Joey Estes – Athletics Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Joey Estes is a young pitcher who’s starting to leave his mark in professional baseball.

Born on October 8, 2001, in Lancaster, California, Estes got drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 16th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The Braves later traded him to the Oakland Athletics in March 2022.

Right now, the right-handed pitcher earns a salary of $760,000 on his one-year contract with the Athletics, and that’s fully guaranteed.

Estes stands 6’2″ and weighs 190 pounds. He’s shown real promise as he moved up through the minor leagues.

His net worth is estimated at $500,000. That could climb quite a bit if he keeps developing at this pace.

Oakland picked up his contract on September 20, 2023, and that was a big moment for him.

The Palmdale, California native went to Paraclete High School before jumping into pro ball.

Oakland saw something in him, watching him go from a 16th-round pick to making the 40-man roster. He keeps working on his pitching arsenal, and more analysts are starting to notice his progress.

Early Life and Background

Joey Estes started his baseball journey in Southern California.

His family gave him a lot of support, and that really set the stage for his future in Major League Baseball.

Family and Childhood

Joseph Lee Estes was born on October 8, 2001 in Palmdale, California.

He grew up in a family that encouraged his love for baseball from a young age.

His parents noticed his athletic ability early on and made sure he could join youth sports programs.

People in the local baseball community still mention how much his family helped him develop.

Joey spent tons of hours at local fields, working on his pitching.

By his early teens, he already stood out, showing better control and velocity than most kids his age.

Hometown and Upbringing

Estes grew up in the Lancaster/Palmdale area of California’s Antelope Valley, about 60 miles north of Los Angeles.

This region has produced a few notable athletes, so he faced good competition growing up.

He attended Paraclete High School, where he quickly became a standout pitcher.

That small Catholic school in Lancaster was where Joey really started to turn heads as a legit pro prospect.

The Antelope Valley’s dry climate and open spaces shaped him physically and gave him a strong work ethic.

Coaches from Paraclete remember him as determined—he’d show up early and stay late at practice.

He didn’t move to a big baseball city for training; instead, he developed his skills right at home.

Professional Baseball Career

Joey Estes has carved out a promising path in pro baseball since the Atlanta Braves drafted him in 2019.

He developed in the minors and eventually landed with the Oakland Athletics, where he’s started to show real potential as a starting pitcher.

Debut and Development

The Atlanta Braves picked Estes in the 16th round (487th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Paraclete High School.

He wasted no time making an impression in the Braves’ farm system, working on a solid mix of pitches.

Then came the trade to the Oakland Athletics as part of a package deal. That move put him on a quicker path to the majors, especially since the A’s tend to give young pitchers chances early.

Estes moved up the minor league ladder step by step, working on his command and adding to his pitch selection.

At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, he’s got the kind of frame teams want in a starting pitcher.

Performance and Achievements

Estes has shown a knack for striking out hitters and improving his command as he’s moved through the minors.

His performances have made him one of the more talked-about arms in the Athletics’ farm system.

In 2023, Estes improved his ERA and WHIP, and that got scouts buzzing about his chances for a big league debut.

He’s particularly good at getting ground balls—something scouts love to see.

When he’s been put in tough spots, Estes has managed to stay composed, which is pretty impressive for his age.

That mental toughness, along with his physical skills, has sped up his journey to the majors.

Oakland put him on the Athletics’ 40-man roster, a clear sign they believe he can help their pitching staff soon.

Key ERA Milestones

Estes has hit some solid ERA (Earned Run Average) milestones as he’s moved up in the minors.

He’s gotten better at limiting runs at each level, showing he can adjust and develop.

In his first pro season, he put up pretty good numbers for a teenager straight out of high school.

As he climbed up, his ERA kept dropping, which says a lot about how he’s learning to pitch smarter.

He had a stretch in the middle of one season where he kept his ERA under 3.00 over several starts. That definitely caught the attention of the A’s.

His work with Oakland’s pitching coaches has paid off, especially in cutting down home runs and making his changeup more effective alongside his fastball and slider.

Joey Estes’ Contract Details

Joey Estes is currently on a pre-arbitration contract with the Oakland Athletics.

His financial terms reflect his status as a young player with plenty of room to grow—both on the field and in his bank account.

Current Contract Terms

Estes earns the MLB minimum salary while he’s still in his pre-arbitration period.

As of May 2025, he’s got around 0.154 years of service time, which is still a long way from the three years needed for arbitration eligibility.

His net worth sits at about $500,000, which makes sense for a player just breaking into the majors.

