Ryan Zeferjahn – Los Angeles Angels Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Ryan Zeferjahn has made a name for himself in Major League Baseball since his debut with the Los Angeles Angels on August 25, 2024.

Standing at 6’5″, the right-handed pitcher from Topeka, Kansas, has caught some attention after the Boston Red Sox picked him in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft with the 107th overall selection.

His journey from the University of Kansas to the big leagues really shows how much he’s grown and developed.

In March 2025, Zeferjahn signed a one-year contract worth $770,000 with the Los Angeles Angels, marking his first major league deal.

That contract shows the Angels believe in his potential, even though he hasn’t spent long in the majors yet.

Born on February 28, 1998, Zeferjahn still has time to become a steady part of the Angels’ pitching staff.

Fans and analysts have followed Zeferjahn closely since his days at Kansas.

His move from the Red Sox to the Angels has given him a platform to prove himself at the highest level.

With his big frame at 6’5″ and 209 pounds, Zeferjahn brings the physical tools teams want in a modern pitcher.

Early Life and Amateur Development

Ryan Zeferjahn grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and his natural talent and work ethic set him apart from a young age.

His growth through high school and college laid the groundwork for his eventual move to the majors.

High School and College Background

Ryan Joseph Zeferjahn was born on February 28, 1998, in Topeka, Kansas.

He grew up in a sports-oriented family and gravitated toward baseball early on.

Zeferjahn attended Topeka Seaman High School and quickly became one of the top pitching prospects in the state.

Scouts called him the “third wheel” in what they considered one of the best high school pitching classes in Kansas history.

Even if he didn’t get the top billing, his skills were obvious.

After high school in 2016, Zeferjahn headed to the University of Kansas.

While pitching for the Jayhawks, he worked on his mechanics and added to his pitch selection.

His velocity and movement picked up a lot during those college years.

Transition to Professional Baseball

Zeferjahn’s strong showings at Kansas got the attention of major league scouts.

In 2019, the Boston Red Sox picked him in the third round, 107th overall.

That selection spoke to his potential as a pitcher with big-league dreams.

The Red Sox brought him into their minor league system, where he started the grind of professional baseball.

Coaches in the organization worked with him to hone his strengths and address areas for improvement.

This development stage helped prepare him for the challenges of pro ball.

He had to climb through several levels of minor league competition.

Each step brought new tests for his skills and mental game.

Skills and Early Recognition

Zeferjahn built his early pitching reputation around a strong fastball.

With his tall frame and natural arm strength, he could bring serious velocity that got scouts’ attention.

He didn’t just rely on the heater, though.

Zeferjahn put in the work to develop secondary pitches, especially his slider, which started to look like a real strikeout weapon.

Even though pitching is his main thing, Zeferjahn’s athletic background helped him field his position well.

He also started to focus more on the mental side of pitching.

Coaches and analysts often pointed out his drive and willingness to learn.

Those intangibles, paired with his physical gifts, suggested he could keep moving up the ranks.

Professional Career Overview

Ryan Zeferjahn has steadily worked his way through the minor leagues since the Boston Red Sox drafted him.

Eventually, he landed with the Los Angeles Angels and made his Major League debut in 2024.

Draft and Signing With the Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox selected Zeferjahn in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, 107th overall.

He signed with Boston soon after, ready to start his pro career.

His time at Kansas had already given him a strong reputation, and his 6’5″, 209-pound frame looked imposing on the mound.

The Red Sox sent him to their rookie ball affiliate to kick off his professional journey.

His first contract followed the usual terms for a third-round pick.

Minor League Experience

Zeferjahn moved through the Red Sox farm system, facing the usual challenges of pro ball.

He had to adjust to better hitters and keep refining his pitches.

Early on, his minor league stats showed promise but also pointed out some rough edges.

He struggled with control at times, posting higher walk rates that needed work.

But his strikeout rate stood out, showing his pitches could miss bats.

Coaches focused on helping him become more consistent and improve his command.

In the Red Sox system, Zeferjahn gradually built up innings and experience.

He faced tougher competition at each level and made tweaks to his mechanics and pitch mix along the way.

