Hunter Gaddis – Cleveland Guardians Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Hunter Gaddis is turning heads in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians.

He was born on April 9, 1998, in Canton, Georgia, and Cleveland picked him in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft after his college days at Georgia State.

Gaddis’s path to the majors speaks volumes about his work ethic and talent—he really put in the hours.

Hunter Gaddis currently earns a salary of $778,900 under his one-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians, while his estimated net worth stands at $554,340.

That’s a bump up from his $720,100 contract in 2023, which shows the Guardians are starting to trust him more on the mound.

For a young pitcher still finding his place, this deal gives him a solid spot in Cleveland’s pitching plans.

The Guardians drafted Gaddis 160th overall in 2019.

He made his MLB debut in August 2022, and he’s been fighting to secure his role in the pitching rotation since then.

Now that his contract details are public on Spotrac and his player profile is getting more attention, fans are keeping an eye on how he’ll develop over the next few seasons.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Hunter Reid Gaddis grew up in Canton, Georgia, and that’s where his love for baseball really took root.

His size and natural talent helped set him up for college ball and beyond.

Childhood and Education

Born in 1998, Hunter Gaddis got hooked on baseball early.

He’s a big guy at 6’6″ and 260 pounds—definitely built for pitching.

Growing up in Cherokee County (zip 30114), he found plenty of support for his baseball dreams.

During high school, Gaddis started making a name for himself on the mound.

His skills and drive caught the attention of college recruiters, even if you won’t find a lot of detailed stats from those years.

Still, he pitched well enough to land a spot in college baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

Gaddis took his game to Georgia State University, where he sharpened his pitching and caught the eye of MLB scouts.

His college numbers showed he had the stuff to make it as a pro.

In 2019, Cleveland (then still called the Indians) picked him in the fifth round, 160th overall.

That draft day kicked off his professional career.

After signing, Gaddis worked his way up through Cleveland’s minor league clubs.

He developed his pitches and learned how to face tougher hitters.

That grind eventually paid off with his MLB debut for the Guardians—a dream come true for the kid from Georgia.

Professional Career Overview

Hunter Gaddis has gone from promising draft pick to MLB pitcher with the Cleveland Guardians.

He spent a few seasons in the minors, facing ups and downs, before breaking into the big leagues as a righty.

Minor League Journey

Cleveland drafted Gaddis in 2019 out of Georgia State, and he started his pro journey right after.

He moved through their minor league system, showing off his pitching arsenal and working on his control.

His minor league stats showed good strikeout numbers and steady improvement.

When COVID-19 shut down the 2020 minor league season, Gaddis had to train on his own.

He kept working, and when baseball returned, he came back strong.

Double-A and Triple-A stints gave him a chance to shine, especially with his ability to get swings and misses.

That progress eventually put him in the running for a major league call-up.

Major League Debut and Teams

Gaddis made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians after the team changed its name.

He joined a staff that’s known for developing young arms in the AL Central.

He’s pitched both as a starter and out of the bullpen.

Cleveland’s approach to pitching development let Gaddis settle in and learn at the top level.

He’s used spring training to show his value, even if he hasn’t always started the season with the big club.

His flexibility and depth have made him a real asset for the Guardians.

Cleveland protected Gaddis from the Rule 5 Draft, which says a lot about how much they value his future.

Key Performances and Milestones

Gaddis has had his share of tough outings, but he’s also flashed some real promise.

He’s been working on his pitch control and learning how to attack major league hitters.

His contract with the Cleveland Guardians worth $778,900 marks a big step in his career.

He’s focused on lowering his ERA and building on his strengths, especially his strikeout ability.

Facing division rivals has given him the chance to prove himself under pressure.

His growth is key for both his own future and the Guardians’ pitching depth in a tough division.

Hunter Gaddis Contract Details

Right now, Hunter Gaddis is on a pre-arbitration contract with the Guardians, so he’s earning less than the league’s established pitchers.

