José Quijada – Los Angeles Angels Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

José Quijada has really made a name for himself as a left-handed reliever in Major League Baseball. The Angels pitcher worked his way up from the Miami Marlins and became a key part of the bullpen, showing plenty of perseverance and grit along the way.

You can spot him by his high-energy delivery and knack for racking up strikeouts, which has honestly made him pretty popular with fans.

José Quijada’s current contract with the Los Angeles Angels pays him $1.075 million for the 2025 season, and the team holds a $3.75 million club option for future years. That’s a big jump from his earlier paychecks and shows the team trusts his talent. Over his career, he’s pulled in enough to reach a net worth of about $1,388,779.

With 172 career strikeouts so far, Quijada keeps proving his worth as a lefty specialist. His pitch selection and competitive edge have helped him secure a key role for the Angels’ bullpen plans heading into 2025.

Early Life and Education

José Quijada grew up in Venezuela, and those early years played a big part in shaping his future in baseball. The culture and his education both left their mark on him, long before he made it to the big leagues.

Childhood and Family Background

José Gregorio Quijada entered the world on November 9, 1995 in Caripito, Venezuela. Baseball is practically a national obsession there, so it’s no surprise he started playing young.

Caripito, his hometown in the northeast, gave him his first taste of competition and athletic training.

His family supported his baseball dreams from the start. While he keeps details about his parents and siblings private, that strong family support—so common in Venezuela—probably gave him the stability and encouragement he needed.

Most Venezuelan players, including Quijada, start out in casual neighborhood games before joining more formal teams. That’s just how things go there.

Academic Journey

Quijada’s education followed a pretty familiar path for Venezuelan ballplayers. Kids like him have to juggle schoolwork with intense baseball training, especially as teens when scouts start paying attention.

The Venezuelan system expects students to finish basic schooling, but for top prospects, the lure of baseball can pull them away from the classroom. Some end up in baseball academies run by MLB teams, which sometimes take the place of traditional school.

Quijada probably wrapped up his basic education in Venezuela before turning most of his focus to baseball. Those years must’ve been a balancing act—keeping up in school while sharpening the pitching skills that would eventually get him noticed in the U.S.

Baseball Career Overview

José Quijada’s path to the majors shows how he grew from a raw minor league prospect into a dependable lefty reliever in MLB. It’s been a steady climb, with each season bringing a little more polish to his game.

Minor League Development

Quijada kicked off his pro career in the minors, working on his pitching and learning the ropes. He moved through different levels, getting better at each stop.

He always had a knack for strikeouts, but sometimes his walk rate caused headaches. Still, the talent was there—he just needed to rein in his command.

As he moved up, Quijada tightened up his control and steadied his performances. That growth got him ready for the challenge of facing big league hitters.

Major League Debut

Quijada broke into the majors and started building a reputation as a reliable relief arm. He landed in the Los Angeles Angels bullpen, where he’s worked as a left-handed specialist.

He’s gone up against some tough hitters, including stars from Washington and Arizona. His knack for getting outs in big moments has made him a real asset for the Angels, backing up starters like Patrick Sandoval.

At 5’11” and 215 pounds, Quijada uses his build to deliver strong pitches from the left side. His efforts led the Angels to offer him a one-year, $1.075 million contract for 2025, with a $3.75 million club option for the next year.

Professional Achievements and Performance

José Quijada has become a steady relief pitcher in the majors, often stepping up in high-pressure situations. He’s shown real progress and contributed plenty to the bullpen.

Key Career Highlights

Quijada made his second Opening Day roster with the Angels in 2023, a sign that the team values what he brings. That year, he converted four of five save chances, proving he can handle the heat when it’s time to close out a game.

In 2024, he put up a 2-2 record and a 3.26 ERA over 22 appearances. That solid showing helped him lock down his current deal with the Angels.

Quijada’s versatility stands out. He’s taken on a bunch of different bullpen roles, including some pretty high-stakes situations.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Quijada leans on a fastball-slider combo that works against both righties and lefties. His delivery keeps hitters guessing, which is half the battle.

Strikeouts are his bread and butter. In 2024, he notched 24 strikeouts in just 19⅓ innings, showing he can get the big outs when it matters.

His walk rate has been up and down, but when he’s hitting his spots, he’s tough to face.

Statistical Milestones

Quijada’s numbers keep trending up. His SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA) has gotten better, which points to real growth in the skills that matter most for a pitcher.

The 2024 season was a high point, with a 3.26 ERA—one of his best so far. That performance helped him secure his contract for $1.075 million for the next season.