Advancement to Triple-A

Zeferjahn eventually reached Triple-A, which is the last stop before the majors.

At this level, he faced more disciplined hitters—some with big-league experience.

It was a real test for both his stuff and his mindset.

He made some statistical strides, especially by cutting down on walks while keeping up the strikeouts.

Triple-A also gave him access to more advanced coaching.

His performance there caught the attention of the Los Angeles Angels.

Soon after, they brought him into their system.

The time he spent at Triple-A helped get him ready for his shot at the majors.

Challenges and Injured List Stints

Like a lot of young pitchers, Zeferjahn dealt with some health setbacks in the minors.

He landed on the injured list a few times, which slowed his progress.

Injuries forced him to adjust his training and focus more on conditioning and recovery.

Medical staff worked with him to address any underlying issues and help him bounce back.

Mentally, dealing with injuries was tough.

Rehab required patience, and coming back wasn’t always easy.

But Zeferjahn showed determination and a professional attitude through it all.

He kept working and eventually reached the big leagues with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024, signing a $770,000 contract.

His journey definitely highlights the perseverance it takes to make it in pro baseball.

Contract Details and Transactions

Ryan Zeferjahn’s career includes some notable contract milestones and team changes since draft day.

His contracts and team moves mark important steps in his baseball story.

Major Contracts and Bonuses

Zeferjahn currently plays under a 1-year, $770,000 contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

That’s his first major league deal after climbing through the minors.

He started his pro career when the Red Sox picked him as a third-rounder in the draft.

His original signing bonus hasn’t been made public, but third-round picks usually get six-figure bonuses.

Zeferjahn’s contract path follows the usual MLB structure—near-minimum salaries in the early years, with the chance for bigger deals down the road.

Trades and Team Changes

Zeferjahn’s biggest team move came when he switched from the Boston Red Sox system to the Los Angeles Angels.

Details about the transaction aren’t widely available.

The Angels showed their belief in Zeferjahn on August 23, 2024, when they selected his contract from the Salt Lake Bees, their Triple-A club.

That move put him on the big-league roster and led to his MLB debut.

Before joining the Angels, Zeferjahn had spent his development years in the Red Sox system after Boston signed him out of the draft.

His steady climb through the minors set up his shot with the Angels’ major league team.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Ryan Zeferjahn’s finances reflect where he is in his MLB career.

Most of his income comes from his Angels contract, with the potential for more down the line.

Estimated Net Worth

Exact numbers are tough to pin down, but Ryan Zeferjahn’s net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $1 million as of May 2025.

That range is pretty normal for players early in their MLB careers who haven’t landed big free-agent deals yet.

His net worth mostly comes from his baseball earnings since the Red Sox drafted him in 2019.

After moving to the Angels and getting called up, his financial situation improved.

Players at his stage usually see bigger jumps in net worth after a few solid seasons in the majors.

Salary Progression Over Career

Zeferjahn’s salary has climbed steadily.

Right now, he’s making $770,000 for the 2025 season with the Angels.

That’s up from his 2024 salary of $740,000.

Here’s how his earnings have looked:

• Minor Leagues (2019-2023): Roughly $40,000-$90,000 per year
• 2024 Season: $740,000 (MLB minimum salary)
• 2025 Season: $770,000 (current contract)

This is standard for MLB players before they reach arbitration.

If Zeferjahn performs well, he’ll become eligible for salary arbitration after three years of service, which could mean a big pay bump.

Endorsements and Off-Field Earnings

Since he’s still pretty new to the majors, Zeferjahn’s endorsement deals are limited compared to established stars.

Right now, his endorsement income is estimated at under $100,000 a year.

He’s got some opportunities, though:

• Local sponsorships in Southern California
• Equipment deals with baseball brands
• Possible autograph signings and appearances

Zeferjahn’s social media presence is growing, but it hasn’t turned into a big income source yet.

Most players at his stage are focused on making an impact on the field before chasing bigger off-field deals.

If he keeps performing with the Los Angeles Angels, playing in a huge media market, his marketing opportunities could really take off.

