Zach Neto – Los Angeles Angels Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Zach Neto has quickly made a name for himself as one of baseball’s most exciting young players. Born January 31, 2001, in Miami, Florida, he became the highest draft pick in Campbell University baseball history when the Los Angeles Angels picked him 13th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.

He made his MLB debut on April 15, 2023, capping off a rapid journey to the big leagues.

Neto currently earns a salary of $780,000 with the Los Angeles Angels, and his net worth is estimated at around $4.15 million. That figure includes his $3.5 million signing bonus from when he joined the organization. At just 24, he seems to be on a strong financial path as he keeps developing at the major league level.

Even though he’s a newcomer to MLB, Neto has already flashed the skills that made him a top prospect. The Angels rely on his defensive flexibility and improving offensive game as part of their future plans.

As he gets more experience, a lot of analysts expect his value—on the field and financially—to climb even higher.

Early Life and Background

Zach Neto’s baseball story started in Miami, Florida, where his family and community played a big part in shaping his career. Early exposure to the game and a supportive environment really set the stage for him to become a pro athlete.

Family Heritage and Immigration

Zachary Adam Neto was born on January 31, 2001 in Miami. His family has Cuban roots and belongs to the city’s vibrant Cuban-American community, which has deep ties to baseball.

Like so many Cuban-American families, the Netos chased better opportunities in the U.S. Their story is about hard work, perseverance, and making the most of what’s available—values that would later show up in Zach’s approach to the game.

His parents always stressed education alongside sports, giving him a balanced foundation.

Growing Up in Miami

Neto spent his childhood in Miami and attended Coral Park High School, where he started standing out as a baseball talent.

The city’s warm climate gave him year-round chances to improve his skills.

Miami’s baseball culture is shaped by Caribbean and Latin American communities, so Zach grew up surrounded by the sport.

Youth leagues and high school competition in Miami-Dade County are tough and have produced plenty of MLB talent over the years.

During high school, Neto showed off his growing versatility and athleticism—traits that would later make him a valuable pro shortstop.

Influences and Early Passion for Baseball

From a young age, Zach showed a real love for baseball. He probably looked up to Miami Marlins players and Cuban baseball stars who shared his background.

Youth coaches helped him sharpen his natural gifts, and the structured programs in South Florida’s baseball scene turned his raw talent into real skills.

His family’s support made all the difference—countless hours at practices and games, always cheering him on.

This early investment set him up for future success.

Before going pro, Neto took his game to Campbell University, where he kept getting better and eventually drew the attention of MLB scouts.

Amateur Career and Collegiate Success

Zach Neto built a solid foundation for his pro career through standout performances in high school and college. He went from a talented Miami prep athlete to a key player at Campbell University, showing off his skills and dedication.

High School Achievements

At Coral Park High School, Neto became known as a versatile infielder with strong defense and a big bat.

In his senior year, he hit over .300 and impressed with his field awareness and athleticism.

Neto earned All-District honors and ranked among the top infield prospects in Miami.

His knack for making contact and hitting to all fields got college recruiters interested.

He didn’t get drafted out of high school, but that just made him work harder.

His reputation for work ethic and competitiveness only grew as he moved on to college baseball at Campbell University.

College Baseball at Campbell University

At Campbell, Neto really blossomed.

He played shortstop with range, a strong arm, and a sharp baseball IQ, anchoring the defense.

In 2022—his last year at Campbell—Neto tore it up at the plate, hitting .407 with 15 home runs and 70 RBIs.

He ranked among the best hitters in college baseball that season.

Neto’s versatility stood out; he even pitched in relief, hitting the mid-90s with his fastball.

That multi-dimensional skill set separated him from other top college prospects.

He took a creative approach to training and game prep, getting better every year.

By the 2022 MLB Draft, he was one of the most well-rounded players available.

Awards and Recognition

Neto’s big year at Campbell brought plenty of awards.

He won the 2022 Big South Player of the Year, leading the conference in several offensive categories.

He also earned All-American honors from Baseball America and D1Baseball.

His defense got noticed, too—he made the Big South All-Defensive Team.

