Justin Sterner Bio
Justin James Sterner (born August 29, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays and wears number 60 for the Athletics. A right-handed pitcher who came up through the minor leagues as an undrafted free agent, Sterner has built his career on steady progression across multiple levels of professional baseball.
Born and raised in Southern California, Sterner developed his game at Dana Hills High School before continuing his baseball journey at Brigham Young University. His path to the majors included time in the Miami Marlins organization, a trade to the Tampa Bay Rays system, and a debut season in 2024. By 2025, he had established himself as a reliable arm in the Athletics bullpen.
Early Life and Background
Justin James Sterner was born on August 29, 1996, and grew up in Dana Point, California. He graduated from Dana Hills High School, where he played baseball and began developing the fundamentals that would later define his professional career. Southern California’s competitive amateur baseball scene gave him early exposure to high-level competition.
After high school, Sterner completed a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Apia, Samoa. The experience marked an important period of personal growth before he committed to collegiate athletics. He later enrolled at Brigham Young University, where he pitched for the BYU Cougars. His time with the Cougars helped him refine his mechanics and prepared him for the rigors of professional baseball.
Path to Baseball
Sterner’s route to professional baseball was unconventional. After his college career at Brigham Young University, he went unselected in the 2020 MLB Draft. On August 3, 2020, he signed with the Miami Marlins as an undrafted free agent, securing his first opportunity in affiliated baseball.
The 2020 minor league season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so Sterner did not appear in a game that year. He made his professional debut in 2021 with the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads, posting a 1.38 ERA across seven appearances. The Marlins later promoted him to the High-A Beloit Snappers, where he recorded a 7.36 ERA with 10 strikeouts in five games. On July 3, 2021, the Marlins traded Sterner and cash considerations to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for David Hess, redirecting his development path.
Justin Sterner Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Following his trade to the Tampa Bay Rays organization, Sterner finished the 2021 season with the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods and the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. The transition gave him valuable experience at multiple levels and allowed him to adjust to new coaching and competition. By the end of his first full professional season, he had logged meaningful innings across three different affiliates.
In 2022, Sterner split the campaign between Montgomery and the Triple-A Durham Bulls. Across 38 appearances for the two affiliates, he accumulated a 6–2 record and a 3.94 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 48 innings of work. The performance demonstrated his ability to handle a heavy workload and set the stage for a return to Durham in 2023.
Tampa Bay Rays Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Sterner played 2023 back with Montgomery and Durham, combining for a 5.27 ERA with 71 strikeouts and three saves in 34 total appearances. While his ERA rose, his strikeout totals showed continued swing-and-miss stuff, and he added experience as a multi-inning reliever. The year positioned him as a depth option within the Rays’ pitching pipeline.
He began the 2024 season in Durham, compiling a 3.60 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 25 innings pitched. On May 31, 2024, the Rays selected him to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. During his rookie campaign, Sterner made two appearances, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits with four strikeouts over four innings pitched. Although his MLB sample was small, it marked the realization of a journey that began as an undrafted signing.
Athletics Era (2024–Present)
On November 4, 2024, Sterner was claimed off waivers by the Athletics, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move gave him an opportunity to compete for a more permanent role at the major league level. He joined an Athletics organization in transition and quickly made an impact out of the bullpen.
On April 25, 2025, Sterner recorded his first career win after tossing 1⅓ scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox. He did not give up a run in his first 18⅔ innings pitched for the Athletics, an impressive opening stretch that highlighted his command and consistency. Through the early portion of the 2025 campaign, he had become a trusted option for the Athletics’ relief corps.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sterner works primarily as a reliever who can handle multiple innings when needed. His early Athletics tenure showed strong command, highlighted by a long scoreless streak to begin his time with the club. He has demonstrated the ability to generate strikeouts while limiting damage, traits that have translated across Single-A, High-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and the major leagues.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sterner’s career milestones include his professional debut with the Jupiter Hammerheads in 2021, his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, and his first MLB win with the Athletics against the Chicago White Sox in 2025. His transition from undrafted free agent to big-league pitcher stands as the defining narrative of his career to date.
Justin Sterner Career Wins
Through his time in the Athletics bullpen, Sterner has accumulated win totals that reflect his development from undrafted free agent to established major league reliever. His first major league victory came on April 25, 2025, against the Chicago White Sox.
MLB Highlights
Sterner’s most significant MLB highlight is his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, followed by his move to the Athletics and his first career win in 2025. His early stretch with the Athletics, in which he did not allow a run across his first 18⅔ innings, ranks among the strongest openings of his professional career.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minor leagues, Sterner posted a 6–2 record across Montgomery and Durham in 2022, giving him his most extensive win totals at the upper levels of the Rays system. He added three saves in 2023 while splitting time between Montgomery and Durham, showing his value in late-inning situations.
Justin Sterner Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Justin Sterner’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Dana Point, California, and attended Dana Hills High School, where his baseball roots were established before college and professional play.
Personal Life
Sterner is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and completed a two-year mission in Apia, Samoa, before attending Brigham Young University. He has kept much of his personal life private, with limited public details about his relationships or residence.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked a turning point in Justin Sterner’s career. Claimed off waivers by the Athletics in November 2024, he quickly earned a place in the bullpen and produced a scoreless opening stretch. By April 25, 2025, he had recorded his first career MLB win against the Chicago White Sox, a milestone that validated his progression through the minors.
Through the early portion of the season, Sterner had become a reliable multi-inning option for the Athletics. His 18⅔-inning scoreless streak to begin his Athletics tenure reflected strong command and an ability to navigate high-leverage situations. The performance positioned him as a potential long-term piece of the club’s relief corps.
Looking ahead, Sterner’s continued development in the Athletics bullpen shapes the outlook for the rest of 2025. With his first MLB win secured and his role expanding, he has the opportunity to build on his early success and solidify a larger role heading into future seasons. His journey from undrafted free agent to major league contributor remains one of the defining storylines of his young career.
