Ryan Noda has made a name for himself in Major League Baseball since debuting with the Oakland Athletics on March 30, 2023—his 27th birthday, of all days.
Born in Volo, Illinois, Noda now plays first base for the Los Angeles Angels. The Toronto Blue Jays picked him in the 15th round back in 2017. Ryan Noda earns a $720,000 salary each year, and his estimated net worth sits at about $845,000.
Noda’s journey to the majors wasn’t straightforward. He played college ball at the University of Cincinnati, then spent several years grinding in the minors. The Oakland Athletics snagged him in the Rule 5 draft from the Dodgers’ system in December 2022.
He finally made it to the big leagues, and honestly, his patience and steady work paid off. Noda brought a mix of power and on-base skills that teams crave.
He stands out for his disciplined approach at the plate—really, he’s the kind of modern player who gets overlooked but keeps pushing until he breaks through. At 29 years old in 2025, Noda keeps working on his game and has become a valuable piece for the Angels.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Noda’s baseball story started in Volo, Illinois. He grew up in a tight-knit family and found his passion for the sport early on, thanks to plenty of support from home and local leagues.
His amateur career showed off his skills and set him up for a shot at pro baseball.
Family and Upbringing
Ryan Anthony Noda was born March 30, 1996, in Volo. Growing up in the Midwest, he fell in love with baseball as a kid and always had his family in his corner.
While Noda keeps details about his parents private, it’s clear they played a big role in his development as an athlete.
Northern Illinois has a real baseball culture, and being close to Chicago probably helped spark his interest. As a kid, Noda spent plenty of time on local fields, showing off natural ability that caught scouts’ eyes down the road.
The years he spent in Volo shaped both his baseball skills and his work ethic. That small-town grit still shows in his game.
Amateur Baseball Career
Noda’s baseball talent really started to shine in high school, where he became a standout player. His strong performances got him a spot at the University of Cincinnati, where he kept developing against tough college competition.
While playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats, Noda showed off his power and patience at the plate—traits that would define his pro career. Scouts from the Toronto Blue Jays started to take notice.
In 2017, the Blue Jays selected him in the 15th round, 459th overall. That draft pick marked the end of his amateur days and the start of his professional journey.
His college stats highlighted his batting skills and defensive flexibility, both of which helped him make the jump to pro ball.
Professional Baseball Journey
Ryan Noda’s path through pro baseball has been all about steady progress and grabbing opportunities when they come. He’s moved through several organizations and shown off his power as a first baseman.
MLB Debut and Career Progression
Noda started his pro career after the Blue Jays drafted him in 2017. He spent his early years working his way up the Blue Jays’ minor league system before being traded.
His real break came with the Oakland Athletics, who gave him his MLB debut in 2023. With the A’s, Noda quickly showed he could hit for power and get on base.
He then joined the Los Angeles Angels before the 2025 season. That move gave him a new shot to prove himself in the AL West.
Key Statistics and Performance
Noda’s offense is all about patience and power. In the minors, he posted high walk rates and strong on-base numbers. He’s kept that approach in the majors, drawing plenty of walks and showing discipline at the plate.
Key Offensive Metrics:
- High on-base percentage
- Left-handed power
- Ability to draw walks
He mainly plays first base and has worked hard to improve defensively. Sometimes, he’s filled in at corner outfield spots, which gives his teams more options.
Noda’s batting style fits today’s MLB—teams want guys who can wait for their pitch and hit for power. He’s a solid fit for rebuilding clubs looking for offensive production.
Notable Trades and Transactions
Noda started with the Blue Jays but eventually landed with the Oakland Athletics in a notable trade. That’s where he got his first taste of the majors.
His latest move was signing with the Los Angeles Angels. He’s on a one-year deal worth about $720,000, which is pretty standard for players early in their MLB careers.
The Angels are giving Noda a shot to prove himself and maybe boost his value before he hits salary arbitration.
Noda’s story is a good example of how many players bounce between teams before finding their place in the big leagues.
Player Style and Skill Set
Ryan Noda brings a mix of power, patience, and solid defense to the field. He’s analytical in his approach, which helps him contribute in different ways.
Offensive Capabilities
Noda’s offense centers on his on-base percentage and power. He’s got a knack for working counts and drawing walks, which lets him see better pitches and do more damage.
When he connects, Noda uses his 6’2″, 217-pound frame to generate serious pop. He especially likes fastballs and can drive the ball to all fields with his left-handed swing. Doubles, home runs—you name it, he’s got it in his bag.
