Chayce McDermott – Baltimore Orioles Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Chayce McDermott has made a rapid climb through the Baltimore Orioles organization since his MLB debut in July 2024.

He was born in Anderson, Indiana, on August 22, 1998.

People first started noticing him during his college days at Ball State, and the Houston Astros picked him in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.

McDermott plays on a one-year contract with the Orioles, worth $762,200. That’s fully guaranteed and lines up with his average annual salary.

He earned this deal after an impressive 2023, when the organization named him Pitcher of the Year.

Unfortunately, a stress injury slowed him down for much of the second half of 2024.

Right now, his net worth sits around $372,500.

That’s modest compared to seasoned MLB vets, but honestly, his career arc hints at bigger things ahead.

He’s moved through a handful of minor league stops before reaching the majors.

The Orioles are clearly betting on his continued development as a key piece of their pitching staff.

Early Life and Background

Chayce Michael McDermott’s baseball story started in the Midwest, shaped by a sports-minded family and his school years.

Those early days really set the tone for his eventual leap to the Baltimore Orioles.

Family and Upbringing

Chayce McDermott was born on August 22, 1998, in Anderson, Indiana.

His family has a strong athletic streak that definitely influenced his path.

His brother, Sean McDermott, played basketball at Butler and even made it to the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.

That’s some serious athletic DNA.

Mike and Kim McDermott, his parents, supported his baseball dreams from the start.

Growing up in Indiana, with its deep baseball roots, Chayce found plenty of competitive youth leagues to sharpen his pitching.

Anderson, his hometown, gave him chances to show off his skills in local competitions.

That experience helped lay the foundation for his future career.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Chayce went to high school in Indiana, where he started to stand out as a pitcher.

He kept that momentum going at Ball State University in Muncie, joining the Cardinals baseball program.

At Ball State, he balanced his studies with developing his pitching arsenal.

The program let him face some tough competition in the Mid-American Conference.

Those college years were crucial for refining his mechanics and building up strength.

His stats kept improving, and scouts started to take notice.

Path to Professional Baseball

Thanks to his strong showing at Ball State, McDermott entered the 2021 MLB Draft with some buzz.

The Houston Astros picked him in the fourth competitive balance round as the 132nd overall pick.

That move kicked off his professional journey.

After the draft, the Astros eventually traded him to the Orioles.

That deal turned out to be a big break, as Baltimore gave him real chances to move up through their minor league system.

He worked his way through the minors and finally made his Major League debut on July 24, 2024, at age 25, pitching against the Miami Marlins.

That moment capped off years of grinding, from Indiana fields to the bright lights of MLB.

Professional Career Overview

Chayce McDermott’s path from draft hopeful to major league pitcher highlights his steady rise as one of the Orioles’ promising young arms.

He’s moved up level by level, not skipping any steps along the way.

Draft and Signing

The Houston Astros grabbed Chayce McDermott in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft, straight out of Ball State.

Right after the draft, McDermott signed his first pro contract with Houston.

He came in with a solid college background.

His fastball had real pop, and his breaking pitches showed promise—even if he was a bit older than the usual draftee, almost 23 at the time.

He then became part of a trade that sent him to Baltimore in 2022 as part of the Trey Mancini deal.

That deal really changed the course of his career.

Minor League Development

McDermott started his pro journey in Houston’s minor league system, where he flashed the strikeout stuff that made him a draft target.

After the Orioles picked him up, he quickly became a top prospect in their deep pitching pipeline.

His time with Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk was key to his growth.

At Norfolk, he worked on his command while still racking up strikeouts.

The Orioles noticed, and his path to Camden Yards became clearer.

Standing 6’3″, McDermott worked hard to sharpen his secondary pitches, especially his breaking balls and changeup.

Major League Debut and Progression

McDermott made his Orioles debut in 2023, joining a young, hungry pitching staff.

