Scott Effross – New York Yankees Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Scott Effross, the right-handed relief pitcher for the New York Yankees, has quietly turned into one of baseball’s more interesting bullpen arms. The sidearm specialist signed a 1-year, $800,000 contract with the Yankees for the 2025 season, keeping his spot on one of baseball’s most storied franchises. With a current net worth around $1,654,662, Effross has steadily built up his finances since breaking into the majors with the Chicago Cubs.

Born December 28, 1993, Effross has had to push through plenty of challenges in his pro career, including Tommy John surgery that kept him off the field for a good chunk of time. At 6’2″ and 202 pounds, the Ohio State product brings a funky delivery and a different look to the mound. His salary has gone up over the years, from earlier deals like a $742,750 contract and a previous $701,500 agreement with the Cubs before New York traded for him.

Early Life and Education

Scott Effross grew up in Twinsburg, Ohio, where his path toward becoming a professional pitcher really began. His early years and education set the stage for his later success in baseball.

Childhood and Family Background

In Twinsburg, Ohio, Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross found his love for baseball pretty young. His hometown, a Cleveland suburb, gave him the space and support he needed to develop as an athlete.

He hasn’t shared much about his parents and siblings, but he’s said more than once that his family played a huge role in his development as a player. Effross spent a lot of time working on his pitching in local parks and on school fields.

That sidearm delivery he’s now known for? He started working on it back in these early days. Friends and coaches remember him as a focused, determined kid—qualities that stuck with him as he moved up the ranks.

Academic Journey

Effross headed to Indiana University, where he juggled a business-related major and his role on the Hoosiers baseball team.

His college performance caught the eyes of MLB scouts. In 2015, the Chicago Cubs picked Effross in the 15th round (443rd overall) after he’d put together some strong seasons at Indiana.

While at Indiana, Effross learned how to manage his time and stay disciplined. That balance proved crucial later on, especially with the unpredictable nature of a sports career. He also valued his education as a backup plan—just in case baseball didn’t work out.

Professors at Indiana remembered him as a hard worker who never let his athletic schedule get in the way of his academics.

Amateur Baseball Career

Scott Effross built up his skills and baseball IQ through high school and college, setting the stage for his professional career.

High School Achievements

At Twinsburg High School, Effross became a standout pitcher and graduated in 2012. In his senior season, he posted a 1.14 ERA and struck out 108 batters over 67 innings. Those numbers earned him All-Conference honors and put him on college recruiters’ radars.

He wasn’t just about the stats, though. Effross helped lead Twinsburg to regional tournaments in his junior and senior years, showing he could handle pressure.

His fastball picked up speed, reaching 90 mph by his senior year, and scouts noticed his control and improving secondary pitches.

College Baseball Experience

Effross took his game to Indiana University, playing four years with the Hoosiers from 2013-2016. He started out as a key bullpen arm and got plenty of experience in different relief roles.

His sophomore year stood out: he posted a 2.47 ERA and helped the Hoosiers reach the NCAA Tournament. Effross showed he could handle different situations, sometimes starting games but mostly thriving in big relief spots.

After a Tommy John surgery in 2015 forced him to redshirt, he bounced back for a strong senior year. That resilience caught the attention of MLB scouts.

By the end of college, Effross had really honed his sidearm delivery, which made him a unique prospect heading into the pros.

Professional Career Overview

Scott Effross built his pro career with persistence and a style all his own, moving from college to the big leagues with the Cubs and then the Yankees.

Draft and Minor League Path

The Chicago Cubs picked Effross in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB Draft after his time at Indiana. His minor league journey wasn’t exactly a straight shot—he spent nearly six years working his way up through the Cubs’ farm system.

He started out as a conventional righty, but in 2019, he switched to a sidearm delivery—a move that changed everything for him. That new arm angle gave hitters fits.

After the switch, his minor league numbers got a lot better. Effross pitched for teams like:

• Iowa Cubs (Triple-A)
• Tennessee Smokies (Double-A)
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A)

Major League Debut

Effross made his MLB debut on August 17, 2021, pitching for the Chicago Cubs against the Milwaukee Brewers. He showed off his new sidearm delivery right away.

In his rookie season, Effross pitched in 14 games for the Cubs and put up solid numbers. He didn’t have blazing velocity, but he got ground balls and kept hitters off balance.

The Cubs traded Effross to the New York Yankees in 2022. He kept developing as a reliever in New York, but injuries started to get in the way.

Chicago Cubs Tenure

Scott Effross started his major league story with the Cubs after they drafted him in 2015. His climb to the big leagues showed how much he could adapt and persevere as a reliever.

Roles and Contributions

Effross debuted for the Cubs on August 22, 2021, after six years in the minors. The right-handed sidearmer quickly became a key bullpen piece thanks to his unusual delivery and knack for getting grounders.