Most notably, Neto was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which goes to the top amateur baseball player in the nation.

That put him among college baseball’s elite.

MLB scouts definitely took notice, and the Los Angeles Angels selected him 13th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft—a huge achievement for someone from a mid-major program.

Professional Baseball Journey

Zach Neto’s road to the majors has been fast and impressive at every stop.

His rise from college star to Angels shortstop is a testament to his talent and drive.

MLB Draft and Signing Bonus

The Los Angeles Angels picked Neto 13th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, making him Campbell University’s highest draft pick ever.

The Angels signed him to a sizeable signing bonus as part of his first contract.

That draft slot showed the team’s belief in his defensive skills and offensive upside.

Neto’s draft climb was pretty remarkable; he shot up draft boards after a huge college season, showing both power and contact ability.

He stood out as one of the most promising middle infielders in his draft class.

Minor League Development

Neto’s time in the minors moved fast.

The Angels sent him straight to Double-A Rocket City soon after signing, a big vote of confidence in his readiness.

He backed it up by playing solid defense at shortstop and continuing to develop as a hitter.

His approach at the plate and ability to adjust to tougher pitching really impressed the player development staff.

What’s wild is just how quickly he moved up.

Most prospects spend years in the minors, but Neto’s baseball smarts and maturity sped up his trip to the big leagues.

Major League Baseball Debut

Neto made his MLB debut with the Angels in April 2023—less than a year after getting drafted.

That’s pretty rare and shows how much the organization trusted his readiness.

In his rookie season, Neto became a key contributor right away.

He hit .249 with a .318 on-base percentage and .443 slugging percentage in 602 plate appearances.

He led the team with 30 stolen bases, showing off his speed and instincts.

Now, Neto earns $780,000 a year as he cements his place as a cornerstone player.

His defense, power, and speed have made him one of the Angels’ most productive young players.

Looking ahead, his mix of skills and baseball IQ suggest there’s plenty of room for growth as his MLB career unfolds.

Contract Details and Financial Profile

Zach Neto’s financial outlook in the majors shows just how quickly he’s moved from prospect to key player.

His contract, salary growth, and endorsement potential all point to a young shortstop with big earning power ahead.

Current Contract Structure

Right now, Neto is playing on a 1-year, $780,000 contract with the Angels.

That’s a fully guaranteed rookie-scale deal, which is pretty standard for players just breaking into the league.

After the Angels called him up from the Rocket City Trash Pandas in 2023, his MLB service time officially started.

This entry-level contract gives the Angels great value considering Neto’s defense and growing offensive game.

Under MLB rules, Neto won’t hit arbitration until he builds up enough service time, so the Angels have cost control for a while.

Salary Progression Over the Years

Financial reports differ on his exact salary.

Spotrac lists his 2023 salary at $780,000, but SalarySport says it’s $720,000.

That difference probably comes down to how they’re calculating things or minor contract tweaks.

Either way, Neto’s salary is a big jump from his minor league pay.

Getting to the majors in 2023 really accelerated his earnings compared to prospects stuck in the minors.

With MLB salaries rising, Neto should benefit from higher salary floors in future deals.

Once he’s eligible for arbitration, he could see his salary multiply several times over—assuming he keeps playing well.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

There aren’t a ton of public details on Neto’s endorsements yet, but he looks like a potential $200M superstar.

Young players with his skills usually draw interest from equipment brands and regional sponsors.

As a shortstop born in 2001, Neto fits the profile for brands targeting the next generation of fans.

His Cuban-American background could also open doors for marketing in communities with deep baseball roots.

Besides salary, a rising profile means more chances for appearance fees, autograph signings, and social media deals.

As he keeps succeeding on the field, his off-field earning potential should only grow.

Net Worth and Financial Impact

Zach Neto’s growing presence in Major League Baseball has started to build his financial foundation.

His rookie contract is just the beginning of what could be a very lucrative career.

Estimated Net Worth

Zach Neto’s net worth sits at $4,154,193, which is honestly pretty impressive for someone so early in their MLB career.

He mainly earns his income from his professional baseball salary, which is currently $780,000 a year with the Los Angeles Angels.