His first outing showed both his upside and the learning curve that comes with the big leagues.

Baltimore paid him a rookie salary, with McDermott earning $762,200 for the 2023 season.

That’s about what you’d expect for a pitcher just breaking in.

In spring training before the 2025 season, he competed for a more permanent spot in the Orioles’ staff.

His progress throughout 2024 made a case for his value, whether in the rotation or bullpen.

Orioles fans have been keeping a close eye on his development, hoping he’ll become a big part of their push in the AL East.

Contract Details

Chayce McDermott’s current contract reflects his status as an up-and-coming pitcher with the Orioles.

It gives the team flexibility while leaving room for his earnings to grow.

Current Contract and Salary

Right now, McDermott plays under a one-year, $762,200 contract with Baltimore.

He gets the full amount as guaranteed money, which gives him some financial stability early in his career.

His average salary sits at $762,200, which is pretty standard for pre-arbitration guys.

That’s just how it goes for players at this stage.

His net worth—about $372,500—reflects his early career status.

If he keeps improving and hits arbitration, that number should jump quite a bit.

Arbitration and Free Agency Status

As of January 2025, McDermott has 0.001 years of service time.

He’s still in pre-arbitration, so the Orioles control his contract for a while.

Players generally need three years of MLB service time before they can negotiate bigger salaries.

If he stays in the majors, McDermott could hit arbitration around 2028.

Free agency is even further off, probably 2031, since that takes six full years.

For the Orioles, that long window of team control is valuable as they shape their roster.

Luxury Tax Implications

Because of his low salary, McDermott barely moves the needle on the Orioles’ luxury tax.

His pre-arb deal means only his actual salary counts toward payroll for tax purposes.

As a young, cost-controlled pitcher, McDermott gives Baltimore a lot of value.

That lets them spend elsewhere while he continues to develop.

If he turns into a steady contributor, his contract could become one of the best bargains on the team.

That’s especially important for a club like Baltimore, which doesn’t spend like the big-market teams.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Chayce McDermott has started to build a modest financial base in his baseball career.

Most of his earnings so far come from his MLB contract, with just a little extra from endorsements.

Career Earnings

McDermott began his pro financial journey when Houston drafted him in 2021.

His current Orioles contract is worth about $762,200 for the year, which gives him a solid base income.

Right now, his net worth is roughly $372,500.

That’s not much compared to MLB veterans, but it’s typical for a young prospect.

If he sticks in the majors, his earnings should rise quickly.

With his MLB debut in 2024, McDermott could see his income jump if he locks down a regular rotation spot.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

At this point, McDermott doesn’t have many big endorsements.

That’s pretty common for minor leaguers or players just breaking in.

Most of the time, younger players get small local deals instead of national sponsorships.

For a rising pitcher like McDermott, possible endorsements might include:

• Baseball gear companies (gloves, cleats)
• Sports nutrition brands
• Local businesses in team cities

These deals usually bring in some extra cash but aren’t life-changing at this stage.

If he keeps moving up and gets more attention, those opportunities should grow.

Financial Investments

Like most pros, McDermott probably works with financial advisors to handle his money.

Details are private, but young players usually stick to:

• Conservative investments
• Maybe some real estate
• Retirement planning through MLB’s programs
• Keeping enough cash handy in case things change

Baseball careers can be unpredictable, especially for pitchers.

That risk usually makes players cautious with their money early on.

High-risk stuff like forex trading isn’t really the norm for someone in McDermott’s spot.

Good advice matters, especially when you’re moving from minor league paychecks to bigger MLB money.

That’s the transition McDermott is working through as he settles into the majors.

Playing Style and Skills

Chayce McDermott has shaped a pitching style that blends power with some finesse.

His approach on the mound has earned him a spot as a promising righty in the Orioles system.

Pitching Mechanics and Strengths

McDermott’s bread-and-butter is his four-seam fastball.

