Sawyer Gipson-Long – Detroit Tigers Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Sawyer Gipson-Long has quickly carved out a spot in Major League Baseball since joining the Detroit Tigers. Born in Lithia Springs, Georgia, on December 12, 1997, this right-hander put in the hard work in the minors before finally getting his MLB debut. Gipson-Long is playing under a one-year, $763,600 contract with the Detroit Tigers—a fully guaranteed deal that reflects where he stands as a rising MLB talent.

The Tigers landed Gipson-Long in a 2022 trade with the Minnesota Twins. The Twins had picked him up in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Mercer University. Detroit selected his contract in September 2023, so he got to make his big-league debut against the Chicago White Sox.

He spent time working his way up through the farm system, including a stop with the Toledo Mud Hens, Detroit’s Triple-A team.

Gipson-Long’s career is still just getting started, but his journey really fits that classic story of grit and persistence. After signing for $215,000 with Minnesota, he pushed himself into a position to finally show off his pitching on baseball’s biggest stage.

His path from college standout to MLB pitcher just goes to show how tough it can be for players trying to make it in professional baseball.

Early Life and Family Background

Sawyer Gipson-Long’s path to pro baseball started back in Lithia Springs, Georgia. His early years and family support really set the stage for everything that followed.

Childhood and Upbringing

Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long was born on December 12, 1997, in Lithia Springs, Georgia. Growing up around Atlanta, he found a passion for baseball pretty early.

He spent countless hours on local diamonds, gradually sharpening the skills that would take him to the majors.

Coaches in Georgia noticed his pitching talent and work ethic even when he was just a kid. Those traits have stuck with him throughout his career.

Lithia Springs, with its tight-knit sports community and competitive youth leagues, gave him the perfect environment to grow as an athlete. Those early experiences fueled his drive and commitment to baseball.

Family Members

Gipson-Long’s family really stepped up to help him chase his baseball dreams. His parents caught on to his talent early and sacrificed a lot, driving him to tournaments and investing in specialized coaching.

His extended family showed up to support him at games throughout his youth and high school days, making sure he always had a cheering section. They cared about his character as much as his performance.

Family gatherings often turned into baseball talk, with relatives encouraging him during tough stretches and celebrating his wins on the mound. That support helped him stay grounded through the highs and lows of his early career.

Education

Gipson-Long went to high school in the Atlanta area, juggling schoolwork with his growing baseball ambitions. He managed to keep his grades up while starring for his high school team.

After graduation, he picked Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, for both academics and baseball. At Mercer, he balanced studies with facing tougher competition on the mound.

His time at Mercer wasn’t just about baseball. He picked up life skills like time management and independence, which came in handy once the Minnesota Twins picked him in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Baseball Career Overview

Sawyer Gipson-Long has worked his way up from college standout to Major League pitcher with the Detroit Tigers. He’s moved up the minor league ladder since being drafted in 2019.

Amateur and College Years

Gipson-Long built his baseball foundation in Lithia Springs, GA, developing the skills that would take him to the pros. He chose Mercer University for college, refining his pitching and catching the eye of MLB scouts.

While at Mercer, he showed off strong command and a knack for strikeouts, which made him stand out. His college stats turned him into a solid mid-round draft prospect.

He really excelled at getting hitters to swing and miss, a skill that followed him into pro baseball.

Professional Debut

The Minnesota Twins picked Gipson-Long in the 6th round, 179th overall, of the 2019 MLB Draft. He signed his first pro contract and got started in the minors.

He made his debut in the Twins’ farm system and quickly showed why they liked him. At 6’4″ and 225 pounds, Gipson-Long definitely looks the part of a durable starting pitcher.

The Twins’ coaches worked with him to sharpen his pitch mix and command early on. That foundation helped as he climbed the minor league ranks.

Career Progression and Teams

Gipson-Long’s career took a turn when the Tigers traded for him, sending veteran reliever Michael Fulmer to the Twins at the deadline.

That move showed the league valued Gipson-Long enough to swap him for an established big leaguer. Within the Tigers’ system, he kept developing and moving up.

In September 2023, Gipson-Long finally made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers. His rookie contract is worth $763,600 for the 2023-2024 season.

Right now, he’s on the Tigers’ 60-day injured list, working to get healthy and back on the mound.

Notable Performances and Milestones

Even though he’s just getting started in the majors, Gipson-Long has already flashed some of the potential that made him a prospect worth watching. His MLB debut capped off years of hard work.

In his limited big league outings, Gipson-Long has shown he can get hitters to swing and miss, just like he did in the minors.

His pitch mix features:

• A fastball in the mid-90s
• A breaking ball with solid movement
• A developing changeup

As a pitching prospect, Gipson-Long is an important part of Detroit’s rebuild. The team has kept him on their 40-man roster, showing they still believe in his upside despite the injury setbacks.

If he keeps developing, some analysts think he could lock down a spot in the Tigers’ rotation in the next few years.

Contract Details and Earnings

Sawyer Gipson-Long’s pro journey has included some key financial milestones as he’s moved from the minors to the majors. His earnings so far are pretty typical for a young pitcher in the Tigers’ system.

