What is Aroldis Chapman's Net Worth and Salary?
Aroldis Chapman is a Cuban-American professional baseball pitcher with a net worth of $50 million. As of 2023, Chapman plays for the MLB's Texas Rangers. Prior to joining the Rangers, he played for several other MLB teams, including the Chicago Cubs, where he won the 2016 World Series. Known for his incredibly fast pitches, Chapman holds the record for the fastest recorded pitch in MLB history at 105.1 mph.
Contracts & Career Earnings
Chapman ranks among the highest-paid relief pitchers in baseball history, with estimated career earnings exceeding $130 million. His most substantial contract was a five-year, $86 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2016. His highest single-season salary was $19.5 million, earned in 2018 with the Yankees.
Early Life
Aroldis Chapman was born on February 28, 1988, in Holguín, Cuba. He grew up with two sisters and is of Jamaican descent on his father’s side. At 15, a friend invited him to join a local baseball team, where he transitioned from first baseman to pitcher, demonstrating a remarkable throwing arm.
Career Beginnings in Cuba
Chapman started his professional career in 2006 with the Holguín Sabuesos in Cuba, recording a 3.74 ERA and 365 strikeouts. Although primarily a starting pitcher, he made 11 relief appearances in the 2007 season. That same year, he earned a gold medal at the Pan American Games and a silver medal at the Baseball World Cup with the Cuban national team.
Defection
After a failed attempt to defect from Cuba in 2008, Chapman was suspended for the rest of the season. However, in 2009, he successfully defected during the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Chapman later established residency in Andorra.
Cincinnati Reds
In early 2010, Chapman signed a six-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds and started the season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. He joined the Reds in August and set a new MLB record for the fastest pitch speed at 105.1 mph in September. Chapman finished the 2011 season with a 3.60 ERA and 71 strikeouts. The following seasons saw continued success, including his first All-Star Game selection in 2012.
Despite a skull fracture in 2014, he returned to post a 2.00 ERA and 106 strikeouts that season. In 2015, he earned his third All-Star selection, leading to a one-year contract extension with the Reds.
New York Yankees, 2016
Chapman was traded to the New York Yankees in late 2015. Despite a suspension for a domestic violence incident, he made a notable impact, including tying his fastest pitch record at 105.1 mph.
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Chicago Cubs
Midway through the 2016 season, Chapman was traded to the Chicago Cubs, contributing significantly to their World Series victory, the first for the Cubs since 1908.
New York Yankees, 2017-2022
Chapman returned to the Yankees in late 2016 under a five-year contract. Highlights during this period include recording the fastest pitch in the MLB at 104.3 mph in 2017. In 2021, he achieved significant milestones such as his 300th career save and 1,000th career strikeout. However, his tenure with the Yankees saw ups and downs, including a battle with COVID-19 and a suspension in 2020.
Kansas City Royals
Chapman signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals in early 2023. He performed well, maintaining a 2.45 ERA in 31 appearances.
Texas Rangers
In June 2023, Chapman was traded to the Texas Rangers.
Personal Life
In 2009, Chapman defected from Cuba, leaving behind his family, including his girlfriend Raidelmis and his newborn daughter Ashanty. They were reunited in the United States later. He has a son named Atticus, born in 2014. Chapman became an American citizen in 2016. In late 2015, he was involved in a domestic violence incident, but no charges were filed due to inconsistent reports and insufficient evidence.
