Ryan Pepiot – Tampa Bay Rays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Ryan Pepiot has made a name for himself as one of the more promising arms in Major League Baseball since debuting with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Born August 21, 1997, the righty now pitches for the Tampa Bay Rays after a December 2023 trade. Pepiot’s earning $774,600 on a one-year deal with the Rays, and his estimated net worth is around $1,341,728.

Pepiot’s rise to the majors really says a lot about his growth as a pitcher and his potential. The Rays have gotten a pretty good deal here—he’s still in his pre-arbitration years, with just over two years of service time as of January 2025. That makes him a valuable piece for Tampa Bay, especially since they’re known for watching payroll.

He’s still developing at the big league level, and his career looks to be on an upward swing. Even though his salary is modest for MLB, that could change fast if he keeps improving and hits arbitration after the 2025 season.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Ryan Pepiot’s story starts in the Midwest, where his talent and work ethic pushed him through the ranks and eventually into the majors.

Background and Family

Ryan Michael Pepiot was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 21, 1997. Growing up in the Midwest, he found his love for baseball early. His family always backed him up, driving to games and tournaments all over.

He had natural athletic talent, but he really separated himself by obsessing over his pitching mechanics. His parents pushed both sports and school, setting up a foundation that would help him later on.

That Midwestern upbringing really hammered in the importance of hard work and grit—qualities Pepiot still leans on today.

High School Achievements

At Westfield High School in Indiana, Pepiot stood out as a pitcher. He put up some pretty eye-popping numbers, especially his senior year, with an ERA under 2.00 and more than 100 strikeouts.

He picked up several honors along the way:

• All-Conference
• Team MVP
• All-State

Despite all that, big Division I schools didn’t come calling. That slight probably fueled him even more. His velocity climbed through high school, hitting the low 90s by the time he graduated.

Butler University and College Highlights

Some sources get it wrong, but Pepiot actually attended Butler University in Indianapolis, not Texas Tech. At Butler, he really started to shine as a pitching prospect.

During college, Pepiot added more weapons to his arsenal, especially a nasty changeup that would become his trademark. His junior year was a breakout—126 strikeouts in just 78 innings.

Some of his college highlights:

• Standout in the Big East Conference
• 2019 All-Big East First Team
• Career 3.61 ERA at Butler
• 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings as a junior

His performance caught the eye of MLB scouts, especially from the Dodgers, who would draft him in 2019.

Professional Baseball Journey

Pepiot’s path from college standout to promising MLB pitcher has had its share of twists and growth. He impressed in the minors, debuted with the Dodgers, and then landed in Tampa Bay, where he’s still working on his craft.

Minor League Development

The Dodgers drafted Pepiot in 2019, and he quickly became one of their top pitching prospects.

In the minors, he focused on sharpening his pitch mix, especially that changeup. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, and his slider keeps getting better.

The 2021 season really put him on the map—he moved up three levels in the Dodgers’ system and racked up strikeouts. COVID-19 derailed things in 2020, but Pepiot used the downtime to get stronger and work on his mechanics.

By 2022, he was knocking on the door for a big league shot.

MLB Debut and Breakout

Pepiot made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2022, starting on the mound. Like most rookies, he had to adjust, but he worked hard to translate his minor league success.

He flashed his potential right away, especially with that changeup—major leaguers had trouble with it. In 2023, he started to carve out a bigger role in the Dodgers’ plans. He improved his command and cut down on walks, which had been a problem before.

The Dodgers have a deep pitching staff, so competition for innings was always tough. That depth probably played a part in the decision to move him.

Trade to the Rays

In December 2023, the Dodgers traded Pepiot to the Rays as part of the Tyler Glasnow deal. Jonny DeLuca also went to Tampa Bay, while Manuel Margot joined the Dodgers.

Tampa Bay loves picking up young pitchers before they get expensive. The Rays have a reputation for developing arms, so it feels like a good fit for Pepiot.

For him, the trade was both a challenge and a fresh start. Leaving the team that drafted you isn’t easy, but the Rays offer a real shot at a steady rotation spot.

Financially, the trade made sense for both teams. Pepiot’s salary of $774,600 is a bargain compared to Glasnow’s contract.

2024 Season Overview

The 2024 season marks Pepiot’s first full year with the Rays. Pitching at Tropicana Field has its perks—some pitchers like the controlled conditions.

He’s been working to lock down a spot in the Rays’ rotation, and the team has given him a good, consistent run. His performances have shown why Tampa Bay wanted him in the Glasnow deal.

The Rays’ approach to pitcher development shows in how they’re handling Pepiot. They’ve focused on getting the most out of his pitch mix and making sure he attacks hitters smartly.

As the 2024 season moves along, Pepiot keeps building on his skills. The Rays really need solid starting pitching to hang tough in the AL East, so his progress matters.

Performance and Playing Style

Ryan Pepiot has built a reputation as a right-handed pitcher with a deep arsenal and better command every season. His trajectory looks good as he keeps fine-tuning his approach.

Pitching Arsenal and Techniques

Pepiot’s bread-and-butter is his changeup—it’s got wild movement and fools hitters on both sides of the plate. He pairs it with a four-seam fastball, usually in the 93-96 mph range.

