JP Sears – Athletics Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

JP Sears has carved out a spot for himself in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher with a lot of upside. At 28, he’s pitching for the Oakland Athletics and making a case as a valuable part of their rotation.

JP Sears pulls in an annual salary of $720,000, and most recent estimates put his net worth at about $1.2 million.

It’s easy to mix him up with the comedian JP Sears, but this JP makes his living throwing fastballs, not jokes. Jonathan Patrick Sears, the athlete, has worked his way up the professional ladder since draft day. His current contract shows he’s still in those early, team-controlled years—waiting for the big payday that comes with free agency.

Baseball fans might want to pay attention to Sears as he sharpens his pitch selection and increases his value. With his current salary of $720,000, the Athletics get a reliable, cost-effective starter—something they always seem to need. How he performs over the next couple of seasons will play a huge role in determining what he earns down the line.

JP Sears: Early Life and Career Beginnings

JP Sears’ journey to the majors started in South Carolina. His early years and education set the stage for his future as a professional ballplayer.

Childhood and Education

Born on February 19, 1996, in Sumter, South Carolina, JP Sears started playing baseball young. The small-town setting gave him room to dream big and chase a spot in the big leagues.

He pitched for his high school in South Carolina, quickly earning a reputation as one of the state’s top lefties. Coaches and scouts started to notice his talent pretty early on.

After graduation, Sears took his game to The Citadel in Charleston. Those college years helped him refine his pitching and gave him the foundation he’d need for pro ball.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Seattle Mariners drafted Sears, and that’s when his pro career officially kicked off. He didn’t go straight to the majors—there were plenty of stops along the way.

Sears moved through the minor leagues, working on his ERA and trying to build the kind of consistency teams want from their pitchers.

When the New York Yankees traded for him, Sears got a fresh start and new challenges. The Yankees’ farm system is notoriously tough, but he kept working on his game.

Eventually, Sears made his MLB debut and finally realized that childhood dream of pitching in the big leagues. His salary of $720,000 with the Athletics now shows he’s become a solid presence on a major league staff.

Professional Baseball Career

JP Sears has earned a reputation as a dependable left-handed pitcher. He’s put in the work, moving up from the minors and finding his place at baseball’s highest level.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

The Seattle Mariners picked Sears in the 11th round (333rd overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft out of The Citadel. He didn’t debut with them, though; the Yankees traded for him before he reached the majors.

Sears broke into MLB with the Yankees in 2022. He showed flashes as both a starter and reliever, displaying solid command and the knack for getting swings and misses.

The Yankees used him in a swingman role, giving him a taste of different situations and letting him learn on the job. His first MLB win was a big moment for him.

Playing for Multiple Teams

After his time with the Yankees, Sears landed with the Oakland Athletics in a bigger trade. Oakland gave him the chance to stick in the starting rotation.

He quickly became a regular for the A’s. The team’s rebuilding phase meant Sears got plenty of starts and the freedom to figure out major league hitters without the weight of a playoff chase.

His contract changed during this time, too. After playing for near the league minimum, Sears signed a one-year, $770,000 deal with Oakland for the 2025 season. That bump in pay matched his growing role.

Notable Performances and Stats

Sears has shown he can mix things up on the mound. His ERA has bounced around, but he’s improved as he’s gained experience.

Some of his best work has come against division rivals—he’s handled tough lineups more than once. His strikeout-to-walk ratio stands out, and he’s got a reputation for keeping his cool.

By 2025, Sears’ net worth had climbed past $1.19 million, thanks to his salary and maybe a few endorsements on the side. Metrics show he’s still developing, but he’s already a valuable part of the rotation.

Contract Details and Negotiations

JP Sears has dealt with the ins and outs of MLB contracts since he first broke in. His deals with teams have changed as his career’s progressed and as the league’s economics shift.

Initial MLB Contract Information

JP Sears got his start with the Yankees, who selected his contract on November 19, 2021. That move officially brought him into the MLB contract world.

Once the Athletics picked him up, Sears stayed on the typical pre-arbitration, team-friendly deal. In 2022, he earned about $700,000, which is right in line with what most early-career players get.

During this period, teams held most of the financial leverage. Sears, like other young players, didn’t have much room to negotiate.

Recent Contract Developments

In 2023, Sears got a small raise and re-signed with Oakland for $720,000. It’s a standard bump for pre-arbitration guys.

His latest contract keeps that trend going. Spotrac reports that Sears signed a 1-year, $770,000 contract with the A’s for this season, and the whole thing is guaranteed. That’s his average annual salary, too.

Looking down the road, Sears’ contract situation will look a lot different as he gets closer to arbitration. 2025 could be a turning point—if he keeps performing, he could be in line for a much bigger paycheck.