In 2022, Effross became one of the Cubs’ most dependable relievers. He pitched in 47 games, posted a 2.66 ERA, and struck out 58 in 44 innings before the Yankees traded for him.

He filled several roles for the Cubs’ bullpen, including:

• Middle relief
• Setup
• The occasional save situation

Effross earned a reputation for exceptional control, rarely walking hitters and often getting the Cubs out of tough spots.

Partnership with Marcus Stroman

Effross built a solid working relationship with veteran starter Marcus Stroman while on the Cubs. Even though their roles and styles were different, both pitchers took a thoughtful approach to the mental side of pitching.

Stroman, always willing to mentor younger players, helped Effross handle high-pressure moments. He even praised Effross’s work ethic and attention to detail in interviews.

“Scott is meticulous in his preparation,” Stroman said in 2022. “He studies hitters and executes his game plan better than most relievers I’ve played with.”

They often talked about pitch sequencing and how to attack hitters. That collaboration helped Effross expand his approach and become more effective against different types of batters.

Transition to the New York Yankees

Scott Effross landed with the New York Yankees in a mid-season trade that changed the direction of his career. Suddenly, he found himself pitching for a storied franchise with big postseason goals.

Trade Details

The Chicago Cubs traded Scott Effross to the New York Yankees on August 1, 2022. The move surprised a lot of folks, since Effross had become one of Chicago’s most reliable bullpen arms that year. The Yankees sent minor league pitcher Hayden Wesneski to the Cubs in return.

At the time, Effross had a 2.66 ERA over 44 games with the Cubs. The Yankees wanted his sidearm delivery and ground-ball skills—always handy in Yankee Stadium, where the ball tends to fly.

For the Yankees, the trade showed how much they wanted to shore up their bullpen for a playoff run. For Effross, it meant leaving the team that drafted him and stepping into the intense spotlight of New York.

Notable Yankees Teammates

Once he joined the Yankees, Effross worked alongside some talented arms. Clay Holmes handled closing duties, bringing a nasty sinker to the late innings. Michael King, with his versatility, became another important bullpen mate.

Ian Hamilton joined later, adding even more power to the bullpen mix. Together, they helped form a tough relief corps—when everyone was healthy, anyway.

The Yankees’ bullpen had a good mix of styles. Effross’s sidearm delivery and command gave hitters a different look compared to the team’s power arms.

Working with experienced catchers and coaches in New York helped Effross keep improving. The contract he signed with the Yankees, worth $800,000, showed the team’s belief in what he could bring.

Pitching Style and Performance

Scott Effross has crafted a pitching style that works, even without big-time velocity. His unusual delivery and pitch mix keep hitters guessing and produce a lot of weak contact.

Pitch Arsenal and Delivery

Effross leans on a four-pitch mix, with his sweeper and sinker making up more than two-thirds of his pitches. The sweeper (34.5%) is his main breaking ball, with sharp horizontal movement that gets swings and misses. The sinker (32.7%) helps him get ground balls when it counts.

His sidearm delivery adds deception and weird angles, especially tough on right-handed hitters.

He rounds things out with a four-seam fastball (20.0%) and a changeup (12.7%). His velocity isn’t eye-popping—usually upper-80s to low-90s—but he makes up for it with movement and command.

Statistical Analysis

When healthy, Effross has been pretty effective, especially at limiting hard contact. His ground ball rate sits above league average, which is huge in tight spots with runners on.

His ERA has bounced around, but he’s had stretches where he really dominated. His strikeout-to-walk ratio stands out, showing he can throw strikes and avoid free passes.

The advanced stats like Effross too. His xERA often looks better than his regular ERA, hinting that he might be even more valuable than the traditional numbers suggest.

Injuries, including Tommy John surgery, have limited his innings in the majors, which is frustrating for both him and fans hoping to see more.

Role in the Bullpen

With the Yankees paying him $800,000 in 2025, Effross looks like a pretty versatile middle-relief option. He’s got that knack for getting ground balls, which comes in handy when there are runners on base and the pressure’s on.

Effross throws from the side, so hitters see something totally different compared to the Yankees’ usual flamethrowers. This mix of styles gives managers a nice edge when they’re picking which reliever to bring in next.

He’s handled all sorts of bullpen roles, whether it’s going after a tough righty or taking on a full inning. Managers like having that flexibility—he can jump in wherever the game demands.

When he’s healthy, Effross brings some reliability to the bullpen. His delivery isn’t as taxing as those max-effort guys, so he can pitch on back-to-back days more easily.

Scott Effross’ Contract History

Scott Effross has carved out a pretty unique contract path in MLB, starting off with rookie deals and then moving through arbitration with both the Cubs and Yankees. His financial story really shows how much teams value a solid reliever, but it also reflects how injuries can mess with a player’s earnings.

