Matt Thaiss – Chicago White Sox Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Matt Thaiss has carved out a steady career in Major League Baseball since debuting with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019.

He signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs for 1 million dollars, a sign that teams see his value in a pretty competitive MLB market.

Thaiss’s versatility—he can play both first base and catcher—has made him a useful piece for several teams over the years.

Matt Thaiss has built up a net worth of about $3.4 million thanks to his years as a pro ballplayer.

He worked his way up through the minors before finally sticking in the majors, and his salary has gone up as he’s gained experience and contributed more.

Thaiss’s baseball journey has taken him to the Tigres del Licey and the Salt Lake Bees in Triple-A before he reached the big leagues.

His ability to handle multiple positions, mainly first base and catcher, has helped keep him around since teams love a guy who can fill in wherever.

As the 2025 season gets underway, Cubs fans are keeping an eye on Thaiss to see how he fits in—and, who knows, maybe he’ll earn another contract for the future.

Early Life and Background

Matt Thaiss started his baseball journey in Jackson, New Jersey.

Growing up there, he got the support and opportunities he needed to chase a career in Major League Baseball.

Family and Childhood

Matthew Kevin Thaiss was born May 6, 1995, in Jackson, New Jersey.

He’ll hit his 30th birthday in 2025, and honestly, it’s wild to think how far he’s come from those early days in the Garden State.

His family and hometown gave him the foundation to fall in love with baseball.

He played youth baseball in Jackson, where he first showed the skills that would get him noticed.

The community programs there became his first training grounds, especially behind the plate and at bat.

Jackson Township, out in Ocean County, offered the kind of suburban environment that’s perfect for youth sports.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Thaiss went to Jackson Memorial High School and made a name for himself as a standout player.

His high school performance caught the eye of college recruiters and set him up for the next step.

After graduating, he took his talents to the University of Virginia.

At Virginia, he sharpened his skills and turned into one of the top college prospects in the country.

He put together some impressive performances with the Cavaliers, and pro scouts definitely noticed.

Everything came together in 2016 when the Los Angeles Angels picked Thaiss 16th overall in the MLB Draft.

That draft position pretty much said it all—teams saw him as a legit difference-maker coming out of college.

Professional Baseball Career

Matt Thaiss’s pro career has been anything but static since the 2016 draft.

He’s bounced between positions and teams, showing adaptability and a stubborn persistence that’s kept him in the big leagues.

MLB Debut and Early Years

The Los Angeles Angels picked Thaiss in the first round (16th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft.

He made his major league debut on July 3, 2019, finally stepping onto the biggest stage.

The Angels drafted him as a catcher, but they moved him to first base in the minors.

That shift showed they believed in his bat and wanted to find a defensive spot for him.

His rookie season had its ups and downs as he tried to figure out big league pitching.

He hit his first career home run not long after debuting, giving fans a peek at his power.

Major League Teams and Notable Performances

Thaiss started out with the Angels and spent several seasons in their organization.

Eventually, he landed with the Chicago Cubs on a $1 million contract.

Most recently, he joined the Chicago White Sox, where he’s still plugging away.

Teams have valued his versatility, and he’s bounced around as needed.

He’s flashed some of the promise that made him a first-round pick, even if his batting average and OPS haven’t reached all-star levels.

Still, he’s delivered some timely hits and has kept working on his defense.

Position Changes and Adaptation

Thaiss’s defensive flexibility really stands out.

He started as a catcher in college, but he’s played first base, third base, and even gone back to catching in the majors.

The White Sox list him as a catcher now, so it’s kind of a full-circle moment.

He stands 5’11” and weighs in at 215 pounds, so he’s got the build for multiple spots.

He’s shown he’ll do what the team needs, and that attitude has kept him around.

Even when his bat has cooled off, his ability to play different positions has kept him on rosters.

Teams love that kind of flexibility in today’s game, where multi-position players are more valuable than ever.

Contracts and Earnings Overview

Matt Thaiss has moved through a few organizations and contract situations during his pro career.

He started with the Angels, then played for the Cubs, and now he’s with the White Sox.

Initial MLB Contracts

Thaiss began his pro career after getting drafted 16th overall by the Angels in 2016.

He landed a solid signing bonus as a first-rounder.

His early minor league deals reflected his status as a top prospect.

After debuting on July 3, 2019, he earned the league minimum while trying to establish himself.

During his Angels stint, he was under team control and made the standard pre-arbitration salaries for young players.