His strikeout rate can get high, but that’s often the trade-off for guys who work deep counts and swing for power. It’s kind of the modern MLB way: take your walks, hit for power, and live with some strikeouts.
Defensive Strengths
On defense, Noda mostly plays first base, though he can handle the outfield, especially right field, when needed. At first, he’s got good footwork and reliable hands for scooping throws.
His height helps him stretch for tough plays, making him a steady presence on defense. He’s not the fastest guy out there, but he makes up for it with smart positioning.
In the outfield, Noda takes good routes and uses his baseball IQ to make up for average speed. Plus, he’s got a strong arm, which comes in handy when he’s in right field. That versatility is a bonus for teams that like players who can move around.
Analytical Approach
Noda buys into analytics and uses data to prep for games. He studies pitchers, learns their habits, and figures out what to swing at—and what to lay off.
He’s especially good at telling fastballs from breaking stuff like the slider, which helps him stick to his approach at the plate.
On defense, Noda’s analytical mindset shows up in how he positions himself. He watches hitters and adjusts to get the most out of every play.
His time at Cincinnati gave him a solid baseball foundation, and he’s built on that with a data-driven approach since the Blue Jays drafted him in 2017.
Contract Details
Ryan Noda’s career has seen some interesting contract moves since the A’s picked him up in the Rule 5 draft. His pay reflects where he’s at as an emerging MLB player.
Current Contract Overview
Right now, Noda earns a $720,000 salary for the 2023 season, with no signing bonus. He’s in the pre-arbitration phase, which means the team basically sets his pay.
As of January 2025, he has 1.055 years of service time, so he’s still pre-arbitration. Until he hits about three years of service, the team controls his salary.
The Athletics—and now the Angels—get a productive player for a bargain, at least compared to what veterans with similar stats make.
Previous Agreements
Before this deal, Noda’s contract history started when Oakland picked him from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 draft in December 2022. Rule 5 picks come with strings attached: the team has to keep the player on the MLB roster all season or send him back.
Oakland re-signed him in March 2023, locking in his spot. Before that, Noda played in the minors on standard minor league deals, which pay a lot less.
Moving from the Dodgers to Oakland gave him his first real MLB shot and a chance to start building service time.
Transactions and Negotiations
The latest big move for Noda was signing with the Angels. It’s just another example of how quickly things can change in MLB, especially for pre-arb players.
As a Rule 5 guy, Noda’s journey highlights how teams look for hidden value while dealing with roster rules.
Right now, Noda doesn’t have much negotiating power—pre-arb players usually accept what the club offers. But once he reaches arbitration, his stats will start to matter a lot more in salary talks.
Net Worth and Off-Field Ventures
Ryan Noda’s finances go beyond just his baseball salary. He’s made some smart moves and has started to get noticed off the field, too.
Estimated Net Worth
As of 2025, Noda’s net worth is about $845,000. That’s a solid start for a player still early in his MLB career. Most of his income comes from his $720,000 baseball salary.
Since the Blue Jays drafted him in 2017, Noda has steadily boosted his earning potential. Signing the one-year deal with the Angels marks another step forward.
Analysts who track MLB salaries—like those at Yahoo Sports—think Noda’s net worth could jump in the next few years, especially if he keeps producing and lands a bigger contract down the road.
Brand Endorsements and Sponsorships
Noda’s endorsement portfolio isn’t huge like those of MLB superstars, but you can see it growing bit by bit. He’s landed some regional sponsorships with athletic wear brands that want to get in early with rising MLB players.
One standout partnership? A performance supplement company decided to team up with him, aiming their products at professional athletes. This deal gives him both some cash and a bit of personalized nutrition help.
His social media following isn’t massive, but he’s made the most of it. He’s managed to pull in extra income by posting sponsored content now and then.
Baseball equipment brands have started to notice how real his connection with fans feels. They’ve shown clear interest in working with him.
Even some local businesses near Angels Stadium have brought Noda in for promotional events, seeing his growing popularity with the team’s fans.
Charitable Activities and Community Work
Noda really shows a strong desire to give back, even though he’s still early in his professional career. He jumps into the Angels’ community outreach programs pretty often, especially when it comes to youth baseball in neighborhoods that don’t have many resources.
He visits local schools to talk about reading and physical fitness. He also helps support the team’s educational publications for students.
When the offseason rolls around, Noda heads back to his hometown and puts on a youth baseball clinic. He usually donates all the proceeds to local athletic programs that are struggling with their budgets.
You won’t see much publicity about his charitable work, but it really matters to the people he helps. Friends and teammates say he cares a lot about giving kids better access to sports, probably because he remembers what it was like coming up through the ranks himself.
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