Joey Cantillo Bio
Joseph Lopaka Cantillo (born December 18, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024 and has quickly established himself as a promising talent in the league. Known for his strong pitching skills, Cantillo has shown potential to become a key player for the Guardians in the coming years.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Lopaka Cantillo was born in the United States and grew up in Kailua, Hawaii. He attended Kailua High School, where he first developed his passion for baseball. During his senior year, he was recognized as the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year for Hawaii, showcasing his talent with a remarkable 5–1 record and a 1.24 earned run average (ERA). His impressive performance at the high school level led him to commit to play college baseball at the University of Kentucky.
Path to Baseball
Joey Cantillo’s journey to professional baseball began when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 16th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Padres for a $302,500 signing bonus, marking the start of his professional career. Cantillo made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Padres, where he pitched eight innings with a 4.50 ERA. In 2018, he continued to develop his skills in the Arizona League, achieving a 2.18 ERA over 11 games and striking out 58 batters in 45+1⁄3 innings.
Joey Cantillo Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
After his initial years in the minors, Cantillo spent the majority of the 2019 season with the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Single-A Midwest League. He had a standout season, earning Midwest League Pitcher of the Week honors three times and Pitcher of the Month honors for June. He finished the season with a 9–3 record and a 1.98 ERA, striking out 128 batters over 98 innings. In 2020, Cantillo was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of a deal for pitcher Mike Clevinger. Unfortunately, he did not play that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Cantillo began the 2021 season on the injured list but returned to pitch for the Akron RubberDucks later that year. In 2022, he had a strong season with a 1.93 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 60+2⁄3 innings. His performance earned him a spot on the Guardians’ 40-man roster in November 2022, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. In 2023, he was promoted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and was selected to represent the Guardians at the All-Star Futures Game. In 2024, Cantillo made his MLB debut against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched 3+1⁄3 innings. He finished his rookie season with a 4.89 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 38+2⁄3 innings.
Notable Works and Milestones
Joey Cantillo’s signature work includes his impressive performance in the minor leagues, which set the stage for his MLB debut. He has been recognized for his pitching skills, earning accolades such as the American League Rookie of the Month in September 2025, where he recorded a 1.55 ERA and 28 strikeouts in five starts.
Joey Cantillo Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Joey Cantillo has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his time in the minor leagues and his early MLB career.
Joey Cantillo Awards Won
Despite being early in his career, Joey Cantillo has already achieved notable milestones that highlight his potential as a future star in Major League Baseball.
Joey Cantillo Family
Information about Joey Cantillo’s family is limited. His father is a naval officer of Italian and Irish descent, while his mother is a nurse of Guyanese descent. He is named after the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio.
Personal Life
Joey Cantillo maintains a low profile regarding his personal life. As of now, there are no public details available about his relationships or children.