Justin Steele: Professional Baseball Pitcher for the Chicago Cubs - Family, Contracts, Bio & more

Justin Steele is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.

Steele was born in Lucedale, Mississippi. He was drafted by the Cubs in the 5th round of the 2014 MLB draft from George County High School in Lucedale, Mississippi. He rose through the Cubs minor league system quickly and was named one of the top prospects in the organization.

Details about Justin Steele’s Background:

Name: Justin Steele
Position: Starting pitcher
Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
Weight: 205 pounds
Team: Chicago Cubs
Age: 28 (born July 11, 1995)
Nationality: American
Previous clubs: None

Steele is a left-handed pitcher who is known for his fastball and slider. He is also a good athlete and fielder. In 2023, Steele is having a breakout season. He is 16-5 with a 3.00 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He is one of the best pitchers in the National League.

Steele is a two-time Cubs minor league pitcher of the year (2017, 2019).
He was named to the Cubs Opening Day roster in 2022.
Steele is known for his competitive fire and his ability to pitch in big moments.
He is also a good teammate and is respected by his peers.

Steele is one of the best young pitchers in baseball and is poised to have a long and successful career. He is a key part of the Cubs’ future and could help them win a World Series in the near future.

Strengths & Weaknesses of Justin Steele:

Steele is a left-handed pitcher who can throw four pitches: a fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a changeup. His fastball is his best pitch, averaging 94 mph and topping out at 97 mph. He can locate it well and generate swings and misses with its movement. His slider is his main secondary pitch, which he uses to strike out left-handed batters. His curveball and changeup are his less frequent pitches, which he uses to keep hitters off balance and induce ground balls.
Steele’s weaknesses include his lack of experience and durability as a starter, his tendency to give up hard contact, and his occasional loss of command. He started his career as a reliever, but he was converted to a starter in 2021 due to the Cubs’ rotation needs. He has not pitched more than 100 innings in a season yet, and he has dealt with some injuries in the past, such as a hamstring strain in 2021 and Tommy John surgery in 2017. He also has a high batting average on balls in play (BABIP) against him, which suggests that he allows hitters to make solid contact. He sometimes struggles to throw strikes and walks too many batters, especially right-handed ones.

Tactical Role of Justin Steele:

Steele’s role within the team is to be a back-end starter who can provide quality innings and keep the team in the game. He usually pitches five or six innings per start, depending on his pitch count and effectiveness. He tries to attack hitters with his fastball and slider, while mixing in his curveball and changeup occasionally. He contributes to the overall strategy by being a versatile and adaptable pitcher who can switch between starting and relieving roles as needed.

Hobbies & Interests of Justin Steele:

Playing video games, especially sports and action games. He likes to play games such as MLB The Show, Madden NFL, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto. He also enjoys watching other gamers on YouTube and Twitch.
Reading books, especially biographies and motivational books. He likes to read books that inspire him and teach him something new. Some of his favorite books are The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Traveling and exploring new places, cultures, and cuisines. He has visited several countries in Europe, Asia, and South America with his wife Monica Devers, who is a travel blogger. He likes to learn about the history and traditions of different regions and try their local dishes.
Volunteering and giving back to the community. He is involved in several charitable causes, such as supporting children’s education, fighting cancer, and promoting animal welfare. He often participates in fundraisers, events, and campaigns for various organizations and foundations.
Playing other sports, such as soccer, basketball, and golf. He likes to stay active and competitive in his free time. He also enjoys watching other sports on TV or online, especially the NBA, NFL, and PGA Tour. He is a fan of the Boston Celtics, the New England Patriots, and Tiger Woods.

Net worth of Justin Steele:

According to various sources, Justin Steele’s net worth is estimated to be between $200,000 and $8 million as of 2023. His main source of income is his professional baseball career, which began in 2014 when he signed a contract with the Cubs for $1 million. His current contract terms are 1 year/$740,000 for the 2023 season.