His contract reflects where he is in his career, and some big milestones are coming up that could change his earnings.

Current Contract and Free Agency Status

As of May 2025, Gaddis is playing on a pre-arbitration contract with Cleveland.

He’s logged 1.073 years of service time as of January 2025, so he’s still under team control for a while.

He won’t be eligible for free agency until he hits six full years of MLB service.

At this pace, that probably won’t happen until after the 2028 season.

The Guardians picked him in the fifth round of the 2019 draft, and they put him on the 40-man roster when they selected his contract from the minors in August 2022.

Salary, Payroll, and Arbitration

Gaddis’s salary is $720,100 per year on his current deal, which is just above the MLB minimum.

He didn’t get a signing bonus, and his estimated net worth is around $554,340.

As a pre-arbitration player, Gaddis doesn’t have much leverage in salary talks.

The Guardians can renew his contract at or above the league minimum until he’s arbitration-eligible.

If he sticks in the majors, he’ll reach arbitration after the 2025 season.

That’s when he’ll get his first shot at a big pay bump based on his performance.

Contract Detail	Value
Current Salary	$720,100
Signing Bonus	$0
Contract Status	Pre-Arbitration
Service Time	1.073 years

Recent Trade Activity and Market Value

Even though some trade rumors have popped up, Gaddis has stayed with Cleveland.

Young, cost-controlled pitchers with big league experience like him are pretty valuable.

The Guardians usually keep their pitching depth instead of trading away promising arms.

That’s probably why they’ve held onto Gaddis.

His market value is still modest, but if he puts together a strong season, that could change fast.

Teams love pitchers with years of team control left, and those guys can fetch a lot in trades.

Pitchers with similar experience often become secondary pieces in bigger deals or headline trades for young talent.

If the Guardians ever do shop him, they’d probably want either MLB-ready talent or top prospects in return.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Hunter Gaddis has put together a decent financial base during his time with the Guardians.

He’s not making superstar money yet, but his earnings line up with where he is as a developing player.

Career Earnings and Sources of Income

As of 2025, Gaddis’s net worth is estimated at $554,340.

Most of that comes from his MLB salary, which is $778,900 for the current season with Cleveland.

That’s up from his previous $720,100.

He made his MLB debut on August 5, 2022, and his earnings have grown steadily since Cleveland drafted him in 2019.

His rookie contract and follow-up deals make up the bulk of his wealth so far.

As a Guardians pitcher, Gaddis can also earn performance bonuses for things like appearances and innings, though those details aren’t public.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Gaddis hasn’t landed any big national endorsement deals yet, which is pretty normal for a player still carving out his spot.

His endorsements are probably limited to some regional partnerships—maybe with gear brands or local Cleveland businesses.

He might have small deals for gloves, cleats, or other equipment.

Social media can boost an athlete’s income these days, but Gaddis doesn’t have a huge following yet.

If he keeps progressing, that could change.

Comparison with Other MLB Players

At $778,900, Gaddis sits in the lower tier of MLB salaries.

For reference, the league minimum salary in 2025 is about $750,000.

Top pitchers can make $20-40 million a year, which is wild to think about.

Within the Guardians, Gaddis is one of the more modestly paid players.

Their payroll usually mixes young, cheap talent like Gaddis with a few higher-paid veterans.

MLB Pitcher Salary Tiers (2025 Estimates):

• Elite starters/closers: $20-40 million/year
• Established veterans: $5-20 million/year
• Mid-tier relievers/starters: $1-5 million/year
• Developing talents: $750,000-1 million/year

If Gaddis keeps improving, his earning power could jump through arbitration and, eventually, free agency.

It all depends on whether he can lock down a rotation spot and keep performing.

Notable Achievements and Impact

Hunter Gaddis has made his mark as a developing arm for the Cleveland Guardians.

He’s turned in some key performances and has contributed to the team’s pitching staff.