He’s also working on a slider that’s come a long way since his debut. His delivery uses a high arm slot, which helps him get good downward action.

Control used to be an issue, but he’s made strides with his walk rate as he’s gotten more experience. Adjusting to big league hitters hasn’t been easy, but he’s shown he can make changes.

Major Achievements

Even though he’s early in his career, Pepiot’s already had some standout moments. With the Dodgers, he put together a stretch of scoreless innings that got people talking.

After the move to the Rays in December 2023, he kept trending in the right direction. His ERA has improved as he’s faced more major league hitters.

Pepiot has shown he can get big outs in tough spots, which isn’t something every young pitcher can do. He’s helped his teams during playoff pushes, though he’s still working toward a big postseason moment.

Contract Status and Salary

Ryan Pepiot’s contract reflects where he’s at in his MLB career. He’s still building value with the Tampa Bay Rays, and his current salary and service time keep him as a cost-controlled asset.

Current Contract Details

Pepiot is making a salary of $722,500 per year with Tampa Bay. As of May 2025, he’s got about 2.005 years of service time, so he’s still in pre-arbitration. That means the Rays have a lot of control over his contract.

There’s no signing bonus in his current deal. The salary is pretty standard for someone in this stage of their career. Before joining the Rays, he was with the Dodgers, who traded him in December 2023.

The Rays are known for squeezing value out of pre-arbitration players, so Pepiot’s contract fits right into their playbook.

Free Agency and Future Outlook

With 2.005 years of service time, Pepiot won’t hit free agency until after the 2028 season, assuming he stays on the big league roster.

He’ll be up for salary arbitration after the 2025 season, which could mean a nice pay bump if he performs. The Rays will have to choose whether to go to arbitration, work out a multi-year deal, or maybe even offer an extension before then.

Tampa Bay often tries to lock up young players to early extensions, trading some free agency years for guaranteed money. That could give Pepiot some financial security and the Rays some cost certainty.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Ryan Pepiot’s finances have changed a lot since he entered MLB. His earnings reflect his stage in the game, and his contract, endorsements, and the recent trade all factor in.

Estimated Net Worth

Pepiot’s net worth sits at about $1,341,728, which makes sense for a newer MLB player. Most of that comes from his contracts, not from investments or side businesses.

He’s currently earning $774,600 per year with Tampa Bay, a bit up from his $722,500 salary with the Dodgers. That salary growth is pretty normal for guys still in pre-arbitration.

If he keeps developing and makes it to arbitration and then free agency, his net worth could jump quite a bit.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Pepiot hasn’t shared much about his endorsement deals, so most of that info stays under wraps. His marketing portfolio’s still taking shape, and honestly, he’s not a household name just yet.

Most young pitchers like Pepiot usually land smaller regional endorsements or gear deals with baseball brands. You might see them sign with glove companies, pitching academies, or even local businesses around Tampa Bay or back home.

Switching from the bright lights of Los Angeles to Tampa Bay probably changed his endorsement outlook, at least for now. But if he keeps performing well with the Rays, I wouldn’t be surprised if new sponsorships pop up for him in Florida.

Influence of Trades on Earnings

When Pepiot got traded from the Dodgers to the Rays in December 2023, it really shifted his career and financial path. Tampa Bay has a habit of bringing in talented pitchers before they get too expensive in arbitration.

Now that he’s in a smaller market with the Rays, he might not have as many commercial offers. Still, the Rays have a strong track record for developing pitchers, which could boost his value on the field and help his earnings down the line.

If he pitches well, he could land a bigger deal with Tampa Bay or use that momentum in future negotiations. The timing of his next contract or possible trade could be a huge factor, especially if it lines up with his best years.

Injuries and Resilience

Ryan Pepiot’s career has already hit some rough patches with serious injuries. He’s had to dig deep and push through tough rehab, which says a lot about his grit.

Tommy John Surgery and Recovery

Early on, Pepiot ran into a major hurdle—he needed Tommy John surgery to fix a torn ligament in his pitching elbow. That surgery is pretty common for pitchers, but it’s still a big deal and usually means at least a year of recovery.

Pepiot spent that time working closely with the Tampa Bay Rays medical team, trying to rebuild his arm and tweak his mechanics. He focused on things like:

• Gradually ramping up his throwing
• Doing targeted strength workouts
• Making mechanical tweaks to avoid future injuries

Even though the rehab took ages, Pepiot stayed positive. Coaches and trainers really noticed his work ethic during that stretch. In the end, the surgery paid off, and he came back with sharper mechanics and a fresh start on the mound.

Shoulder Surgery and Setbacks

Pepiot faced even more injury trouble when he had to go through shoulder surgery. That surgery really set back his development, since the doctors fixed some structural problems that kept bothering his throwing shoulder.

Rehab for his shoulder? It was rough. He had to tackle more complicated range-of-motion drills, and then there were those long stretches where he barely threw at all.

On top of that, he needed to tweak his pitching motion. All of these hurdles made it harder for Pepiot to lock down a spot in the rotation.

Still, you could see his resilience as he pushed through every recovery stage. The Rays organization didn’t lose faith in him, even with all those setbacks.

By 2025, Pepiot managed to get past these major injuries. You have to admire the mental toughness he showed—it really matched his physical ability. He kept fighting to prove he could make it as a major league pitcher.