Korey Lee – Chicago White Sox Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Korey Bryan Lee, born July 25, 1998, in Escondido, California, is carving out his place as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox. He kicked off his pro career after the Houston Astros picked him in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of California.

Lee worked his way through the minors and made his MLB debut on July 1, 2022. It took a lot of hustle, but he finally broke through.

Korey Lee currently plays under a one-year, $771,000 contract with the Chicago White Sox, which includes a guaranteed amount of $771,000 and represents his average annual salary as well. His estimated net worth sits at about $1,869,226, mostly reflecting what he’s earned so far as a young pro. At 26, his financial outlook keeps trending up as he tries to cement his spot in the big leagues.

Lee’s journey as an everyday MLB catcher is still unfolding. His first-round draft status and defensive chops behind the plate give him real upside.

He made a big move when the Astros traded him to the White Sox. Now, he’s trying to carve out a bigger role and boost his value over the next few seasons.

Early Life and Education

Korey Bryan Lee started his baseball journey in Escondido, California, where he was born on July 25, 1998.

Those early years in Southern California really set the stage for his future in baseball.

Family Background

Korey Lee grew up in a supportive family in SoCal. There’s not much public info about his immediate family, but it’s clear they played a big part in his athletic development.

The San Diego area is loaded with baseball culture, so Lee had a great environment to chase his pro dreams.

Growing up in Escondido, right in San Diego County, put him in a region that’s produced quite a few pro ballplayers. That’s gotta help a young kid get into the game and develop some skills.

Education and Childhood Interests

Lee went to Vista High School in Vista, California, where he started to stand out as a baseball prospect. He showed off some serious athletic ability during those years.

He really made a name for himself with his catching and hitting. That set him apart from a lot of other players his age.

After high school, Lee chose to attend the University of California, Berkeley. He kept working on his game as a catcher and balanced it with his studies.

His time at Cal turned out to be huge for his development. In his final season in 2019, Lee took a big leap forward.

That performance caught the attention of MLB scouts and led to the Astros picking him 32nd overall in the 2019 MLB Draft. That’s when his pro journey really got rolling.

Baseball Career Highlights

Korey Lee’s pro baseball career has already hit some cool milestones since the 2019 draft. He’s gone from college standout to big-league catcher, with some interesting career moves along the way.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

The Houston Astros drafted Korey Lee in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Cal. He signed for $1.75 million and started his pro career with the Tri-City ValleyCats in the New York–Penn League.

Lee started grinding through the Astros’ minor league system. The 2020 season got weird with the pandemic, but he kept working on his game both at the plate and behind it.

He finally got the call and made his MLB debut on July 1, 2022 with Houston. That moment was the payoff for a lot of hard work.

Notable Achievements

Lee’s still early in his MLB career, but you can see why he went in the first round. His defense behind the plate—especially his arm and game-calling—stands out.

During his time with Houston, Lee picked up experience on a team with championship expectations. He learned from veteran catchers and worked with some great pitchers, which has to help his development.

His early MLB stats show he’s still adjusting to big-league pitching, but his defensive progress has given him a solid reputation. Back in the minors, he showed off some power and strong defense too.

Trade History

After starting out with the Astros, Lee got traded—a big moment in any player’s career. That move gave him a fresh start and new opportunities.

He ended up with the Chicago White Sox, where he’s still working to establish himself as a big-league catcher. The new environment brought different coaches and maybe a better shot at regular playing time.

His current White Sox contract is worth $771,000 for one year. With Chicago in a different spot than Houston, Lee’s had chances to show what he can do.

Korey Lee’s Contracts and Salary

Korey Lee’s financial journey in MLB has followed his growth as a pro catcher. His pay has steadily gone up since the Astros drafted him in 2019.

Rookie Contract Details

Lee started his pro career when the Astros picked him in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. That draft slot came with a pretty solid signing bonus as part of his rookie contract.

He made his MLB debut on July 1, 2022, with Houston, which kicked in the standard pre-arbitration salary for young players.