Initial MLB Contract

The Chicago Cubs picked Effross in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Since he wasn’t a top pick, he signed a standard minor league deal with a modest signing bonus.

He spent a few years grinding through the Cubs’ farm system before finally making his big league debut in 2021. Like most rookies, he started out earning the league minimum salary. During this stretch, his pay stayed pretty low while he worked to prove himself as a steady bullpen arm.

The Cubs kept control of his contract during those early seasons, which is just the way MLB works for new players.

Recent Extensions and Terms

In 2022, the Cubs traded Effross to the New York Yankees. The move didn’t change his contract right away, but it definitely shifted his career. After arriving in New York, he signed a one-year contract worth $800,000, which was a nice bump up from the minimum.

But then, injuries hit hard. Effross had Tommy John surgery late in 2022 and missed all of 2023, though the Yankees still paid his salary.

For 2024, he’s making $742,750 while working his way back to full strength. That salary adds to his estimated net worth of about $1.65 million.

Free Agent Eligibility

Effross hasn’t hit free agency yet. Based on his service time, the Yankees will keep him under team control for a few more years.

Most players need six full years of service time before they can really test the market. Effross debuted in 2021, but his injuries have slowed down his service clock a bit. Even so, players on the injured list still rack up service time, so he’s making progress toward free agency.

He’ll probably go through a few rounds of salary arbitration before he gets there. Those years usually come with solid raises for good relievers, so there’s a path to financial stability if he stays effective.

Net Worth and Financial Standing

Effross has built up a decent amount of wealth through his MLB contracts, which is pretty typical for a middle reliever.

Career Earnings

His net worth is estimated at $1,654,662, almost all from his baseball contracts. After the Cubs drafted him in 2015, he started out with league minimum salaries during his early days in Chicago. The trade to the Yankees came with a one-year, $800,000 deal that boosted his earnings.

For the 2025 season, salary records show Effross is earning $742,750. That’s just his base, without any bonuses.

He doesn’t pull in superstar money, but his contracts put him well above the average American income.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Effross keeps a pretty low profile off the field, especially compared to some bigger MLB names. Middle relievers rarely get the flashy endorsement deals that starters or everyday players do.

Most of his equipment deals are practical—stuff that helps him pitch better, not really for show.

He’s joined some team-sponsored community events that might have commercial partners, but those don’t usually add much to his bank account.

Players in his spot sometimes get small sponsorships from local businesses or gear companies, but there’s nothing major on record for Effross.

Postseason Experiences

Effross has had a taste of the playoffs, and while his postseason moments have been limited, they’ve still shaped how teams see him.

Key Playoff Contributions

He made his playoff debut with the Yankees after they traded for him from the Cubs at the 2022 deadline. The Yankees liked his sidearm delivery and his ability to get ground balls—both big assets in October.

Effross pitched in some high-leverage spots during the 2022 ALDS against the Guardians, mostly facing tough righties. That’s exactly the role the Yankees wanted him to fill.

Injuries limited his playoff action, but he showed enough in pressure situations to justify why the Yankees gave up prospects to get him.

Impact on Teams

Effross’s impact in October goes beyond the box score. As a flexible bullpen piece, he gave Aaron Boone another tool for those tense playoff moments. His calm under pressure made him a valuable addition to the postseason roster.

The Yankees’ move to get Effross showed they saw something special in his delivery—even though he hadn’t been in the majors that long. Teams are always hunting for relievers who throw differently, especially in the playoffs where every matchup matters.

His postseason experience, short as it is, has helped him grow as a pitcher. Handling those high-stakes situations only makes a player sharper for the future.

That playoff performance has also played into his contract value, since teams often pay a premium for relievers who can deliver in October.

Personal Life and Off-Field Contributions

Effross doesn’t just focus on baseball; he’s found ways to stay grounded off the field, balancing family and community work.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

He’s built a reputation for giving back, though he doesn’t make a big show of it. Back with the Cubs, he joined plenty of team charity events and ran youth clinics around Chicago.

After moving to the Yankees, Effross stuck with his community efforts, even while rehabbing injuries. He’s especially interested in supporting youth sports programs for kids who might not have as many opportunities.

When he’s home in Twinsburg, Ohio, he works with local baseball programs during the offseason. He always talks about how important education is, not just athletics, when he visits young players.

“Giving kids a chance to experience baseball the way I did growing up is something I’m passionate about,” Effross said at a 2023 community event.

Professional Partnerships

As his career has gone on, Effross has picked up some interesting professional partnerships. He’s a trustee for a baseball development foundation that teaches young pitchers proper mechanics to help them avoid injuries.

In 2024, he teamed up with a sports equipment company to create training tools for sidearm pitchers—a cool fit, considering his style.

He’s also worked with sports medicine experts to promote smart rehab protocols for pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery. His own experience gives him some real credibility there.

