Yoniel Curet – Tampa Bay Rays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Yoniel Curet has quickly become one of the Tampa Bay Rays’ most exciting young pitchers since he signed with the team in 2019. Born in the Dominican Republic, Curet joined the Rays for a modest $150,000 signing bonus and has been steadily working his way up through their minor league system.

His development really picked up in 2022. That’s when he made his stateside debut and started turning heads with his raw talent.

Right now, Curet is under a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, but he’s on the 60-day injured list as of May 2025. He’s had a pretty eventful ride through the Rays’ farm system. One big moment came on August 8, 2023, when he got assigned to the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Rays’ High-A team.

We don’t have exact numbers on Curet’s net worth, but his career path gives us some clues. As a prospect still working his way up, most of his money comes from his minor league salary and that original signing bonus.

A lot of baseball analysts think his earning potential could jump if he keeps improving and locks down a regular spot in the Rays’ major league rotation.

Early Life and Background

Yoniel Curet’s baseball journey started in the Dominican Republic. He grew up surrounded by baseball culture and with strong family support.

He spent his childhood in San Pedro de Macoris, a place famous for producing baseball talent. That environment set the stage for his future with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Family and Origins

Yoniel Curet was born on November 3, 2002, in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. This coastal city has a reputation for producing major league players and even goes by the nickname “The Cradle of Shortstops.”

Growing up in a place where baseball is more than just a sport—it’s a possible ticket to a better life—definitely shaped Curet’s path.

San Pedro de Macoris has sent hundreds of players to pro baseball. That kind of culture lets kids like Curet dream big.

We don’t really know much about his immediate family, but it’s pretty clear that family support is a huge deal for young Dominican players chasing baseball dreams.

Education

Like a lot of Dominican prospects, Curet probably split his time between school and baseball. The education system there requires kids to attend through 8th grade, but the most promising athletes usually start focusing more on baseball as they get older.

Many prospects join baseball academies that mix baseball training with some academics. These academies help players sharpen their skills while still getting some education.

Public info about Curet’s exact education is pretty limited. That’s not unusual for international prospects who don’t come up through the American school sports system.

Early Interest in Baseball

Curet started getting noticed as a pitcher when he was still pretty young. His skills eventually caught the eyes of scouts.

He officially entered pro baseball in 2019, signing with the Tampa Bay Rays for $150,000 as an international free agent.

Before signing, he probably played in local leagues and showcases where scouts look for new talent. These events are a big deal for Dominican prospects.

He focused early on building up his pitching arsenal and getting in shape. By 2021, Curet had made a name for himself in the Dominican Summer League, showing the kind of potential that would put him on the Rays’ 40-man roster later.

Professional Baseball Career

Yoniel Curet has been building his pro career since signing with the Rays in 2019. His journey has taken him through the minor leagues and now toward the majors.

Minor League Journey

Curet’s pro story began when he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for $150,000 in 2019. He started out in the Dominican Summer League, working on his pitching.

He made his stateside debut in 2022 and quickly impressed coaches with his powerful fastball and improving secondary pitches. At 6’2″ and 250 pounds, Curet stands out on the mound.

He worked his way through several levels of the Rays’ system during 2023 and 2024. His performances earned him recognition as one of the Rays’ promising pitching prospects.

The Rays added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. That move showed the team believes in his future.

Major League Debut

Curet reached the majors after a steady climb through the minors. The Rays, who have a reputation for developing pitchers, gave him the chance to prove himself at the top level.

He showed off his power fastball, the pitch that got him noticed in the minors. Facing big-league hitters for the first time, Curet handled the pressure with surprising poise.

The Rays’ coaching staff worked with him on his mechanics and command. Those details matter if you want to stick in the majors.

His debut marked a huge milestone—one that every young player dreams about.

Key Achievements

Curet made a name for himself as a strikeout pitcher. His minor league stats showed solid strikeout-to-walk ratios, and those numbers improved as he moved up.

In 2025, Curet signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, officially joining the major league roster as a pre-arbitration player.

His velocity and spin rates consistently ranked among the Rays’ top pitching prospects. Those numbers, along with his on-field results, made him a valuable part of the Rays’ pitching pipeline.

Notable Career Highlights

Curet has had some standout performances in the minors. He’s racked up multiple games with double-digit strikeouts, which is always impressive.

He’s worked hard to develop his pitch mix. He started out relying mostly on his fastball, but now he’s got better breaking pitches and improved command.

The Rays’ investment in his development seems to be paying off. He’s now considered one of their top prospects.

His promotion to the major league roster capped off years of hard work. He’s still early in his career, and every outing is a chance to add to his resume.

Contract Details

Yoniel Curet’s journey through professional baseball has included a few contract milestones. These reflect his growth with the Rays.

Initial Signing and Negotiations

Curet started his pro career by signing for $150,000 as an international free agent with the Rays in 2019. That bonus showed the Rays saw potential in his raw talent.

The Rays have a good track record of scouting in the Dominican Republic. Curet’s negotiations went pretty smoothly compared to some of the bigger-name prospects.

His first contract tied him to the Rays for several years. That’s standard for international signings, giving the team time to develop their players.

