The Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the biggest professional sports leagues in the United States. It is known for its high salaries, and the amount of money that MLB players make per game is no exception. In this article, we will explore the average salary of MLB players and the factors that can influence how much they make per game.
Average MLB Player Salary
The average salary of an MLB player in 2019 was around $4.36 million per year. This means that the average player earned around $17,000 per game. However, this figure does not include any bonuses or incentives that the players may receive.
The top-earning players in the MLB make significantly more than the average player. The highest-paid player in 2019 was Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who earned an annual salary of $36 million. This works out to around $146,000 per game!
Factors That Affect Player Salaries
While the average salary of an MLB player is around $17,000 per game, there are several factors that can affect how much money a player makes in a given game. These include:
Performance:
Performance is the most important factor in determining a player’s salary. Players who perform well will be rewarded with higher salaries, while those who perform poorly may see their salaries decrease.
Position:
The position a player plays can also affect their salary. For example, pitchers generally make more money than position players.
Experience:
Experience is another factor that can influence a player’s salary. Players who have been in the league for longer tend to make more money than those who are new to the league.
Contracts:
The type of contract a player has can also affect their salary. Players who have long-term contracts tend to make more money than those with short-term contracts.
Bonuses:
Players can also receive bonuses for performance-based achievements, such as hitting a certain number of home runs or winning an MVP award. These bonuses can significantly increase a player’s salary.
Team Success:
The success of a team can also influence a player’s salary. Players who are part of successful teams tend to make more money than those on struggling teams.
Conclusion
MLB players make a significant amount of money per game, with the average player earning around $17,000. However, there are several factors that can influence how much a player makes, including performance, position, experience, contracts, bonuses, and team success.