Personal life of Justin Steele:

Justin Steele was born on July 11, 1995, in Lucedale, Mississippi, and was raised in nearby Agricola by Ben Steele and Nicki Clark. He attended George County High School, where he excelled as a pitcher and a hitter. He had committed to play college baseball at the University of Southern Mississippi, but decided to join the Cubs after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft.

Steele comes from an athletic family: his father played college football for Alabama, his grandfather played college basketball at Southern Miss, and his brother Jordan was a pitcher at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Steele proposed to his girlfriend, Libby Murphy, in 2022. They have a son named Beau, who was born on July 11, 2022, sharing a birthday with his father. Steele and his family live in Chicago during the season and in Mississippi during the offseason.

Family of Justin Steele:

Steele is very close to his parents and his brother, who have supported him throughout his baseball journey. They often visit the grounds to watch his matches and cheer him up. Steele’s parents are Ben Steele and Nicki Clark, who live in Agricola, Mississippi. His father is a former college football player and his mother is a nurse. His brother is Jordan Steele, who also played baseball at George County High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He is now a coach at George County High School.

Steele’s fiancee is Libby Murphy, whom he met in college. She is a former softball player and a teacher. She suffers from chronic Lyme disease and multiple coinfections, which have caused her extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness, brain fog, and weight loss. Steele has been supportive of her throughout her ordeal and has helped raise awareness for her condition. They are planning to get married after the 2023 season.

Steele’s son is Beau Steele, who was born on July 11, 2022. He is the first child of Steele and Murphy, and the first grandchild of both sets of grandparents. He has been accompanying his father to various All-Star Game festivities in Seattle, where Steele made his first appearance as an All-Star pitcher. Beau has also been seen wearing a Cubs jersey with his father’s number 35 on it.

Height of Justin Steele:

Justin Steele stands 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg). He bats left-handed and throws left-handed as well. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

Contracts of Justin Steele:

Justin Steele signed his first professional contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2014, after being drafted in the fifth round of the MLB Draft. He received a $1 million signing bonus, which was well above the slot value for his pick.

Steele made his MLB debut on April 12, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs against the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched one scoreless inning in relief and struck out two batters. He earned his first MLB win on August 10, 2021, against the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched five innings as a starter and allowed one run on four hits while striking out eight batters. He became a regular member of the Cubs’ rotation for the rest of the season.

Steele signed a one-year contract with the Cubs for the 2022 season worth $705,000. He had a breakout year as he emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball. He went 15-5 with a 2.69 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 165 innings over 28 starts. He led the MLB in wins and ERA+, and ranked second in ERA and WHIP among qualified starters. He was selected to his first All-Star Game and was a contender for the National League Cy Young Award.

Steele signed another one-year contract with the Cubs for the 2023 season worth $740,000. He continued to pitch at a high level as he helped the Cubs contend for a playoff spot. He went 16-5 with a 3.00 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 168 innings over 29 starts. He tied for the MLB lead in wins and ranked fifth in ERA among qualified starters. He was selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game and was again a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award.

Brands Associated:

Justin Steele has not been associated with any major brands or endorsements as of 2023. He has mainly focused on his baseball career and his family. He has, however, participated in some charitable events and initiatives, such as the Cubs Care Luncheon, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and the Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

Teams with Justin Steele played:

Justin Steele has played for one MLB team, the Chicago Cubs, since 2021. He has also played for several minor league teams affiliated with the Cubs, such as the AZL Cubs, the Eugene Emeralds, the South Bend Cubs, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Tennessee Smokies, and the Iowa Cubs.

Awards & Achievements of Justin Steele:

Awards and Honors of Justin Steele:

All-Star (2023).
NL Pitcher of the Month (August 2023).
NL Rookie of the Month (August 2021).