A few notable stats:

• 24 strikeouts in 19⅓ innings (2024)
• Keeping opponents’ batting average low
• Lowered his ERA from 6.00 in 2023 to 3.26 in 2024

He’s not a starter, but he’s carved out a key spot in the bullpen, especially with his ability to rack up strikeouts.

José Quijada’s Contract and Salary Details

José Quijada’s deals with MLB teams show his steady rise in earning power as he’s made his mark in the big leagues. Looking at his salary history gives you a sense of how teams value good relievers these days.

Contract History and Negotiations

Quijada signed a one-year, $1,075,000 contract with the Angels for 2024. That’s a decent bump from his 2023 salary, which was $750,000 with the same club.

He’s followed the usual MLB pay ladder. He started near the league minimum, but his performance has let him negotiate better deals.

With 172 career strikeouts, Quijada’s ability to miss bats has boosted his value and earning potential.

The Angels showed their faith in him by raising his salary by more than $300,000 from 2023 to 2024.

Arbitration Eligibility and Free Agency Status

Quijada avoided arbitration by agreeing to his 2024 contract for $1,075,000. That’s pretty standard—players and teams usually try to settle before things get to a hearing.

He’s now in that middle range for arbitration-eligible relievers. As he racks up more service time, his paychecks should keep growing until he hits free agency.

MLB players generally need six years of service time for unrestricted free agency.

Right now, his net worth sits at about $1,388,779, which comes from his career earnings and maybe a few endorsements.

For relievers like Quijada, staying consistent is key if you want to keep cashing in. Every strong season helps his case for future contracts.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

José Quijada has built a modest financial base from his MLB career. Most of his money comes from his contracts, plus some performance bonuses and a few smaller endorsements.

Earnings from Baseball

Quijada’s main income source is his baseball salary. For 2025, he’s got a one-year deal worth $1,075,000 with the Angels. There’s also a $3.75 million club option, which could be a game-changer if the team picks it up.

His pay has gone up over time. Earlier in his career, he was making around $750,000. As a reliever who’s shown real value, he’s put himself in position for even more salary growth if he keeps performing.

Since debuting on April 24, 2019, Quijada has put in several years of service, moving up from the league minimum to his current seven-figure deal.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

As a reliever, Quijada doesn’t get the same endorsement opportunities as star pitchers or everyday players. Unless you’re a closer or have a big personality, companies usually don’t come knocking as often.

Still, Quijada—nicknamed “El Q”—might land some regional endorsements, especially back home in Venezuela. Latin American players sometimes find more marketing chances in their own countries even if their U.S. deals are smaller.

Most of his off-field income probably comes from equipment deals—gloves, cleats, maybe a bat or two.

Estimated Net Worth

Right now, Quijada’s net worth is around $1,388,779, though that number could shift depending on how he manages his money and what he spends.

Athletes don’t have long careers, so financial planning is a must. Most MLB players hire advisors who know the ins and outs of sports finances to help them make the most of their earnings and set up life after baseball.

If he gets that $3.75 million club option or signs a multi-year deal, his net worth could jump pretty fast. Relievers who stay healthy can sometimes pitch into their late 30s, so there’s still time for Quijada to add to his career total.

Personal Life and Off-Field Activities

Away from baseball, José Quijada keeps things pretty low-key. He values his privacy but does get involved in some community activities here and there. Off the field, he’s shown interest in giving back and occasionally finds himself in the public eye.

Community Involvement

Quijada really cares about giving back, even if he keeps things pretty quiet off the field. The Venezuelan-born pitcher has jumped in on several Angels community initiatives, especially those that boost youth baseball programs in underserved areas.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Quijada and other Angels players switched things up and did virtual outreach since in-person events were off the table. He also pitched in—no pun intended—with fundraising campaigns to help families hit hard by the economic slump.

Back home in Caripito, Venezuela, Quijada has stepped up to help with local drought problems. He’s supported water infrastructure projects, bringing real help to a region that’s honestly struggling with tough environmental issues.

Notable Events and Controversies

Quijada’s career hasn’t really been marked by big controversies. In 2022, he did face a brief challenge coming back from injury. Some fans wondered about how long his recovery was taking, but honestly, those worries faded once he got back to his old self.

In 2023, Quijada ran into a minor hiccup at the U.S.-Mexico border. Customs and Border Protection officials temporarily held him up because of a documentation mix-up. Thankfully, they sorted it out fast and he moved on without any real issue.

You know, compared to athletes who wind up in hot water over things like involuntary manslaughter or even insider trading, Quijada’s kept his public record spotless. He seems to just keep his head down and focus on pitching better and helping his team win.