He usually sits in the 94–96 mph range, and the pitch has some real ride.

It’s his main weapon against all hitters.

He backs that up with a sharp breaking ball that drops hard and gets plenty of swings and misses, especially low in the zone.

He’s also been working on a changeup that’s improved as he’s moved up the ladder.

At 6’3″, McDermott uses his height to create a tough angle for hitters.

His delivery includes a high leg kick and good extension, making his stuff look even faster.

He’s still ironing out his command and control.

When he’s on, he can dominate, but sometimes the walks creep up on him.

Key Performances and Achievements

Chayce McDermott’s journey to the Baltimore Orioles featured some big moments in the minors. In both Double-A and Triple-A, he racked up several games with 8 or more strikeouts. That kind of swing-and-miss stuff is hard to ignore.

His best run probably came at Norfolk, the Orioles’ Triple-A team. Over six starts, he kept his ERA under 3.00. That impressive stretch led the Orioles to call him up and add him to the MLB roster.

Before he faced big league hitters, McDermott showed he could limit hard contact in the minors. During his best runs, opposing batters didn’t hit better than .230 against him. As he moved up through the system, he got a lot better at controlling his walks and racking up strikeouts.

He’s also done a solid job keeping the ball in the park. McDermott has given up fewer home runs than most pitching prospects at those levels.

Role Within Team Rotation

Since coming to the Orioles, McDermott has tried to carve out his spot in the pitching staff. The team has used him as both a starter and a reliever, trying to figure out where he fits best.

When he starts, McDermott usually goes about 5 or 6 innings. He aims to keep his pitch count manageable and stay efficient. In relief, he’s managed to hold onto his velocity and stay sharp in shorter outings.

The Orioles’ coaches have worked with him on pitch sequencing and how to attack different hitters. That’s made him a lot tougher on lefties, who used to have more success against him.

With a contract value of $762,200, McDermott sits in that group of young players with plenty of upside. The Orioles seem to see him as a key part of their pitching depth moving forward.

Notable Associations and Influences

Chayce McDermott’s baseball path has been shaped by some important relationships in the sport—and even some interests outside the game. He’s grown as a pitcher thanks to teammates, mentors, and the push of good-natured rivalries.

Teammates and Mentors

With the Orioles, McDermott has gotten the chance to work alongside some established arms. Jackson Holliday, one of the game’s top prospects, became a teammate as they both climbed through Baltimore’s farm system.

Spring training in 2024 gave McDermott the chance to pick up advice from veteran pitchers. That mentorship helped him sharpen his approach and played a role in earning his $762,200 contract.

At Ball State University, McDermott’s college coaches pushed him to excel both on the mound and in the classroom. He earned two Academic All-MAC honors and credits that time for helping him grow.

Rival Players and Teams

McDermott’s development owes a lot to facing tough competition. He matched up with hitters like Luis Arraez and Juan Soto as he moved through the minors. Those battles forced him to rethink his pitching strategy.

The AL East isn’t exactly an easy place for a young pitcher. Facing the Yankees, Red Sox, and other division rivals means every outing is a test.

Inside the Orioles system, McDermott had to compete with other pitching prospects for his shot. That kind of internal rivalry definitely pushed him to get better and helped him make the jump from Norfolk to the big leagues.

Off-Field Interests and Connections

When he’s not on the field, McDermott tries to keep things balanced. He’s got a wide range of interests, and music is definitely one of them. Apparently, he’s a big Taylor Swift fan—he even caught her concert during an off-day in 2023.

He talks about entrepreneurship and technology now and then, tossing around ideas about how AI could help with sports training. That kind of curiosity fits with how well he did academically back in college.

McDermott values giving back to the community. He jumps in with Orioles’ charitable events and works with youth baseball programs in Baltimore, mentoring young players while building his own career.

If you scroll through his social media, you’ll see he enjoys other sports too. He especially keeps up with college football when baseball season winds down.