Drew Thorpe is quickly turning heads as one of the most promising young pitchers in Major League Baseball since his 2022 draft. Born on October 1, 2000, in Washington, Utah, this right-hander is now making a name for himself with the Chicago White Sox after the New York Yankees picked him up initially. Thorpe just signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox worth $764,750, all of it guaranteed—a pretty big step for someone still carving out their pro career.
At just 24, Thorpe’s rise to the majors has been pretty quick and, honestly, pretty impressive. He signed with the Yankees in July 2022, landing a signing bonus of $1,187,600, but the Yankees later traded him to the White Sox. Once the Chicago White Sox selected his contract from the Birmingham Barons in March 2024, he jumped to the major league roster.
Nobody’s officially published Thorpe’s net worth yet, but he’s just getting started and has plenty of room to grow. Baseball analysts have already taken notice, praising his technical skills and how calm he looks on the mound. As an American professional baseball pitcher for the White Sox, Thorpe is part of a new wave of MLB talent trying to make their mark at the top level.
Early Life and Background
Drew Thorpe was born on October 1, 2000, in Washington, Utah.
His early years revolved around sports and academics, both of which shaped his path to pro baseball.
Family and Education
Andrew Robert Thorpe grew up in a supportive family in southern Utah.
While he keeps details about his parents and siblings mostly private, it’s clear their support mattered a lot in his athletic journey.
He attended Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University), where he balanced his studies and baseball.
At Cal Poly, Thorpe stood out as a pitcher and kept up with his college work.
The university’s baseball program gave him the structure he needed to sharpen his skills.
His time at Cal Poly laid the groundwork for his pro career and set him up for the 2022 MLB Draft.
Influences and Development
Thorpe’s growth as a pitcher came from a mix of natural talent and a serious training routine.
He stood out early, but his drive and dedication made him different from other young players.
Local coaches in Utah spotted his potential and helped him fine-tune his pitching mechanics.
These early mentors really shaped his unique pitching style.
Thorpe dove into pitching research and always looked for ways to get better—something that still defines his approach.
By the time he started college ball at Cal Poly, Thorpe already had an impressive set of pitches.
His coaches at Cal Poly helped him polish those skills even more.
He became the second-round draft pick (61st overall) for the New York Yankees in 2022.
Amateur Baseball Career
Drew Thorpe built his baseball foundation over years of playing at youth and college levels.
His journey from local fields to a top college pitcher really shows how far he’s come.
Youth and High School Achievements
Thorpe started playing baseball in his hometown, working on his pitching from a young age.
At San Clemente High School in California, he became a standout pitcher with great command.
During high school, he showed off his control and a growing set of pitches that caught the attention of college scouts.
His senior year stood out—he dominated with a low ERA and lots of strikeouts.
Scouts and analysts started to see him as a real pro prospect, noting his advanced mechanics and baseball smarts.
Even though pro teams showed interest, Thorpe chose college baseball to keep growing and get his degree.
Collegiate Performance and Honors
Thorpe went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and quickly became one of the team’s top pitchers.
He kept getting better and more dominant on the mound each year.
By his sophomore season, people across college baseball started noticing him.
In his junior year, Thorpe developed into one of the most impressive pitchers in the college game.
He picked up multiple honors, including All-Conference recognition.
Analysts often highlighted his command and his ability to mix pitches.
His stats told the story—strikeouts went up, ERA went down.
Thorpe’s college career set him up as a top prospect for the MLB Draft, paving the way for his pro debut.
Professional Career Overview
Drew Thorpe’s path has taken him from college standout to promising MLB pitcher with the Chicago White Sox.
He’s already moved between three organizations and posted some impressive minor league numbers.
Draft and Signing Process
The New York Yankees picked Thorpe in the second round (61st overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Cal Poly.
He signed with the Yankees on July 25, 2022, and got a signing bonus of $1,187,600.
Thorpe didn’t stay with the Yankees for long.
He became a big part of a major trade when the Yankees sent him to the San Diego Padres.
The Padres then included Thorpe in a trade with the White Sox to get star pitcher Dylan Cease.
That deal also involved outfielder James Wood, showing just how much teams valued Thorpe as a prospect.
The Padres saw him as a key piece to land proven MLB talent.
Notable Teams and Affiliations
Thorpe’s pro journey has already included a few organizations.
He started in the Yankees’ farm system, moved to the Padres briefly, and then landed with the Chicago White Sox.
In the White Sox system, Thorpe moved up quickly, spending time with the Birmingham Barons (Double-A) before his big promotion.
