What is Major League Baseball?
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the professional baseball organization in North America, comprising of 30 teams: 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. It is the oldest of the major professional sports leagues and is considered the “gold standard” in baseball. MLB is divided into two leagues, the American League and the National League, with 15 teams in each.
MLB Salary Basics
The salaries of MLB players are determined by the collective bargaining agreement between the MLB Players Association and the MLB. The agreement sets the parameters for the minimum and maximum salaries for players and the salary structures for all players, including the lowest paid players.
What is the Minimum Salary for MLB Players?
The minimum salary for players in MLB is determined according to the collective bargaining agreement. All players with one year or less of major league service are subject to the minimum salary, which is $563,500 for the 2021 season.
What is the Lowest Paid Player in MLB?
The lowest paid player in MLB is the player with the least service time and the lowest salary. This is usually the rookie player who has just been drafted or signed by a team. The 2021 season saw the lowest paid player in MLB be San Diego Padres rookie infielder Jake Cronenworth, who earned the league minimum salary of $563,500.
Who Are the Lowest Paid Players in Each MLB Team?
American League
- Baltimore Orioles: Catcher Adley Rutschman, $563,500
- Boston Red Sox: Pitcher Tanner Houck, $563,500
- Chicago White Sox: Pitcher Garrett Crochet, $563,500
- Cleveland Indians: Pitcher Logan Allen, $563,500
- Detroit Tigers: Pitcher Tarik Skubal, $563,500
- Houston Astros: Infielder Taylor Jones, $563,500
- Kansas City Royals: Infielder Nicky Lopez, $563,500
- Los Angeles Angels: Pitcher Griffin Canning, $563,500
- Minnesota Twins: Pitcher Jordan Balazovic, $563,500
- New York Yankees: Infielder/Outfielder Thairo Estrada, $563,500
- Oakland Athletics: Pitcher Daulton Jefferies, $563,500
- Seattle Mariners: Pitcher Justin Dunn, $563,500
- Tampa Bay Rays: Infielder/Outfielder Vidal Brujan, $563,500
- Texas Rangers: Pitcher Cole Winn, $563,500
- Toronto Blue Jays: Infielder Cavan Biggio, $563,500
National League
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Pitcher Zac Gallen, $563,500
- Atlanta Braves: Pitcher Ian Anderson, $563,500
- Chicago Cubs: Infielder Nico Hoerner, $563,500
- Cincinnati Reds: Pitcher Tejay Antone, $563,500
- Colorado Rockies: Pitcher Ryan Rolison, $563,500
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Pitcher Dustin May, $563,500
- Miami Marlins: Pitcher Sixto Sanchez, $563,500
- Milwaukee Brewers: Pitcher Devin Williams, $563,500
- New York Mets: Pitcher David Peterson, $563,500
- Philadelphia Phillies: Pitcher Spencer Howard, $563,500
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Pitcher Mitch Keller, $563,500
- St. Louis Cardinals: Pitcher Matthew Liberatore, $563,500
- San Diego Padres: Infielder Jake Cronenworth, $563,500
- San Francisco Giants: Pitcher Logan Webb, $563,500
- Washington Nationals: Pitcher Erick Fedde, $563,500
Long-Term Contracts for Low-Salary Players
Although the league minimum salary for players has not changed significantly in recent years, some teams have signed players to long-term contracts. These contracts often include clauses that will increase the player’s salary as they progress in their career, such as performance or service time bonuses.
How Do Low-Salary Players Make Money?
Low-salary players may supplement their income through endorsements and other marketing opportunities. These endorsements can come from sports apparel and equipment companies, as well as other non-sports related businesses. Additionally, players may receive bonuses from the team for performing well, such as winning awards or making the All-Star team.
What is the Average Salary for MLB Players?
The average salary for MLB players is $4.36 million, according to the players’ association. The highest-paid players in the league make significantly more than the league minimum, with some players making more than $30 million per season.
How Does the Salary of Low-Salary Players Compare to the Average?
The salary of low-salary players is significantly lower than the league average, but still higher than the league minimum. This is due to the fact that players with more service time, or those with better performance records, will typically command a higher salary than the league minimum.
Conclusion
The lowest paid Major League Baseball player is the rookie player who has just been drafted or signed by a team, and earns the league minimum salary of $563,500. This salary is significantly lower than the league average, but still higher than the league minimum. Low-salary players may supplement their income through endorsements and other marketing opportunities, as well as through bonuses from the team.