Revenue-Sharing and Payroll Context

You have to look at Sears’ contract in the context of the Athletics’ financial approach. Oakland usually runs one of the league’s lowest payrolls and benefits from MLB’s revenue-sharing system.

The A’s regularly report operating losses, which affects how they handle player contracts. They tend to focus on affordable players, especially pitchers who can deliver without breaking the bank.

MLB’s collective bargaining agreement sets the rules for how teams like Oakland handle payroll decisions. For Sears and players like him, that means their early-career earnings stay well below what they might fetch on the open market.

That’s why Sears’ salary is still pretty modest, even though he’s become a key piece of the pitching staff. It’s all part of the A’s strategy under the league’s current economic setup.

JP Sears Net Worth and Financial Overview

JP Sears has built up his finances through his time in pro baseball, mainly with the Oakland Athletics. His income comes from his MLB salary, maybe some endorsements, and other baseball-related opportunities.

Sources of Income

Sears’ main source of income is his baseball salary. As of 2025, he earns $770,000 with the A’s. That’s a step up from his previous deal, and it shows his growing value in MLB.

His baseball earnings break down like this:

• Base salary
• Performance bonuses (if he hits certain marks)
• Playoff shares (if the team gets there)
• Appearance fees

He’s not making superstar money, but for a developing pitcher, it’s a solid paycheck.

Endorsements and Investments

Sears isn’t a household name, so he doesn’t have the big endorsement deals that some stars land. Still, most players at his level pick up smaller deals with:

• Baseball gear companies
• Athletic apparel brands
• Local businesses in the team’s city

On the investment side, Sears probably works with advisors to manage his money. Like a lot of athletes, he might invest in:

1. Real estate
2. Stocks or mutual funds
3. Small businesses

There aren’t public details about his portfolio, but financial planning matters for any pro athlete.

Financial Growth Over Time

Sears’ net worth has steadily increased since he made it to MLB. Reports estimate his net worth somewhere between $1-5 million, with a more specific figure at $1,195,372.

His financial journey includes:

• Early minor league contracts with low pay
• The MLB minimum salary after his call-up
• His current $770,000 deal
• Projected earnings if he keeps improving

If Sears continues to develop, he could see a big jump in earnings beyond 2025. Most MLB players earn the most during their prime years, and Sears is getting close to that window.

MLB contracts usually have built-in pay increases as players gain service time, so Sears stands to benefit as he racks up more seasons.

Off-Field Activities and Personal Life

Away from the field, JP Sears keeps busy with media, community service, and personal interests. He spends a good chunk of his offseason in Las Vegas, which he now calls home.

Media Appearances and TV Features

As his MLB career has grown, Sears has started to pop up more in the media. He’s not a regular on national broadcasts, but he’s shown up on local Oakland sports programs since joining the A’s.

During the 2023-24 offseason, he made appearances on regional sports networks, talking about his pitching development.

Local broadcasters like to tell the story of how he went from an 11th-round pick to a major league starter. Unlike the comedian JP Sears, who’s all over YouTube, the pitcher keeps his social media mostly baseball-focused and pretty low-key.

His standout TV moment came after a strong game against the Astros in 2023. Postgame interviews highlighted his thoughtful approach to pitching.

Community Involvement

Sears has gotten involved with community work, even as he’s still making a name for himself in the majors. In Oakland, he’s jumped into the A’s community programs, including youth baseball clinics where he helps young pitchers.

Back home in Sumter, South Carolina, he volunteered at food drives during the 2023 offseason. His approach to community service is humble and fits his professional style.

While some players catch flak for not giving back, Sears has built a positive reputation. He’s even talked about wanting to do more charity work as his career continues, especially with programs that help underprivileged kids get into baseball.

Personal Interests and Las Vegas Connections

Sears lives in Las Vegas during the offseason. Plenty of pro athletes have picked the city for themselves, so he fits right in.

He first got to know Las Vegas back in his minor league days. The city’s year-round training weather and solid facilities really drew him in.

Sears is a big NBA fan. You’ll often catch him at Las Vegas Summer League games, and he doesn’t miss a Lakers matchup when they roll through town.

His love for basketball doesn’t stop at watching, either. He jumps into pickup games during the offseason to keep his cardio up—honestly, who wouldn’t if they had the chance?

Sears likes to keep his personal life private. He tinkers with his social media settings to make sure there’s a clear line between his public and private worlds.

Unlike some athletes who end up in messy public fights with teams over contracts, Sears just doesn’t bring the drama. He’s managed a smooth, straightforward relationship with management all the way through his career.