Justin Steele

Justin Steele's Biography

Born on July 11, 1995, Justin Carl Steele rose to prominence as an esteemed professional baseball pitcher for the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Chicago Cubs. Hailing from Lucedale, Mississippi, Steele spent his formative years under the guidance of his parents, Ben Steele and Nicki Clark, in nearby Agricola. Steele’s fascination with baseball was deeply rooted in his childhood, often practicing baseball with his older brother Jordan in their family backyard.

Steele’s outstanding baseball skills were evident at a very young age. During his sophomore year at George County High School, he remarkably managed to increase his fastball velocity to 90 mph, a feat that immediately gathered the attention of seasoned scouts and recruiters. This prowess continued through his high school career, notably pitching a 7–3 win-loss record and 1.94 earned run average (ERA) with 98 strikeouts in his junior year, alongside spending time as an outfielder and designated hitter.

Even with his commitment to playing college baseball at the University of Southern Mississippi, Steele was drafted 139th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB draft, which he took up with a $1 million signing bonus. The promising young player made his professional debut with the Rookie-level AZL Cubs during the 2014 season and then moved on to play for Class A Short Season Eugene Emeralds the next year, impressively pitching a 2.66 ERA with 38 strikeouts.

Although he faced a brief struggle at the start of the 2016 season, Steele showed his immense resilience bouncing back in 2017 with a stellar record of 6–7 with a 2.92 ERA prior to a season-ending injury. Despite the brief setback, Steele committed to a triumphant return from the injury, playing for the Arizona League Cubs, Myrtle Beach and Tennessee Smokies in 2018. By 2019, he was added to the Cubs’ 40-man roster.

He made his MLB debut in the 2021 season with the Cubs and finished the year with a 4-4 record, notching up 59 strikeouts and a respectable 4.26 ERA. His career continued to ascend, recording a trifecta of stellar performances in 2023, with a 16–5 record, a commendable 3.06 ERA, and 176 strikeouts. Later in that year, he was also chosen as an All-Star and came fifth in the Cy Young Award voting, marking his position as one of the exciting talents in professional baseball.

Despite his promising career, injuries have marred Steele’s journey. A back injury cut short his spectacular 2022 season, and elbow soreness led to his placement on the 15-day injured list in September 2024, having been named the Cubs’ Opening Day starter earlier that year. However, Steele’s passion for the sport remains intact as he continues to contribute to the world of baseball.

Off the field, Steele enjoys personal life with his family. His father and grandfather were both college athletes, encouraging Steele’s love for sports from a young age. His brother Jordan was also a pitcher at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In 2022, Steele proposed to his girlfriend, Libby Murphy, with whom he has a son born in July 2022.

Being versatile, Steele also hosts a podcast on the Barstool Sports network titled “Steele the Show,” further embedding his footprint both within and outside the baseball world. Drawing from his rich life experiences as an athlete and family man, Steele continues to inspire millions of his followers around the globe.