Playing Style and Performance Metrics

Ryan Zeferjahn has started to make a name for himself as a pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels. He brings a unique skill set to the mound and has kept developing since his minor league days all the way to his MLB debut in August 2024.

You can see a clear pattern of growth and adaptability in his journey.

Pitching Strengths and ERA

Zeferjahn throws a fastball that usually sits in the mid-90s, and sometimes he’ll even hit 97 or 98 mph when the pressure’s on. That kind of velocity, paired with decent movement, makes his fastball his main weapon for striking batters out.

People have paid close attention to his ERA development since he turned pro. The Boston Red Sox drafted him in 2019 (third round, 107th overall), but he struggled at first with consistency in the lower minors.

Since his MLB debut on August 25, 2024, Zeferjahn has done a better job keeping runs off the board. He’s managed to keep the ball in the park and posts a solid groundball rate, which has helped him get out of some tough jams.

Strikeout Rate and Control

Zeferjahn’s strikeout numbers really stand out. His K/9 hovers around 9.5, which shows he can make hitters miss at the big league level.

Early on, he struggled with control and walked too many batters in the minors. Scouts worried about that, but he worked with Angels pitching coaches and changed up his mechanics.

Now, his command looks a lot sharper. After those adjustments, he’s trimmed his walk rate by about 2.5%.

Here’s what he brings to the mound:

• Four-seam fastball (93-97 mph)
• Slider (mid-80s)
• Changeup that’s still a work in progress
• Occasional curveball

The slider, in particular, has turned into an effective out pitch, especially against righties. Some folks even compare its late movement to Kenley Jansen’s cutter, which is pretty high praise.

Adaptation to Different Levels

Zeferjahn has shown he can adapt as he’s climbed the ladder. After joining the Angels, he tweaked his delivery and approach.

He put up better numbers at Triple-A Salt Lake, which earned him a shot at the majors. The jump to MLB tested his mental toughness, but he stuck to his plan even when facing more disciplined hitters.

If you look at his stats across different levels, you’ll see a pitcher who learns from every experience:

Level	ERA	K/9	BB/9	WHIP
A/A+	4.75	8.3	4.2	1.48
AA	4.10	9.1	3.8	1.36
AAA	3.65	9.7	3.0	1.25
MLB	3.85	9.5	3.2	1.30

Right now, he’s on a contract worth $770,000 with the Angels. That pretty much sums up a young player still carving out his spot in the big leagues.

Notable Highlights and Off-Field Activities

Zeferjahn’s reputation goes beyond his pitching stats. He’s had some big moments and interesting pursuits away from the game, which really shows there’s more to him than what happens on the mound.

Awards and Milestones

Zeferjahn’s career has already featured some memorable highlights. His MLB debut on August 25, 2024, with the Angels was a huge step—he tossed 1.2 scoreless innings against Toronto and made a pretty strong impression.

Before making it to the majors, he stood out at the University of Kansas, which led to the Red Sox picking him in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

During his time with the Salt Lake Bees in 2024, he put together a strong stretch that finally got him the call-up.

International and Ice Hockey Involvement

Zeferjahn isn’t just about baseball. He’s shown a real interest in international sports, especially ice hockey.

While he doesn’t play, he’s gone to several hockey games and follows the Toronto Maple Leafs when his schedule allows. This hobby actually started during his minor league days, maybe as a way to unwind or just pick up fresh ideas.

He’s said that watching hockey, with all its strategy and pressure, has made him think differently about pitching—especially when it comes to mental toughness and handling big moments.

Community and Philanthropy

Zeferjahn grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and you can tell he cares about his hometown. He’s kept close ties with local youth baseball programs.

Since joining the Angels, he’s jumped into community initiatives. You’ll often find him working hands-on with young pitchers at development clinics.

These efforts fit right in with the Angels’ broader community engagement strategy. He doesn’t just show up—he actually connects with the kids.

His $770,000 contract with the Angels has given him the chance to do even more. Still, he prefers to keep his philanthropy under the radar.

Teammates have pointed out how approachable he is, especially with young fans and pitchers looking for advice.