 deal. That was a nice jump in pay.
The Padres contract was a split deal, so he’d get $200,000 in the minors and the full $725,000 if he stuck in the majors.
Arbitration and Team Control
Honeywell hasn’t reached arbitration eligibility yet, so teams have kept him under control his entire pro career. The Pittsburgh Pirates added him to their major league roster in July 2024, but he only made two appearances before moving on.
Injuries have really shaped his career, limiting his service time and keeping him from hitting arbitration milestones. By 2025, Honeywell has played for a handful of organizations: the Rays, Athletics, White Sox, Padres, Pirates, and Dodgers.
The Dodgers picked up his contract in August 2024. His salary reflects his spot as a player still under team control, and his long injury history has definitely hurt his earning power since he hasn’t banked enough service time to make a dent in team payrolls.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
Brent Honeywell has managed to build up a modest net worth through his professional baseball career, even with all the injury setbacks. His finances mostly come from his MLB contracts, maybe a few endorsements, and whatever investments he’s made outside the game.
Estimated Career Earnings
Brent Honeywell’s net worth sits at an estimated $2,690,032, most of that coming from his baseball salary and bonuses. Right now, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he’s earning $725,000, which is pretty standard for someone with his experience.
His career earnings tell the story of a guy who’s bounced around the big leagues, never quite sticking in one spot. With just over two years of MLB service (listed at 2.045 years), he hasn’t had the time to rack up the kind of money veteran players do.
He first entered pro ball as a second-round pick (#72 overall) in 2014, which probably came with a decent, but not life-changing, signing bonus.
Sponsorships and Endorsements
There’s not much public info about Honeywell’s endorsements. As a reliever who’s dealt with a ton of injuries, he hasn’t had the same sponsorship opportunities as star starters or big-name position players.
Most guys in his spot usually land equipment deals—gloves, cleats, maybe some gear—for free merch more than real cash. For Honeywell, at this stage, those deals just don’t add much to his bottom line.
He might pick up a few local endorsements in the cities where he’s played, but honestly, any extra income from that would be pretty minor compared to his baseball salary.
Investments and Business Interests
People don’t know much about Honeywell’s investments or business ventures. Like a lot of pros, he probably works with financial advisors to make sure he’s set up for life after baseball.
With all the injuries and the uncertainty of a sports career, you’d expect him to focus on solid financial planning. The MLB Players Association offers financial education, so he’s got resources if he wants them.
Players at his level often stick with conservative investments to protect what they’ve earned, though some take a shot at real estate or small businesses. Without anything specific in the news, what Honeywell does with his money stays private.
Injuries and Comebacks
Brent Honeywell’s baseball journey has been shaped—maybe even defined—by his injury battles, especially with his pitching arm. He’s gone through multiple surgeries and grueling rehabs, but he’s never stopped fighting to stay on the mound.
Significant Injuries
Honeywell’s injury woes started in February 2018 during spring training when he tore his ulnar collateral ligament and needed Tommy John surgery. That was a brutal blow, but things only got worse. By June 2019, while still recovering, he fractured his right elbow and had to go under the knife again.
His bad luck didn’t let up. In 2020, Honeywell needed decompression surgery on his elbow, and then a nerve issue forced a fourth surgery in December 2020. Four major arm surgeries in less than three years—pretty rough.
These setbacks kept him off the field for three full seasons (2018-2020). For a guy who was once one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, that had to be a tough pill to swallow.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Finally, in 2021, Honeywell’s comeback started to take shape. He made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on April 11. After all that time away, just getting back on a big-league mound was a huge deal. He threw 4.1 innings over three games for the Rays.
He kept working at it with the Oakland Athletics in 2022, pitching in seven games. By 2023, he took another step—23 appearances with the San Diego Padres and a 4.79 ERA.
In 2024, Honeywell signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a minor-league deal that would pay $1.25 million if he reached the majors. Even with all the surgeries and lost years, he’s stuck with it, showing a level of mental toughness and commitment that’s pretty rare in the game.
Notable Teammates and Influences
Throughout his career, Brent Honeywell has met and played alongside some talented guys who’ve helped shape him as a pitcher. His time in the majors has been full of veteran mentors and peers who’ve influenced his approach and mindset.
Mentors and Coaches
Honeywell really benefited from the coaching staff in the Tampa Bay Rays system, especially early on. The Rays have a reputation for developing pitchers, and their coaches helped him fine-tune his screwball and other pitches.
During his minor league years, pitching coaches and rehab specialists worked closely with him, especially as he battled back from those arm surgeries. The medical staff put in a lot of effort to get him back on track.
His grit through all the injuries earned him a lot of respect in the clubhouse. Teammates and coaches have pointed out how determined he’s been to make it back, even after so many setbacks.
Collaborations With Blake Snell and Others
Blake Snell, who won a Cy Young Award, was one of Honeywell’s more notable teammates when they were both top prospects with the Rays. Their competitive friendship pushed each other to get better.
When Honeywell reached the majors, he shared the clubhouse (even if briefly) with veterans like Eric Hosmer and Mike Clevinger. Those experiences gave him a look at the mental side of pitching at the top level.
In San Diego, Honeywell worked alongside guys like Trent Grisham. Building new relationships helped him adjust after leaving the Rays, where he’d spent most of his early career.
Baseball analyst R.J. Anderson has often pointed out Honeywell’s unique pitch mix, especially his screwball. Anderson seems genuinely intrigued by what Honeywell can do when he’s healthy.
