Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States and around the world. It is also one of the highest paying sports, with some of the best-paid athletes in the world playing in Major League Baseball (MLB). But which baseball position makes the most money? This article will look at the average salaries for different baseball positions and which positions provide the highest salary.
Average Salaries for Baseball Positions
The average salary for a professional baseball player varies greatly depending on their experience, skill, and level of play. According to Statista, the average salary for an MLB player in 2020 was $4.36 million.
The biggest earners in the MLB are usually pitchers and outfielders, followed by catchers, first basemen, and second basemen. The salaries for pitchers and outfielders are significantly higher than those for the other positions, due to the fact that they play a more important role in the game.
Pitchers
Pitchers are arguably the most important players in the game, as they are responsible for throwing the ball to the hitter. As such, they are usually the highest paid players in the league. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB pitcher in 2020 was $7.68 million.
Outfielders
Outfielders are responsible for fielding the ball and throwing it to the infielders for an out. They also play a major role in the offense, as they are often responsible for hitting home runs. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB outfielder in 2020 was $6.19 million.
Catchers
Catchers are responsible for receiving the ball from the pitcher and throwing it to the infielders. They are also responsible for calling the pitches and providing defensive support for the infielders. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB catcher in 2020 was $4.25 million.
First Basemen
First basemen are responsible for fielding ground balls and throwing them to the second baseman or shortstop for an out. They are also responsible for hitting home runs and providing offensive support. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB first baseman in 2020 was $4.99 million.
Second Basemen
Second basemen are responsible for fielding ground balls and throwing them to the first baseman or shortstop for an out. They are also responsible for providing offensive support and hitting home runs. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB second baseman in 2020 was $3.88 million.
Third Basemen
Third basemen are responsible for fielding ground balls and throwing them to the second baseman or first baseman for an out. They are also responsible for providing offensive support and hitting home runs. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB third baseman in 2020 was $4.58 million.
Shortstops
Shortstops are responsible for fielding ground balls and throwing them to the second baseman or first baseman for an out. They are also responsible for providing offensive support and hitting home runs. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB shortstop in 2020 was $4.44 million.
Designated Hitters
Designated Hitters (DHs) are responsible for providing offensive support and hitting home runs. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB DH in 2020 was $4.58 million.
Relief Pitchers
Relief pitchers are responsible for coming into the game in the late innings and providing relief for the starting pitcher. They are also responsible for closing out the game and getting the win. According to Spotrac, the average salary of an MLB relief pitcher in 2020 was $3.25 million.
Conclusion
As we can see, the highest paid positions in MLB are pitchers and outfielders. Pitchers have the highest average salary of $7.68 million, followed by outfielders at $6.19 million. Catchers, first basemen, and second basemen are the next highest paid positions, with average salaries of $4.25 million, $4.99 million, and $3.88 million respectively. Designated hitters, third basemen, shortstops, and relief pitchers are all paid less, with average salaries of $4.58 million, $4.58 million, $4.44 million, and $3.25 million respectively.