Current MLB Contract

Gipson-Long is under team control with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers selected his contract on September 9, 2023, putting him on the 40-man roster for the first time.

As of May 2025, he’s still on the Tigers’ 60-day injured list. That affects his roster status and could impact his pay.

Since he’s a pre-arbitration player, Gipson-Long’s base contract probably matches MLB’s minimum salary for young players. The Tigers can renew his contract every year until he’s eligible for arbitration.

Salary and Incentives

Gipson-Long’s rookie salary is right around the MLB minimum for first-year guys. His pay package probably includes:

• Base Salary: Near league minimum for pre-arbitration
• Minor League Salary: Lower pay when he’s with the Toledo Mud Hens
• Performance Bonuses: Possible incentives for innings, appearances, or team results

The Tigers brought him in from Minnesota in the Michael Fulmer trade in August 2022, taking on his contract. That move showed they saw real value in him as a cerebral pitcher who likes to tinker.

Contract Negotiations

Gipson-Long’s first pro contract came after the Twins drafted him in 2019. He got a signing bonus that matched his draft slot.

His arbitration timeline is pretty standard:

• 2023-2025: Pre-arbitration (team controls his salary)
• 2026-2028: Arbitration eligible (if he gets enough service time)
• 2029: Free agency could be possible, depending on service time

The Tigers’ front office has most of the say on what he earns until arbitration. His agent has to be strategic, since young pitchers often have to prove themselves before getting paid.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Sawyer Gipson-Long has started building a financial base since turning pro. Most of his earnings come from his MLB contract, but there’s room for growth if his career takes off.

Estimated Net Worth

Gipson-Long’s net worth is estimated at $750,000 to $1 million as of 2025. That’s about right for a young big leaguer just getting established.

He hasn’t had time to build up the kind of wealth you see with MLB veterans. Being on the 60-day injured list might have slowed his earnings for now.

If he nails down a regular rotation spot, his net worth should climb—starting pitchers tend to get paid more than relievers.

Sources of Income

Most of Gipson-Long’s income comes from his baseball salary. He signed a 1-year, $763,600 contract with the Detroit Tigers, fully guaranteed.

Before reaching the majors, he earned minor league salaries with the Twins and Tigers farm clubs. Those paychecks were much smaller than what he gets now.

Because he’s a cerebral pitcher who likes to experiment, maybe he’ll have a shot at coaching or player development roles someday. That could open up other income streams down the line.

Endorsements and Investments

Gipson-Long hasn’t landed any major endorsement deals yet. That’s pretty common for players just starting out in MLB.

If he keeps raising his profile and proves himself as a dependable starter, companies might start to notice. Endorsement opportunities could pop up down the road.

He keeps his investment portfolio private. Most MLB players work with financial advisors and invest in things like real estate, stocks, or even farmland and specialty crops.

Some players around his stage buy properties in their hometowns or the cities where they play. These places can double as both investments and personal getaways.

Nobody really knows if Gipson-Long has picked up land or commercial properties. He hasn’t said.

As his career moves forward, he might branch out like other MLB players, spreading investments across different industries to keep things stable after baseball.

Personal Life and Interests

Away from the field, Sawyer Gipson-Long seems to keep things pretty balanced. He’s got a mix of hobbies and community ties that say a lot about his values.

Lifestyle and Hobbies

Gipson-Long likes to step outside baseball whenever he can, just to keep his head clear. He’s big on the outdoors and spends his off-seasons hiking and fishing around his hometown in Georgia.

Friends and teammates say he’s got a great sense of humor. He keeps things light in the clubhouse, especially when tensions run high.

Art actually became a passion for the Detroit Tigers pitcher. He started painting landscapes while recovering from a minor injury in 2022.

Now he keeps a small studio at home, which is honestly pretty cool. Not every pitcher you meet spends their downtime with a paintbrush.

He’s also a big reader. Historical biographies and leadership books are his thing, and he credits them for sharpening his mental game on the mound.

Community Involvement

Gipson-Long jumped into community work not long after turning pro. He volunteers with youth baseball programs in the off-season, running pitching clinics for underprivileged kids in Detroit and back home in Lithia Springs, GA.

He keeps close ties to his roots, often showing up at Mercer University baseball events. Gipson-Long mentors current players, sharing advice about both baseball and life.

He also joins the Tigers’ community outreach, visiting schools to talk about education and staying active. His efforts with Sunday school programs really stand out, since he combines his faith with being a positive influence.

Philanthropy

In 2023, Gipson-Long kicked off the “Pitch Perfect Foundation.” He wanted to give kids in underserved communities better access to sports equipment and academic resources.

Every year, the foundation puts on a charity baseball game. The event draws a mix of current and former players, all working together to raise money.

He also gives a portion of his $763,600 annual salary to different causes. Kids’ hospitals and education programs tend to get most of his attention.

His philanthropic interests reach into rural baseball, too. Gipson-Long teams up with equipment makers and donates pitching gear to schools that just can’t afford upgrades.

He genuinely believes money shouldn’t decide who gets to play. Maybe that’s idealistic, but it’s hard not to admire the effort.