The Athletics called him up from the Las Vegas Aviators (Triple-A) and added him to their big league roster.

Here’s what his current deal looks like:

• League minimum salary
• Standard pre-arbitration contract terms
• No signing bonus
• Team control for a few more seasons

Negotiations and Renewals

Until Estes hits arbitration, the Athletics have most of the leverage when it comes to his contract.

Born in 2001, the young righty still has time to prove himself before he gets to the big contract talks.

How he performs will play a big part in what he earns down the road.

MLB’s collective bargaining agreement lays out pretty clear salary ranges for pre-arbitration players like Estes.

The A’s front office can renew his salary every year until he racks up enough service time.

Usually, contract extensions for pitchers in his spot come after a season or two of solid MLB work.

His agents need to balance his development with keeping things smooth with Oakland’s management for future negotiations.

Net Worth and Earnings

Joey Estes has built most of his net worth—about $500,000—through his baseball career so far.

His earnings are starting to pick up as he moves up in Major League Baseball.

Salary and Income Sources

Estes makes $760,000 a year with the Oakland Athletics.

That’s his main source of income right now.

The Atlanta Braves drafted him in the 16th round (487th overall) back in 2019.

Now that he’s on the A’s 40-man roster, Estes gets a few more perks besides his base salary:

• Per diem for travel
• Potential performance bonuses
• League minimum salary protections
• Health and pension benefits

His pay has jumped a lot since his minor league contracts, which were a lot lower than MLB minimum salaries.

Getting to the major league roster was a big financial step for him.

Investments and Estate

Details about Estes’ investments aren’t public, but most young pros start building a mix of investments once they reach this level.

Born in 2001, he’s still at the beginning of his wealth-building journey.

A lot of MLB players in his shoes invest in things like:

• Real estate
• Stocks
• Business ventures
• Endorsement deals

Estes probably owns some property—maybe even back in Palmdale, California, where he grew up.

As his career goes on, managing his estate will become more important for his financial future.

Potential Financial Challenges

Even with a promising salary, Estes faces the same financial challenges as many young athletes.

Baseball careers can be unpredictable, and that makes building long-term wealth tricky.

Injuries are the biggest risk. Estes hasn’t signed a big, multi-year deal yet, so his financial security isn’t locked in.

Other challenges include:

• Taxes: Pro athletes deal with complicated tax situations, sometimes paying in multiple states
• Short careers: The average MLB player only lasts about 5.6 years in the league
• Post-career life: Some players struggle financially after retirement if they don’t plan ahead

If Estes wants to make the most of his earnings, he’ll need to avoid overspending, bad investments, and financial mistakes that have tripped up plenty of athletes before him.

Personal Life and Off-Field Interests

Away from the field, Joey Estes tries to keep things balanced.

He values his family, stays involved in the community, and has a few interests that help him stay grounded—even as his MLB career takes off.

Family and Relationships

Estes is close with his family.

Born in Palmdale, California on October 8, 2001, he still feels connected to the Lancaster area.

His parents were a big part of his journey, backing him all the way from Paraclete High School to pro baseball.

He keeps his personal life pretty private and doesn’t share much about relationships.

In interviews, though, he’s talked about how important his support system is—friends and family who’ve stuck by him since the early days.

Unlike some athletes, Estes doesn’t post much about his private life on social media.

He seems to prefer letting his performance on the mound do the talking.

Community Involvement

Estes tries to give back, especially in Oakland, where he’s built a bond with fans during his time with the A’s.

He’s mentioned his appreciation for Oakland fans who cheer him on at home games.

He gets involved in youth baseball programs, especially in areas that don’t have as many resources.

Estes helps out at clinics, working with young pitchers to boost their skills and confidence.

He’s also supported education initiatives in Oakland and back home, promoting both sports and academics for kids.

During the offseason, Estes sets aside time for charity events and fundraisers that help children’s hospitals and youth sports groups.

Interests Outside Baseball

When he’s not playing baseball, Estes likes to get outside. He says outdoor activities help him stay fit and clear his head.

During the offseason, you’ll often find him hiking somewhere in California. He seems to love exploring the state’s wild and varied landscapes.

Lately, Estes has started digging into financial education and investment strategies. With his estimated net worth of $500,000 and a pro athlete’s salary, he knows he needs to make smart choices about his future.

Estes also turns to gaming when he wants to unwind. Sometimes he jumps into online matches with teammates, which honestly sounds like a pretty good way to keep friendships going outside the clubhouse.

Music matters a lot to him too, especially before games. He’s mentioned that he keeps certain playlists ready to help him focus before he takes the mound.