His journey so far includes several moments that have helped shape where he’s headed next.

Awards and Recognitions

While at Georgia State University, Gaddis picked up Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors in both 2018 and 2019.

He led the Sun Belt Conference with 112 strikeouts in 2019, which stands as the second-highest total in Georgia State history.

Cleveland drafted Gaddis in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft.

He moved up through the minor league system, working his way toward the majors.

Sharing a clubhouse with stars like Shane Bieber and Andrés Giménez, Gaddis keeps trying to carve out his own spot on the pitching staff.

He made his MLB debut on August 5, 2022, which marked a huge personal milestone for him.

Influence in the AL Central and MLB

Gaddis adds to the Cleveland Guardians’ pitching depth, giving the team more options as they battle in the tough AL Central.

His growth matters a lot as the Guardians juggle pitching staff management through the 2024 season.

Cleveland can adjust their rotation and bullpen strategies thanks to Gaddis, especially when they face divisional rivals like the Twins, White Sox, and Tigers.

Standing at 6’6″, Gaddis brings an imposing presence to the mound, giving opposing hitters a different look compared to other Guardians pitchers.

He’s still developing at the MLB level, but Gaddis fits right into Cleveland’s plan to keep pitching depth strong with homegrown talent instead of shelling out for expensive free agents.

Related Teams, Players, and League Dynamics

Hunter Gaddis’s time with the Cleveland Guardians links him to a web of teams and players across Major League Baseball.

His growth as a pitcher depends on teammates, organizational decisions, and the ever-shifting MLB landscape.

Key Teammates and League Opponents

Gaddis works alongside some notable teammates on the Guardians’ pitching staff.

The Guardians have a reputation for developing talented arms, so Gaddis has picked up valuable tips and mentorship from established pitchers.

When he faces division rivals like the Tigers and Royals, Gaddis has to develop specific plans to handle key hitters.

These AL Central matchups often play a big role in shaping the Guardians’ playoff hopes.

The Yankees and Blue Jays bring big AL East challenges, with lineups featuring hitters like Gleyber Torres who can really test a young pitcher.

On the other hand, NL opponents such as the Cardinals, with a veteran like Charlie Morton, show a different style of pitching development.

People sometimes compare Gaddis’s progress to other young pitchers like the Diamondbacks’ Slade Cecconi, since both are still figuring out their early MLB careers.

Trades and Transactions Involving the Guardians

The Guardians have to focus on smart player development and careful financial planning.

This shapes Gaddis’s role in the organization and affects his contract situation.

Unlike some bigger-name pitchers like Michael Wacha or Jack Flaherty, Gaddis has stuck with the team that drafted him.

His salary of $720,100 shows he’s still a developing player, working to establish himself in the majors.

Cleveland usually bets on affordable pitching talent, which is a different approach from teams like the Padres or Mariners, who have traded for established arms like Paul Sewald.

The Guardians’ front office often balances veteran leadership—think Carlos Santana—with developing younger players like Gaddis.

Role within the League Structure

When Cleveland picked Gaddis in the fifth round (160th overall) in 2019, they took a chance on a pitcher that smaller-market teams really need to develop. He’s worked his way up through Cleveland’s farm system, showing how the organization tries to grow its own talent.

Pitchers in Gaddis’s spot face some tough realities in today’s MLB. Big names like Carlos Estévez and Tommy Kahnle grab the headlines and the big contracts, but guys like Gaddis have to earn their place by performing well every time they get the ball.

When he goes up against NL East teams or faces pitchers like Alex Cobb, Gaddis gets the kind of experience that broadens his game. You never know what you’ll pick up facing different lineups.

Taking on hitters like Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer really tests Gaddis, forcing him to adapt and sharpen his approach on the mound. In a lot of ways, he’s on a similar path to Pirates pitcher Luis Ortiz—both are just trying to find their footing in the majors.