Corey Julks – Chicago White Sox Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Corey Julks has been quietly grinding his way through pro baseball ever since he left the University of Houston. At 29, he’s an outfielder and designated hitter now working to make a name for himself in the Chicago White Sox organization.

He pulls in a salary of $720,000 per year, and estimates put his net worth at about $860,000. That puts him right in the mix with other younger pre-arbitration players who are still trying to prove themselves at the top level.

Julks made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros and has been navigating the tough road so many ballplayers face. Born on February 27, 1996, he stands 5’11” and weighs 220 pounds.

He bats right-handed and has played all over the outfield. Julks is still pre-arbitration eligible, and as of January 2025, he’ll have 1.105 years of MLB service time.

The road hasn’t exactly been smooth for Julks. Back in 2017, he got a signing bonus of $140,000 when he began his pro career.

He worked his way up through the minors, eventually signing his first major league deal. Now, he’s fighting to lock down his future in the big leagues.

For guys like Julks, these next couple of seasons matter a lot. He’s got to show he can stick as a regular, or he might end up bouncing between the majors and minors.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Corey Julks’ baseball story really started with his family backing him and continued through standout high school and college years.

He grew as an outfielder, and his talent got noticed along the way.

Family Background

Corey Christopher Julks was born on February 27, 1996, in Friendswood, Texas. Growing up in this Houston suburb, he got to experience the area’s strong baseball culture firsthand.

His family saw his athletic gifts early on. They gave him the support he needed as a kid.

The Julks family made sure he focused on both sports and school. That balance helped him succeed as he climbed the baseball ladder.

His Texas roots shaped his style—he’s got that grit and determination you see in a lot of players from the area. Being close to Houston also let him catch Astros games, which probably meant a lot later in his career.

High School Achievements

At Friendswood High School, Julks turned heads as a multi-sport athlete, but baseball was always his main thing. His speed and arm strength made him a real asset in the outfield.

He picked up district honors for his play and helped his team reach the playoffs. Julks consistently hit near the top of the lineup, showing off his growing offensive skills.

College scouts started to take notice. His high school success opened doors for him to play at the next level.

Collegiate Baseball Journey

Julks decided to stay home and play for the University of Houston. He kept getting better, working on his swing and his outfield defense.

Each year, his stats improved. By his junior season, he put up numbers that got major league scouts interested.

He played in the tough American Athletic Conference, where he had to face quality pitching. The Houston Astros picked him in the 8th round (241st overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft.

His time at UH really transformed him from a talented high school kid into a legit pro prospect.

Professional Baseball Career

Corey Julks has built his pro career on determination and being able to play just about anywhere in the outfield. His climb from the minors to the majors shows off both his bat and his glove.

MLB Debut and Rise with the Astros

Julks debuted in the big leagues with the Houston Astros on April 1, 2023, after signing a minor league deal with them. He earned that call-up after years of grinding in Houston’s farm system, slowly improving his hitting and fielding.

He didn’t have an easy ride through the minors. At each stop—High-A, Double-A, Triple-A—he just kept working.

That first season in the majors gave him a taste of MLB pitching and defense. Like most rookies, he faced some tough adjustments.

Playing Positions: Outfielder Insights

Julks has played all over the outfield—left, right, and center. At 5’11” and 220 pounds, he’s got a strong, compact build with decent speed and a solid arm.

He’s shown he can run good routes in left field and make throws that keep runners honest. In right field, his arm strength stands out.

He’s even filled in at center field, showing he’s got the range and flexibility teams like. That versatility definitely helps his chances of sticking on a roster.

Defensively, Julks keeps working on his quickness and how he reads the ball off the bat. He knows there’s always room to get better.

Performance Highlights and Key Stats

Julks has flashed some power and speed as a pro. His minor league numbers, especially at Triple-A, showed a jump in OPS (on-base plus slugging).

He uses a compact swing that’s built for contact but can still generate some pop. Julks has been working on his plate discipline and pitch selection to get more out of his at-bats.

On the bases, he uses his speed to stretch hits and grab stolen bases when he can. That mix of power and speed gives him some versatility on offense.

If you look at his minor league stats, you’ll see steady growth in his hitting and power as he moved up through Houston’s system.

Injuries and Time on the Injured List

Like most pros, Julks has had to deal with injuries. He’s spent some time on the injured list, which has affected his development at different points.

He’s taken those setbacks seriously, working closely with the Astros’ medical staff during rehab. They focused on making sure he recovered the right way and avoided repeat issues.

Most of his injuries have been minor, nothing too serious. That’s let him stay pretty durable so far.

Julks has put more emphasis on conditioning and injury prevention lately. Flexibility and prehab routines are now a bigger part of his training, all to keep him on the field with the Chicago White Sox organization.