Strong minor league performances led the White Sox to select his contract on June 11, 2024, officially making him a major leaguer.
Coming from Washington, Utah, Thorpe has impressed at every stop, showing the poise and control that made him such a valued prospect.
His fast climb through the minors proved he’s ready for big-league action.
Key Performances and Highlights
Thorpe’s minor league stats really turned heads.
He showed command and the ability to get hitters to swing and miss at every level.
Less than two years after being drafted, he made his MLB debut on June 11, 2024.
After that call-up, Thorpe signed a one-year, $764,750 contract with the White Sox, all guaranteed at the league minimum.
His pitching mix keeps hitters guessing—he commands several pitches well.
It’s pretty wild to think he was born in 2000 and is already in the majors.
White Sox management seems genuinely confident that Thorpe can become a mainstay in their rotation.
Contract Details and Financial Journey
Drew Thorpe’s career has already included some notable contract moves that reflect his growing value.
His financial journey mirrors what you’d expect for a rising young pitcher in the big leagues.
Initial Contract Terms
Thorpe’s pro financial story began when he signed his first contract with the Yankees on July 25, 2022.
As a second-round pick from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he locked in a $1,187,600 signing bonus.
That contract followed standard rookie terms and put him under team control for several years.
The Yankees clearly believed in his potential as a pitcher.
His early contract sent him to the minors, where he could sharpen his skills and start earning a pro paycheck.
Thorpe’s rookie deal was just the first step, but analysts already saw a lot of upside—especially with his changeup and command.
Subsequent Negotiations and Extensions
Thorpe’s career shifted when he became part of a big trade.
After showing promise in the Yankees system, he ended up with the White Sox, changing his contract situation.
The White Sox selected Thorpe’s contract from the Birmingham Barons in early 2024, moving him to their 40-man roster.
That promotion came with a pay bump—he signed a one-year contract worth $764,750, all guaranteed.
This move showed the White Sox believe in his development and want him in their major league plans.
From a business perspective, the White Sox see Thorpe as part of their rebuilding effort, so the investment makes sense.
Free Agency and Future Prospects
Thorpe won’t hit free agency for a while.
MLB rules usually require six years of major league service before a player can test the open market.
His current contract keeps him under team control for multiple arbitration years.
As a key part of the White Sox rebuild, Thorpe’s future pay will depend on how he performs.
If he becomes a reliable starter, he’ll get significant raises through arbitration.
Some industry folks think Thorpe could land a big multi-year extension before he ever reaches free agency—if he proves himself as a core rotation guy.
No doubt, the team’s front office is already thinking about his potential earnings as part of their long-term planning.
Net Worth, Endorsements, and Business Ventures
Drew Thorpe’s financial picture is still pretty modest compared to big-league veterans, but his upside is obvious.
Most of his earnings come from his baseball contracts right now, though endorsement and investment opportunities are starting to pop up.
Current Estimated Net Worth
Thorpe’s net worth mostly comes from his pro baseball earnings.
He got a signing bonus of $1,187,600 from the Yankees in July 2022.
His financial base grew when he joined the White Sox, signing a one-year deal for $764,750.
Since he’s still new to the majors, Thorpe’s net worth probably sits in the $1-2 million range.
That estimate takes into account his signing bonus, salary, and minor league pay, minus taxes and fees.
His financial team probably uses the usual athlete strategies—tax planning, cash flow management, the basics—to help him make the most of these critical early years.
Major Endorsements and Sponsorships
Thorpe’s endorsement game is still developing.
As a rising pitcher with the Chicago White Sox, he hasn’t landed the big national deals that MLB stars get.
Right now, his endorsements focus on:
- Local Chicago brands and businesses
- Baseball equipment companies (think gloves and pitching gear)
- Modest social media partnerships
Unlike established names like Juan Soto, who rake in millions from endorsements, Thorpe is still building his sponsorship profile.
His agency is probably taking a careful approach, looking for partnerships that fit his image as an up-and-coming talent.
Investments and Entrepreneurial Efforts
Thorpe hasn’t shared any details about his investments or business ventures. Honestly, like a lot of young MLB players, he seems pretty focused on baseball right now, not chasing after a bunch of side hustles.
Most financial advisors suggest that early-career athletes stick with safer investments. Stuff like real estate in steady markets, diversified stock portfolios, and maybe some high-yield savings or retirement accounts.
At this point, Thorpe probably lets a pro handle his finances. That way, he can keep his attention on the game and let his wealth build over time.
Down the road, who knows—if he keeps rising in MLB, he might get into joint ventures, tech deals, or even branded merch. The possibilities could open up as his career takes off.
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