Playing Style and On-Field Impact
Brent Honeywell stands out for his unusual pitch arsenal and his determination to keep coming back from injuries. His approach and stats tell the story of a pitcher with loads of potential who’s had to fight for every shot at sticking in the big leagues.
Pitching Repertoire
The screwball is Honeywell’s calling card—a pitch you almost never see these days. It moves the opposite way from a curveball and really sets him apart.
He also throws a four-seam fastball (usually 92-95 mph), a two-seamer with movement, a changeup, and a breaking ball. With five pitches, he can attack hitters from both sides of the plate.
Before injuries slowed him down, scouts loved his command and how he sequenced pitches. Mixing things up kept hitters guessing, and that’s why he was such a big deal in the Rays’ system.
When he’s healthy, Honeywell works quickly and isn’t afraid to go after hitters instead of nibbling at the corners.
Statistical Performance
Honeywell’s big-league stats show a guy who’s struggled to find consistency, mostly because injuries have kept him off the field. He finally debuted in 2021 with the Rays after a long wait.
He’s mostly pitched in relief in the majors, and his numbers haven’t matched what he did in the minors. His ERA has stayed north of 4.00 during his brief MLB stints.
In the minors, though, Honeywell posted a career 2.88 ERA and struck out almost 10 guys per nine innings in the Rays’ system. He even won MVP honors at the 2017 All-Star Futures Game, which says a lot about his upside.
After signing with the San Diego Padres for $725,000 in 2023, Honeywell kept trying to find his rhythm. His stats suggest he’s still working to settle in at the top level.
He’s flashed the talent that made him a top prospect, but putting it together consistently has been his biggest hurdle so far.
Media Coverage and Public Perception
Brent Honeywell’s story has drawn a mix of media attention, especially after his rise as a top minor league arm and the string of injuries that followed.
Major Press Features
Early on, Honeywell got a lot of press as one of the Rays’ best pitching prospects. From 2016 to 2018, you’d see him on just about every “top prospects” list. His screwball—something you barely see anymore—became a talking point for analysts and pitching coaches.
Once the injuries piled up, coverage shifted to his comeback attempts. Outlets like ESPN and MLB Network brought in medical experts to explain what he was going through and how tough his rehab would be.
The Athletic even ran a detailed feature that included interviews with Honeywell and the medical team helping him recover.
Influence of Social Media
On social media, Honeywell isn’t super flashy, but he’s got a loyal following. His Instagram gives fans a peek at his rehab and training, and people seem to genuinely root for him.
Baseball Twitter loves to debate his potential. Some folks think his current $725,000 salary could be a steal if he ever gets back to form.
Fan forums are a mixed bag—some get frustrated by his injuries, others still believe in his stuff. Sports medicine accounts sometimes use his case as an example of how tough it is to stay healthy as a pitcher these days.
When he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, it sparked new chatter, with fans speculating about how the team might use him.
Off-Field Endeavors and Personal Life
Away from the mound, Brent Honeywell has found ways to stay connected to his roots and give back to the game.
Community Involvement
Honeywell keeps close ties with his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. He often shows up at local baseball clinics for kids, especially in the offseason. He’s also known to swing by Walters State Community College, his alma mater, to mentor young players.
He helps out with youth baseball programs, showing he cares about giving back to the sport that shaped his life. Honeywell sometimes visits Tampa Bay area schools too, keeping up with the region where he started his pro career with the Tampa Bay Rays.
In 2023, he joined several MLB-sponsored community outreach events, teaming up with other players to help promote baseball in underserved areas.
Charitable Work
Honeywell really cares about healthcare initiatives, especially those tied to arm injuries and the recovery process—something he knows all too well from his own career setbacks. He’s put time and resources into foundations that focus on medical research for pitching-related injuries.
After dealing with a bunch of surgeries and tough rehab stints himself, Honeywell started pushing for better player healthcare resources. He’s shown up at fundraising events for medical facilities that treat pro athletes, not just as a guest but as someone who really gets it.
On top of that, Honeywell has quietly backed vaccination awareness efforts in the pro sports world. He recognizes how crucial player health protocols are—maybe more than most, given everything he’s gone through with surgeries. It’s left him pretty tuned in to the challenges athletes face when it comes to getting proper healthcare, whether they’re just starting out or playing at the highest level.
Legacy and Future Outlook
Brent Honeywell’s story in baseball is really about grit and stubborn determination. He started out as a top pitching prospect, but then those brutal arm injuries just kept coming, knocking him off the path everyone thought he’d take.
He’s got this screwball—yeah, the pitch his dad taught him—that hardly anyone throws anymore. It’s kind of his signature, and honestly, it gives him a weirdly special spot in today’s game. Not a lot of pitchers even bother with it these days.
In February 2024, Honeywell signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s a minor league deal, but if he makes it to the majors, he could pull in $1.25 million. That’s a solid chance for him, but also, there’s pressure. He’s got to prove he can stick as a big-league pitcher.
By the 2025 season, he’ll be 30. That’s not young, but it’s not exactly over-the-hill for a pitcher either. Some baseball folks keep saying his resilience is the thing that might actually carry him further.
Coaches often mention how tough he’s been mentally, especially to the younger guys coming up. They see him as a reminder that pitching in the big leagues can get ugly, fast, and that you’ve got to be tough to last.
So, what’s next? It’s hard to say. Honeywell needs to keep adapting, especially after all those surgeries. If he can pull it off, maybe he turns his story from a warning about injuries into something way more inspiring.
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