Contract Details and Salary History

Corey Julks has worked his way up from minor league deals to earning MLB money. His salary history really tells the story of his development as a player.

Initial Signing and Minor League Deals

The Houston Astros picked Julks in the 8th round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of Houston. As a college guy picked in the middle rounds, he got a pretty standard signing bonus.

He signed minor league contracts at first, earning typical minor league wages—anywhere from about $4,800 to $14,000 a season, depending on the level.

Julks kept working in the Astros’ system, and eventually, his performance earned him a shot at the majors. The Astros selected his contract from Sugar Land Space Cowboys on January 19, 2023.

MLB Contracts and Renewals

When Julks made it to the big leagues in 2023, he landed a standard pre-arbitration contract with Houston. First-year MLB players usually get deals at or just above the league minimum.

His first major league contract came with Houston, but eventually, he ended up with the Chicago White Sox. Details on the move aren’t totally clear, but that’s where he’s at now.

For the 2024 season, Julks signed a one-year contract for $755,700. That’s right in line with the pre-arbitration scale, since he hasn’t hit the service time needed for arbitration yet.

Current Salary and Earnings Overview

As of 2025, Julks is making $720,000 per year. There are some small differences in reported numbers, but he’s still in the pre-arbitration phase, so his salary sits near the league minimum.

His net worth is estimated at $860,000. That figure takes into account his signing bonus, minor league pay, and what he’s made in the majors so far.

He hasn’t hit arbitration or free agency yet—those are the real money years in MLB. If he keeps improving, he could be in line for a much bigger payday down the road.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Corey Julks has put together some financial stability since turning pro, but his earnings are still pretty modest when compared to MLB stars. His net worth reflects where he stands as a newer player still carving out a spot in the majors.

Estimated Career Earnings

Julks’ net worth sits at about $860,000, coming mostly from his MLB salary and his Astros signing bonus. In 2023, he pulled in a salary of $720,000 during his rookie year.

His pay went up a bit in 2024 to $755,700, which is the usual bump for pre-arbitration guys. That’s just how the system works for young players before they hit arbitration.

When the Astros drafted him in 2017, he got an initial signing bonus, but it wasn’t huge given his draft slot. So far, his career earnings are still limited as he plays under team control.

Endorsements and Off-Field Income

Julks hasn’t really made a splash in the endorsement world yet. As a newer guy still trying to establish himself, he hasn’t landed big sponsorships like some of the league’s stars.

Most of his money comes from his baseball salary. Unlike top-tier players who sign with big brands or get endorsement deals, Julks hasn’t had much in the way of outside income.

His social media following is pretty modest, too, so he’s not making much as an influencer. If he sticks around and becomes more visible, maybe those endorsement chances will come—especially if he connects with fans in Houston, where he played college ball.

Financial Impact of Trades and Injuries

Julks’ finances have stayed pretty steady since he hasn’t been through any major trades or suffered big injuries. The Astros drafted him in 2017, and he stayed with them for a while, which gave him some stability.

That consistency let him focus on improving his game instead of having to deal with new teams and cities. He also avoided the tax headaches that come with getting traded.

He hasn’t had any injuries that really derailed his career or his earnings. For pre-arbitration guys, missing time can be costly, since it can delay service time and slow down the path to arbitration and bigger paychecks.

Notable Games, Trades, and Teammates

Corey Julks has seen some pretty big changes in his career, especially with trades. Along the way, he’s built relationships with notable teammates during his time in Major League Baseball.

His journey from the Houston Astros to the Chicago White Sox has featured more than a few memorable moments and some important professional connections.

High-Profile Trades and Game Performances

On May 15, 2024, the Houston Astros made a big move—they traded Julks to the Chicago White Sox for right-handed pitcher Luis Rodriguez. That deal really shifted things for Julks, pulling him away from the team that drafted and developed him, and dropping him into a fresh opportunity in Chicago.

While he played for the Astros, Julks had some standout games, especially against tough AL rivals. He looked especially sharp in matchups with the Mariners and Blue Jays, showing off his skills as both an outfielder and a designated hitter.

After he landed with the White Sox, Julks hit a bit of an adjustment phase. The team sent him to the Charlotte Knights, their Triple-A affiliate, so he could work toward securing a regular spot on the major league roster.

Key Teammates: Astros’ Rotation and Outfield

Julks really got a boost from playing with elite teammates in one of baseball’s top organizations.

He shared the outfield with stars like Yordan Alvarez and the steady veteran Michael Brantley. Their mentorship probably shaped his approach more than most people realize.

The Astros kept rolling out a powerful pitching rotation during Julks’ time with the team.