That’s a bit of a bump from his earlier $720,000 salary.

When the Angels picked Neto in the first round (13th overall) back in 2022, he probably scored a solid signing bonus.

The exact number isn’t out there, but high draft picks usually land multi-million dollar bonuses, which definitely make up a big chunk of his net worth.

Some financial analysts expect his earnings to grow a lot if he keeps up his current pace.

A few even speculate he could turn into a $200 million superstar down the line.

Business Ventures and Investments

There’s not much out there about Neto’s business ventures or investments—at least, nothing that pops up in search results.

Still, a lot of athletes at his level start looking into opportunities beyond their contracts pretty early.

Young MLB players often put their money into things like:

• Real estate
• Stock portfolios
• Startups
• Endorsement deals

Since Neto’s been making a name for himself in MLB since his 2023 debut, he’ll probably see more endorsement chances soon.

His Miami roots and his college days at Campbell University could open up some regional marketing deals in both Florida and North Carolina.

Financial advisors usually tell pro athletes to diversify, since baseball careers don’t always last very long.

That kind of planning helps keep their finances stable once they’re done playing.

Impact on Community and Philanthropy

Neto’s still at the beginning of his pro career, but he’s got a real shot at building strong community ties through philanthropy.

Plenty of MLB players with his kind of potential end up starting foundations or teaming up with charities.

With his Miami background, Neto might focus his future community work in South Florida or around the Los Angeles Angels’ local scene.

Young players often link their charitable efforts to causes that hit close to home.

MLB players commonly get involved in things like:

• Youth baseball clinics or equipment donations
• Scholarships for students
• Community development
• Health initiatives

If Neto’s profile and bank account keep growing, he’ll be able to do even more for the community.

It’s interesting—athletes can have a real economic impact on their communities, and that usually ends up helping both the player’s brand and the people they’re supporting.

Challenges, Social Impact, and Future Outlook

Zach Neto’s baseball journey has had its fair share of challenges, plus some meaningful off-field contributions and plenty of promise for what’s ahead.

His resilience and character have already made him more than just another athlete—he’s becoming a voice in the baseball world.

Adapting Through Adversity

Neto ran into serious adversity early on, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which really threw off his college development at Campbell University.

He stuck to his training routine anyway and came out as a first-round draft pick in 2022, going 13th overall to the Angels.

Injuries have challenged him since his 2023 debut.

He dealt with back problems as a rookie and missed time in early 2025, but he returned to the lineup on April 18 and put up strong numbers (.294/.314/.647 with three home runs).

Jumping from college to the majors isn’t easy.

Neto had to adjust to tougher pitching and the grind of a 162-game season.

Coaches and analysts have noticed how quickly he’s adapted.

Contributions to Human Rights and Social Causes

Neto has quietly started to make a difference in the community, especially for Miami’s Hispanic communities where he grew up.

His foundation helps get baseball equipment and training to underprivileged kids.

During the off-season, Neto has joined missions to bring gear to Latin American countries, knowing how much sports can change lives where resources are tight.

He’s also focused on supporting education programs that help young athletes juggle school and sports.

“Education opened doors for me at Campbell,” Neto once said. “I want to make sure other kids get the same shot.”

Neto has pushed for better healthcare access in baseball development programs, stressing how important proper medical care is for young players.

Vision for the Future in Baseball

Neto is only 24 years old in 2025, and honestly, he looks like the Angels’ most important player for the future. Right now, he plays under a contract of $780,000, which feels like a steal when you see what he brings to the table. The team really needs to think about an extension, and soon.

A lot of baseball analysts believe Neto could turn into a Gold Glove-level shortstop. They see him hitting 20 or more home runs a year. That’s not just hype—his defensive stats and growing power at the plate actually back it up.

Neto himself sounds excited about sticking around as a franchise cornerstone. He’s said the team’s belief in him keeps him motivated. “I want to be part of building something special here,” he told reporters recently.

If he keeps developing like this, you could see him become one of the top two-way shortstops in baseball by 2027. That’s not out of the question—he’s already showing flashes of elite defense and more pop with the bat every season.