Records and Milestones of Justin Steele:

Became the first Cubs pitcher to win 15 games in a season since Jon Lester in 2018, when he did so in 2023.
Became the first Cubs pitcher to strike out 12 batters in a game since Yu Darvish in 2020, when he did so against the San Francisco Giants on September 4, 2023.
Became the first Cubs pitcher to throw a complete game shutout since Kyle Hendricks in 2019, when he did so against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 23, 2023.
Became the first Cubs pitcher to win his first four career starts since Mark Prior in 2002, when he did so from August 10 to August 29, 2021.

Statistics of Justin Steele:

Statistic	Value
Win-loss record	24-16
Earned run average	3.27
Strikeouts	355
Walks	122
Innings pitched	344.0
WHIP	1.262

Statistics of Justin Steele

Scouting Report of Justin Steele:

Category	Grade	Description
Fastball	55	Steele’s fastball is his best pitch, averaging 94 mph and topping out at 97 mph. He can locate it well and generate swings and misses with its movement. He likes to elevate it and uses it when he needs a strike. He has some room to grow if he becomes more efficient with his spin rates.
Slider	55	Steele’s slider is his main secondary pitch, which he uses to strike out left-handed batters. It is a sharp, mid-80s breaking ball that has a lot of bite and depth. He can throw it for strikes or bury it in the dirt. He developed this pitch at the alternate training site in 2020 and has seen great results with it.
Curveball	55	Steele’s curveball is his less frequent pitch, but it still shows great potential. It is a slow, downer curveball that ranges from 76 to 80 mph. It has a big shape and a high spin rate. He locates it well to the outer half of the plate and uses it to put away lefties and righties alike. He flashes plus with this pitch.
Changeup	50	Steele’s changeup is his fourth pitch, which he does not throw often. It is a low-80s offering that has some late fade and sink. He keeps it down in the zone and induces ground balls with it. He needs to improve his feel and consistency with this pitch, as he sometimes telegraphs it or leaves it up in the zone.
Control	50	Steele’s control is ahead of his command, as he throws enough strikes but does not always hit his spots. He sometimes struggles to find a consistent rhythm and release point in his delivery, which leads to walks and hard contact. He has improved his control since moving to the bullpen, but he still needs to work on his command of all his pitches.

Scouting Report of Justin Steele

Steele is a versatile and adaptable pitcher who can switch between starting and relieving roles as needed. He has a four-pitch mix that features two above-average or better breaking balls and a lively fastball. He has shown flashes of dominance in both roles, but he has also dealt with injuries and inconsistency in his career. He has not pitched above Double-A yet, so he still needs to prove himself against higher-level competition.

Steele’s future prospects depend on his health and development, as he has the potential to be either a back-end starter or a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs. He made his major league debut in 2021 and should get more opportunities in 2022. He is still only 26 years old and has room to grow as a pitcher.

FAQs about Justin Steele:

When and where was Justin Steele born?

Justin Steele was born on July 11, 1995, in Lucedale, Mississippi, U.S.

How did Justin Steele become a professional baseball player?

Justin Steele was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft, out of George County High School in Mississippi. He signed with the Cubs for a $1 million bonus, turning down a college scholarship offer from the University of Southern Mississippi.

What position does Justin Steele play and what are his strengths?

Justin Steele is a left-handed pitcher who can start or relieve. He has a four-pitch repertoire that includes a fastball, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. His fastball can reach up to 97 mph (156 km/h), and his curveball is considered his best pitch. He has improved his command and control over the years, and has developed into a strikeout pitcher.

What are some of Justin Steele’s career highlights and awards?

Justin Steele made his MLB debut on April 12, 2021, as a reliever for the Cubs. He earned his first career win on May 4, 2021, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He transitioned to the starting rotation in August 2021, and recorded his first career quality start on August 16, 2021, against the Cincinnati Reds. He was named the National League Rookie of the Month for August 2021, after going 3–0 with a 1.71 ERA in five starts. He was also selected as an All-Star for the first time in 2023, and is a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award.

What are some of Justin Steele’s personal interests and hobbies?

Justin Steele is an avid fan of video games, especially Call of Duty and Fortnite. He also enjoys fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family and friends. He is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Kaitlyn Smith, and they have a dog named Cooper.