Joey Estes Bio
Joseph Lee Estes, known professionally as Joey Estes, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on October 8, 2001, he made his MLB debut in 2023 after progressing through the minor league systems of two organizations. A right-handed starting pitcher, Estes has drawn attention for his strikeout ability and poise on the mound.
Early Life and Background
Joey Estes grew up in the Antelope Valley region of Southern California and attended Paraclete High School in Lancaster, California. As a freshman in 2016, he posted a 1.05 earned run average, showing early promise as a pitcher. He continued to develop throughout high school, going 9-1 with a 0.31 ERA over ninety innings during his sophomore season.
In his senior year of 2019, Estes went 8-0 with a 0.91 ERA and recorded 124 strikeouts, cementing his reputation as one of the top prep arms in the region. His strong senior campaign drew the attention of Major League scouts, ultimately leading to his selection in the 2019 MLB Draft. By that point, he had already established himself as a polished, competitive pitcher ready for the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Baseball
Estes was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 16th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. Rather than attend Long Beach State University, where he had committed to play college baseball, he signed with the Braves organization and began his professional career. He made his debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves, where he worked ten innings in his initial taste of pro ball.
The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping Estes off the mound for a full calendar year. He returned in 2021 with the Augusta GreenJackets of the Low-A East, starting twenty games and posting a 3-6 record with a 2.91 ERA and 127 strikeouts over 99 innings. His .181 batting average against ranked ninth in all of Minor League Baseball, and he was twice named Low-A East Pitcher of the Week before earning the league’s Pitcher of the Year honors.
Joey Estes Career
Atlanta Braves Organization (2019-2022)
Estes spent the early portion of his career in the Atlanta Braves system after being drafted in 2019. Following his abbreviated debut in the Gulf Coast League, the cancelled 2020 season delayed his progress, but he bounced back strongly with Augusta in 2021. His performance there demonstrated the strikeout stuff and command that had made him a notable draft prospect out of Paraclete High School.
On March 14, 2022, the Braves traded Estes, along with Shea Langeliers, Ryan Cusick, and Cristian Pache, to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for first baseman Matt Olson. The trade sent Estes to a new organization and set the stage for his next phase of development within the A’s farm system.
Oakland Athletics Minor Leagues (2022-2023)
After joining Oakland, Estes was assigned to the Lansing Lugnuts of the High-A Midwest League for the 2022 season. Over twenty starts, he went 3-7 with a 4.55 ERA and 92 strikeouts across 91 innings, adjusting to a new organization while continuing to refine his pitching arsenal.
To open the 2023 season, Estes was assigned to the Midland RockHounds of the Double-A Texas League. In early August, he was promoted to the Las Vegas Aviators of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Across 27 games and 23 starts between the two affiliates, he posted a combined 9-6 record and 3.74 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 137 innings of work, positioning himself for a call-up to the major leagues.
Oakland Athletics Major League Debut (2023-Present)
On September 20, 2023, Estes was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. In two starts for Oakland, he surrendered nine runs, eight of which were earned, on 12 hits while striking out seven batters over 10 innings pitched. Despite the initial numbers, the debut marked a major milestone in his professional journey.
Estes was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the 2024 season, but he returned to the majors later that year. On July 3, 2024, he threw a complete-game shutout against the Los Angeles Angels, striking out four batters and issuing one walk in a 5-0 victory. The performance was a signature moment that showcased his endurance and ability to dominate a lineup over nine innings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Estes’s complete-game shutout against the Los Angeles Angels on July 3, 2024, stands as one of the defining achievements of his young major league career. He has also drawn recognition for his strikeout totals in the minor leagues, including 127 strikeouts in 2021 and 131 in 2023. On August 17, 2025, an unusual incident occurred when Estes, then pitching for Triple-A Las Vegas, threw a fastball at the shoulder of Victor Robles of the Tacoma Rainiers during a rehab appearance, leading to a benches-clearing moment in which Robles threw his bat toward the mound.
Joey Estes Family
Personal Life
Joey Estes was born on October 8, 2001, and raised in the Lancaster, California area, where he attended Paraclete High School. Public details about his parents, siblings, and personal relationships have not been widely reported. He continues to be identified professionally by his given name Joseph Lee Estes.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging year for Joey Estes. He made three appearances, including two starts, for the Oakland Athletics, struggling to an 0-2 record with a 9.82 ERA and six strikeouts over 11 innings of work. The majority of his season was spent with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, where he worked to find consistency on the mound.
On September 18, 2025, Estes underwent surgery to address a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury that ended his season prematurely. The procedure was a significant setback for the young pitcher, who had been working his way back from earlier inconsistencies. His recovery and rehabilitation will be a focal point heading into the next chapter of his career.
Looking ahead, Estes remains a pitcher the Oakland Athletics organization views as part of its long-term plans. With his strikeout ability already demonstrated at every minor league level, his development will center on health, command, and consistency. The coming seasons will be critical in determining whether he can establish himself as a reliable member of the Athletics’ major league rotation.