During his time with the Astros, Lee’s net worth grew to about $1.87 million. That shows how much teams value his catching skills and potential.

Salary Progression Over the Years

After his trade to the White Sox, Lee’s salary bumped up as he kept working toward a regular MLB role. For the 2023-2024 season, Lee signed a one-year deal worth $771,000 with Chicago.

That contract is pretty standard for a young catcher still proving himself. The $771,000 is fully guaranteed, so Lee’s got some financial security while he keeps developing.

Catcher is a premium defensive position, and that definitely affects his value on the payroll. If he can add more offense to his game, his salary could jump a lot in future contracts.

Right now, Lee is a pretty budget-friendly player for the White Sox compared to older veterans.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Korey Lee’s built up some early financial success through his contracts and a few endorsement opportunities, though nothing huge yet.

Estimated Net Worth

As of May 2025, Lee’s net worth is estimated at $1,869,226. That’s mostly from what he’s earned since getting drafted by the Astros in 2019.

His current White Sox contract is worth $771,000 for one year, which is his base salary for 2025. By MLB standards, that’s not a lot, but for a young player, it’s solid.

If Lee lands a long-term deal down the road, his net worth could rise fast. He’s got the potential for a bigger payday if he keeps developing.

Major Endorsement Deals

Lee hasn’t picked up any big national endorsement deals yet, which isn’t surprising for a player just starting out. Most of those go to established stars.

He might see some local endorsement chances in Chicago if he sticks with the White Sox and keeps improving. Regional brands sometimes team up with young, promising players.

Baseball equipment companies might be interested in working with Lee, especially since he’s a catcher. That’s usually where early endorsement deals start.

As his following grows, social media sponsorships could open up more income streams.

Personal Life and Public Image

Off the field, Korey Lee keeps things pretty private but still finds ways to give back and build meaningful relationships.

Engagement and Relationships

Korey Lee, born in Escondido, California, doesn’t put his personal life out there much. He’s not one to post about dating or relationships.

Back at the University of California, Lee formed close bonds with teammates and coaches. Those relationships have stuck with him into his pro career.

His family has been a steady support throughout his baseball journey. You’ll sometimes spot them at his games, especially during big moments like his MLB debut and his move to the White Sox.

Philanthropy and Off-Field Activities

Lee’s taken part in a few community initiatives organized by his teams. He’s still early in his career, so his philanthropic work is just getting started.

In the offseason, Lee helps out at youth baseball clinics, especially with young catchers. He shares tips and stories from his own experience, which is pretty cool for local kids.

When he’s not playing, Lee enjoys getting outside—fishing and hiking help him unwind from the grind of pro baseball. Teammates say he’s dedicated and has a strong work ethic, both on and off the field.

He keeps his social media pretty low-key, mostly posting about baseball rather than his private life.

Related Interests and Trivia

Korey Lee’s interests go beyond baseball, and he’s got some cool connections to football and a few unique personal facts.

NFL and College Football Connections

Even though Lee’s a baseball guy, he’s got close ties to football. His father Bryan Lee played college football at University of Pacific, so Korey grew up around the sport.

That football background probably helped his athleticism as a catcher. Lee’s a big NFL fan and often posts about California teams on social media.

During the offseason, he’s been seen at NFL games, just soaking it all in. At Cal Berkeley, Lee made friends with football players, and he’s kept those connections even as a pro.

Other Notable Facts

Lee grew up in Escondido, California, born on July 25, 1998. He keeps close ties to his hometown.

He often heads back during the off-season and jumps in to work with youth baseball programs. You’ll still spot him around local fields, giving back.

The Astros picked him 32nd overall in 2019, which caught some baseball analysts off guard. Lee didn’t show up on most top prospect lists.

Honestly, Houston’s front office must’ve seen something others didn’t. They clearly believed in his defensive skills and raw potential.

Lee takes his preparation seriously. Before games, he dives into studying opposing batters.

Teammates mention how detailed he gets with his game plans. That mindset has helped him grow as a defensive catcher, especially since he switched to the position not that long ago.