Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the most popular professional sports in the United States. It is also one of the most lucrative sports, with players making millions of dollars a year. But while some players are making millions, others are barely making enough to get by. So who is the lowest paid MLB player right now?
Overview of the MLB Salary Structure
Before we explore who the lowest paid MLB player is right now, let’s take a look at the salary structure in the league. MLB players are paid a fixed salary that is determined by their team’s payroll budget. There are also performance bonuses, signing bonuses, and other incentives that players can receive.
The minimum salary for a MLB player is set at $563,500 for the 2020 season. This is the lowest amount that a player can make, though most players make significantly more than this. The average MLB salary for the 2020 season is around $4 million.
However, the salary structure is not the same for all players. Some players, who are considered to be superstars, can make tens of millions of dollars a year. For example, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract in 2019.
Who is the Lowest Paid MLB Player Right Now?
So who is the lowest paid MLB player right now? According to Spotrac, the lowest paid MLB player in 2020 is Seattle Mariners infielder Dylan Moore. Moore is making just $563,500 this season, which is the league minimum.
Moore was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the Brewers in 2018, but was traded to the Mariners in 2019. He has played in 82 games for the Mariners in 2020, batting .212 with three home runs and nine RBIs.
Moore is not the only player making the league minimum. There are currently over 50 players in the MLB that are making the minimum salary this season. Players like Tyler Mahle of the Cincinnati Reds and Kyle Tucker of the Houston Astros are also making the league minimum.
Conclusion
So who is the lowest paid MLB player right now? The answer is Seattle Mariners infielder Dylan Moore. Moore is making the league minimum of $563,500 this season, which is the lowest salary that any player can make in the MLB. He is one of over 50 players in the league making the league minimum this season.
It is important to remember that while Moore is the lowest paid MLB player, he is still making significantly more than the average American worker. In fact, the average annual salary in the U.S. is around $50,000. So while Moore may not be making millions of dollars a year, he is still doing pretty well for himself.