All these connections have made Effross more than just a player—he’s become a respected voice in baseball development and injury prevention.

Media Presence and Publications

Effross isn’t exactly a media darling, but he’s had his share of interviews and features, mostly focused on his unusual pitching style and journey.

Interviews and Media Appearances

He’s done plenty of post-game interviews with both the Cubs and Yankees, usually breaking down his pitching approach or talking through specific games. Effross tends to offer thoughtful analysis and technical insights about his sidearm delivery.

During his rehab in 2023-2024, he popped up on team broadcasts to update fans on his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He’s been on YES Network segments and local sports radio in both Chicago and New York, chatting about his move between teams and how he’s handled new bullpen roles.

Notable Features on Yahoo

Yahoo Sports has run a few deeper pieces on Effross, especially after his trade to the Yankees in 2022. They’ve highlighted his unusual delivery and his ability to get both righties and lefties out.

Yahoo’s fantasy baseball crew has also given him some love in their reliever rankings and waiver wire tips, pointing out his good strikeout numbers and low ERA when he’s healthy.

During his recovery, Yahoo’s MLB section kept tabs on his rehab and speculated about how he might fit into the Yankees’ bullpen once he returned.

Published Works

Effross hasn’t written any books, but he’s contributed to team media guides with technical notes on pitching mechanics.

Back at Indiana University, he wrote a few short pieces for the athletics website, sharing what life was like as a college athlete.

He’s also put together some instructional content for youth baseball camps, focusing on pitching mechanics. These are usually for local use, not big publishing.

Effross keeps a pretty low-key but professional social media presence, sharing training tips and career news with fans from time to time.

International Impact and Recognition

Effross isn’t a global superstar, but his sidearm style has definitely gotten some attention overseas, especially among baseball coaches.

Influence in the European Union

He’s never played in Europe, but coaches in places like the Netherlands and Italy have used video of Effross’s delivery as a teaching tool for young pitchers.

European baseball academies seem to like his story—switching from a regular delivery to sidearm shows the kind of flexibility they encourage in developing players.

The European Baseball Coaches Association has even featured his mechanics in their workshops. Effross’s success as a reliever gives those growing programs in the EU a solid example to point to.

Global Baseball Community

Effross has built a reputation in the global baseball community that goes well beyond his unusual pitching style. Players everywhere, especially those dealing with tough injuries, have found his resilience during Tommy John surgery rehab pretty inspiring.

International baseball forums and social media often talk about Effross as a real example of perseverance in pro sports. His journey—from injury to returning as an effective reliever earning $800,000 with the Yankees—motivates players all over the world. You can almost feel the respect.

Japanese and Korean baseball analysts pay close attention to Effross’s pitch selection and his deceptive delivery. Pitching specialists in these baseball-obsessed countries study his approach to batters, especially since technical analysis means so much there.

Fans and coaches in Latin American countries keep an eye on Effross’s career too, especially his climb from minor league hopeful to MLB reliever. His story really shows how much dedication it takes to make it at the top level of baseball.

Legacy and Future Outlook

Scott Effross stands out in pro baseball, thanks to his unique sidearm delivery and his ability to bounce back from injuries. His journey gives valuable insights to both analysts and young players hoping to make it.

Expected Career Trajectory

Effross is at a turning point as he comes back from Tommy John surgery. He’ll be 31 in April 2025, so he’s not exactly old, but he’s not a rookie either. If he can stay healthy, there’s still a chance for a few strong seasons. The New York Yankees clearly believe in him—they handed him an $800,000 contract, betting on his specialized pitching style.

His sidearm delivery really messes with hitters, and that’s still his biggest weapon. Some analysts think Effross could become a reliable middle reliever or setup guy if he finds his old form again.

What’s going to matter most? He’ll need to keep his command sharp, protect his arm, and keep working on his pitch sequencing. If he does, who knows—maybe we’ll keep hearing his name for years to come.

Advice and Guidance for Aspiring Players

Effross’s career, honestly, gives young pitchers a lot to think about. He didn’t just stick with what he knew—he took a risk and totally changed his pitching style, going from the usual delivery to throwing sidearm. That kind of adaptability? It’s rare, and it’s what really opened the door for him to reach the majors. Check it out here.

He battled through injuries—Tommy John surgery, tough rehab, the whole thing. Effross talks a lot about patience when you’re recovering. It’s not easy, and you need a ton of mental toughness to keep going when your body’s not cooperating.

There’s something else young pitchers should notice. Instead of just trying to throw harder than everyone else, Effross leaned into what made him different. He:

• Went all-in on his sidearm delivery
• Focused more on control than just throwing heat
• Spent a lot of time figuring out how to sequence his pitches

And hey, his net worth of $1.65 million shows you don’t have to sign some monster contract to pull off a stable career.