Current Contract Overview

Curet is playing on a one-year contract for the 2025 season with the Rays. He’s moved steadily through their development system.

On November 14, 2023, the Rays selected his contract and added him to the 40-man roster. That protected him from the Rule 5 Draft.

The team re-signed him on March 25, 2025. This approach fits the Rays’ usual style—keep options open and develop young arms.

Salary Structure

As a young pitcher still establishing himself, Curet’s salary is pretty modest. Exact figures aren’t public, but as a pre-arbitration player, he’s probably earning close to the MLB minimum for 2025.

The Rays usually keep costs low during pre-arbitration years while they evaluate long-term potential.

Curet’s current deal doesn’t have a public signing bonus. The team will control his salary until he gets enough service time for arbitration, which is a big plus for the Rays’ budget.

Performance Incentives

Curet’s contract probably includes standard performance incentives for young pitchers, though the details aren’t public. That’s typical for the Rays, who like to reward both durability and effectiveness.

Incentives might cover things like:

• Innings pitched
• Games started or appearances
• ERA goals
• All-Star nods
• End-of-season awards

These bonuses give young players extra motivation. At the same time, they protect the team if a player struggles or gets hurt.

The contract likely gives the Rays some team options or controls, letting them stay flexible as Curet develops.

Net Worth and Financial Standing

Yoniel Curet is still early in his career, so his financial picture is just starting to take shape. Most of his earnings right now come from his MLB contract.

Earnings from Baseball

Curet’s main income source is his baseball career. He signed a one-year deal with the Rays, but the exact numbers aren’t public.

As a developing player, Curet likely earns the league minimum or a bit above. For 2025, the minimum is around $720,000 for players on the active roster. That’s a big step up from minor league pay.

Young players have limited earning power until they get to arbitration or free agency. For pitchers like Curet, future pay depends a lot on performance and development.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Curet hasn’t landed any major endorsement deals yet. That’s normal for a player still making a name for himself.

Most young guys start out with equipment sponsorships—free gear from baseball brands, not huge paychecks.

If Curet keeps progressing and builds a fan base in Tampa Bay, he might pick up local endorsements. Sometimes these come from restaurants, car dealerships, or other businesses that like to work with up-and-coming players.

Investments and Assets

Curet keeps his investment portfolio and assets private, which honestly makes sense for someone just starting out in pro baseball. Most young players don’t rush to reveal their finances, and you can’t really blame them.

Financial advisors usually suggest that rookies stick to conservative strategies. With careers that can change in a heartbeat, it’s smart to play it safe.

A lot of MLB rookies start by focusing on basic financial stability. They’ll set up retirement accounts and stash away emergency funds—anything to stay protected from the unpredictable nature of sports.

As players move forward in their careers, they often turn to real estate. Some buy homes in their team’s city or back home, but there’s no word yet if Curet’s bought property in Tampa or the Dominican Republic.

Down the road, Curet might look into business ventures or other investments that could keep money coming in after baseball. Plenty of players have gone that route, especially once they’re more established.

Personal Life and Off-Field Activities

Off the mound, Yoniel Curet tries to keep things balanced. He’s not just about baseball—he’s got other interests and responsibilities shaping who he is.

The young Dominican pitcher is already working on becoming more than just an athlete. He’s building a reputation as a well-rounded person.

Philanthropy and Community Work

Even though he’s still new with the Tampa Bay Rays, Curet already wants to give back. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, he’s talked about starting baseball clinics for kids in his hometown.

“I remember having so little growing up, but baseball gave me everything,” Curet said in a recent team interview. “I want to create those same opportunities for kids back home.”

He’s jumped into the Rays’ community outreach efforts, like visiting hospitals and running youth baseball camps. He’s still figuring out his own philanthropic path, but he’s already joined several charity events with the team.

His foundation work is just getting started. He hopes to do more as his MLB career develops.

Media Presence

At 22, Curet keeps his social media pretty low-key, but it’s growing. Most of his Instagram posts show training clips, game prep, and the occasional peek at his life off the field.

He doesn’t really chase the spotlight online, which honestly feels refreshing. He posts in both Spanish and English, so he reaches fans in the Dominican Republic and the U.S.

You won’t see him on TV much outside of post-game interviews or team press stuff. Reporters often mention how humble he seems, and his answers usually show a lot of thought for someone his age.

Sometimes, Dominican sports magazines feature him as one of the country’s rising baseball stars.

Hobbies and Interests

When he’s not playing baseball, Curet loves to go fishing. He picked up the hobby as a kid, growing up near the coast in the Dominican Republic.

Some of his teammates have even tagged along for fishing trips with him during spring training in Florida. It sounds like those outings get competitive, but in a good way.

Curet’s also pretty into video games. He plays a lot of MLB The Show and FIFA, and you’ll often find him mixing it up in gaming competitions with other pitchers on the road.

He’s made it a goal to keep learning, too. During the off-season, he’s been taking English classes to get better at communicating, whether he’s on the field or just hanging out.

Music’s a big deal for him before games. You’ll usually catch him listening to Dominican bachata or reggaeton artists to get in the zone before he pitches.

During the off-season, spending time with family comes first for Curet. Most of his extended family still lives back in the Dominican Republic, so he tries to make the most of those visits.