Recent Contract Details

In 2023, Thaiss signed a 1-year, $1,000,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs.

That was a big step up from what he’d been making.

The deal, worked out with Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, gave Thaiss his first seven-figure payday.

It showed the Cubs saw real value in what he could bring.

More recently, he joined the Chicago White Sox, where his salary is listed at $740,000.

All told, his career earnings have added up to an estimated net worth of $3,429,110.

His earnings reflect the typical path for a player working through different organizations and proving his worth as a versatile infielder and catcher.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Matt Thaiss has put together a respectable financial profile, with a current net worth of about $3.4 million.

Most of his money comes from baseball contracts, though things could change as his career keeps moving.

Salary Breakdown

Thaiss’s salary has definitely changed over the years.

Right now, he’s making $1 million with the Cubs on a one-year deal.

That’s up from his previous salary of $740,000.

His total net worth—about $3,429,110—comes from his pro career since being drafted in 2016.

Here’s how his contract path looks:

• Initial Angels contract after the draft
• Pre-arbitration years with a controlled salary
• Current Cubs contract: $1 million, fully guaranteed

Endorsements and Other Income

Thaiss hasn’t locked down any big national endorsement deals like the league’s superstars, but he’s had some regional marketing opportunities here and there.

As a former first-round pick who’s played for a few teams, he’s got some marketability, even if it’s pretty modest.

He’s from Jackson, NJ, and he’s used his east coast roots for some local appearances and endorsements, especially when he’s played nearby.

The White Sox catcher keeps a pretty low profile financially outside of baseball.

Most of his money—around 85-90%—comes straight from MLB contracts.

Endorsements make up maybe 5-10%, and the rest comes from investments and appearances.

Personal Life and Off-Field Interests

Off the field, Matt Thaiss keeps things balanced, focusing on family and giving back.

His interests and community work seem to reflect his values and where he came from.

Charitable Work and Causes

Thaiss has quietly supported several youth baseball programs since joining the majors.

He’s helped out with baseball clinics during his time with the Angels and continued that with the White Sox.

He likes to focus on giving underprivileged kids a shot at playing baseball.

During the off-season, he’ll sometimes head back to Jackson, New Jersey, to run youth baseball camps.

In 2023, he teamed up with a local food bank in Chicago to fight food insecurity, showing he cares about basic needs in the cities where he plays.

Community Engagement

Thaiss likes to connect with fans through team events.

He takes a hands-on, low-key approach to community work rather than chasing publicity.

With past teams, he visited children’s hospitals and joined the Angels’ community caravans.

These events let him meet young fans, especially those dealing with health challenges.

Since moving to the Chicago White Sox, he’s embraced their community efforts.

He’s especially active in supporting youth baseball programs in areas hit by land changes and urbanization.

He often meets with young players and shares advice about balancing sports and school, drawing on his own time at the University of Virginia.

Comparisons and Influences

You can get a better sense of Matt Thaiss’s career by looking at how he stacks up to his peers and considering the people who’ve influenced his approach to the game.

Comparison to Carson Kelly

Matt Thaiss and Carson Kelly have taken pretty different routes to the MLB catching scene.

Thaiss actually switched over to catching later on, while Kelly started out as a catcher early in his pro career.

When you look at defense, Kelly stands out as the more polished receiver. He posts better framing numbers and does a stronger job controlling the running game.

Honestly, that just shows Thaiss still has room to grow behind the plate.

Offensively, Thaiss hasn’t quite kept up with Kelly’s consistency at bat. Thaiss owns a career batting average of .208, while Kelly usually puts together steadier numbers year after year.

Their contracts tell a similar story. Thaiss signed for $1 million in 2025, but Kelly has landed bigger deals at the same point in his career.

Notable Peer and Coach Relationships

Over the course of his career, Thaiss worked closely with veteran catchers while he was with the Angels. Joe Maddon, the former Angels manager, really helped him out as he switched over to catching.

Current and former teammates often mention how eager Thaiss is to pick things up and change when needed. That attitude has earned him a lot of respect in the clubhouse, even though his offense hasn’t always impressed. People tend to point to that as a big reason he keeps getting shots at the big leagues.

Coaches keep bringing up his baseball smarts and how hard he works. When he joined the White Sox, folks there quickly noticed his leadership qualities. It seems like he brings more to the table than just what he does on the field.

Pitchers seem to really like working with him. They trust his game-calling and appreciate how much he prepares for every outing.