When you hear "pro athlete," your brain probably goes straight to supercars and mansions. We see the $300 million contracts and think everyone in a uniform is set for life. But for guys like Will Matthiessen, the reality is a whole lot more grounded. Honestly, tracking Will Matthiessen net worth is less about counting millions and more about understanding the grind of a high-level prospect.
Matthiessen was a titan at Stanford. A literal 6-foot-6 two-way threat who could crush a ball into the bleachers and then hop on the mound to blow heat past a hitter. That kind of talent gets you noticed. In 2019, the Pittsburgh Pirates called his name in the 6th round. That moment came with a check, sure, but it wasn't the kind of "never work again" money the media loves to hype up.
The $261,200 Starting Point
Let’s look at the hard numbers. When Matthiessen signed with the Pirates, he landed a signing bonus of $261,200.
For a 21-year-old, that’s a massive win. But you've gotta remember that taxes and agent fees eat a huge chunk of that before it even hits the bank account. Agents usually take 4-5%. Uncle Sam takes his cut. What’s left is a nice cushion, but not a fortune.
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During his time in the minors—stretching from the West Virginia Black Bears up to the Double-A Altoona Curve—salary was a different story. Until very recently, minor league pay was notoriously low. We're talking "sharing an apartment with five teammates and eating PB&J" low.
- 2019-2021: Average monthly pay for Class A players was roughly $1,100 to $1,500.
- 2022-2023: Pay bumped up significantly thanks to new CBA rules, but still capped out around $30,000 to $35,000 for a full season in Double-A.
When you factor in the $261,200 bonus and about four seasons of professional salary, Matthiessen's total career earnings from baseball sit somewhere around **$350,000 to $400,000**.
Will Matthiessen Net Worth: Breaking Down the Assets
Net worth isn't just a salary tally. It’s what you keep. Matthiessen isn't just a ballplayer; he’s a Stanford-educated guy who majored in Management Science and Engineering.
Basically, he’s smart.
Most estimates place Will Matthiessen net worth at approximately $250,000 to $500,000 as of 2026. This takes into account the fact that he's officially listed on the Voluntarily Retired List as of March 2024.
He walked away from the game at 26. That might seem young, but in the world of minor league ball, it's a strategic move. He had a solid career—hitting 33 home runs and driving in 157 runs across 240 games—but the path to the Big Leagues is a bottleneck.
Why he likely has a stable financial floor:
- Educational Leverage: A degree from Stanford is arguably worth more than a 6th-round signing bonus in the long run.
- Conservative Spending: Most guys drafted in those middle rounds know the money has to last. There weren't reports of flashy lifestyles here.
- Post-Baseball Transition: Since retiring, he has the pedigree to enter the tech or finance sectors, where starting salaries for Stanford engineering grads often rival what he was making in Double-A.
The Reality of the "Retired" Status
It’s kinda interesting to look at why a player like Matthiessen retires when he's still in his prime. In 2023, he spent time with the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Altoona. He was still hitting homers—12 of them that year—but his batting average dipped to .146 in Double-A.
Professional baseball is a job. When the "return on investment" of your time starts to look shaky compared to what you could do with a world-class degree, the math changes. Will Matthiessen net worth today is more likely being built in a boardroom or a tech hub than on a diamond.
What We Can Learn From His Financial Path
A lot of people think minor leaguers are millionaires. They aren't. Matthiessen’s journey shows that even "successful" draft picks have to be smart with their cash.
If you're looking at his story as a blueprint, the takeaway is clear: diversify your skills. He didn't just play ball; he got the degree. That degree is the insurance policy that keeps his net worth growing even after the cleats are hung up.
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If you are tracking the finances of former prospects, keep an eye on their LinkedIn profiles, not just their Statcast data. Often, the real wealth starts accumulating the moment they stop playing.
Next Steps for Research:
- Review the MLB Minor League Housing Policy changes from 2022 to see how they impacted player savings.
- Look into the Stanford Alumni Network salary averages for Management Science and Engineering to estimate his current earning potential.
- Check the Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions logs for any future coaching or scouting roles he might take on, which would add to his professional earnings.