Anthony Santander – Toronto Blue Jays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Anthony Santander has carved out a reputation as one of baseball’s most exciting outfielders, blending power and consistency at the plate. The Venezuelan slugger broke into the big leagues with the Baltimore Orioles and, year after year, kept getting better. Fans love him for those towering home runs and the way he comes through in clutch moments.

In January 2025, Santander landed a huge 5-year, $92.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, which includes a $13.5 million signing bonus and almost $62 million in deferred payments. This deal blew past what the Orioles offered, and it marked a turning point for Santander after he made $7.4 million in his last season with Baltimore.

Santander’s rise from Rule 5 Draft pick to $92 million man says a lot about his drive and work ethic. Teams have gotten creative with contracts lately, and Santander’s deal—with all those deferrals—shows how front offices try to balance payroll flexibility with giving players real security after years of short-term deals.

Early Life and Baseball Career Beginnings

Anthony Roger Santander’s path to baseball stardom started on Margarita Island, Venezuela. His natural ability and commitment to the game eventually pushed him all the way to Major League Baseball.

Background and Family

Born on October 19, 1994, in Margarita Island, Venezuela, Anthony Santander grew up in a country where baseball feels more like a way of life than just a sport. There aren’t many public details about his family, but it’s clear that his upbringing in Venezuela had a big impact on his passion for the game.

Santander stands 6 feet tall and weighs 230 pounds, so he built a sturdy frame early on. That power served him well as a hitter. His childhood in Venezuela immersed him in a baseball culture that has produced plenty of MLB stars.

A lot of Venezuelan players deal with tough economic situations and sometimes face the difficult choice to leave home early to chase a baseball dream.

Amateur Achievements

As a kid in Venezuela, Santander already impressed people with his switch-hitting—something that would become his calling card later on. Being able to hit from both sides of the plate really set him apart.

Scouts started noticing him in local leagues because of his power and ability to make solid contact. There aren’t many public stats from those early days, but he clearly played well enough to catch the eye of MLB teams looking for international talent.

By his mid-teens, Santander ranked among the top prospects in Venezuela. His performance showed not just raw talent but also a mature understanding of the game.

Path to Professional Baseball

Santander took his first big step toward the majors when the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) signed him as an international free agent in July 2011. That moment capped years of hard work and opened the door to his MLB dreams.

He worked his way through the minors, improving his skills and adapting to life in the U.S. The language barrier was tough at first, but he kept at it. His power at the plate and his defense in the outfield kept getting better.

The Baltimore Orioles picked Santander in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2016. They saw potential in the young outfielder. Even though injuries slowed him down early on, he stuck with it and kept developing.

Santander finally made his MLB debut with the Orioles on August 17, 2017. He reached the big leagues and started what would become a pretty impressive career.

Professional Career Progression

Anthony Santander’s MLB journey shows how he went from promising prospect to established power hitter. He kept improving, changed teams, and put up stats that made people take notice.

Debut and Breakthrough Seasons

Santander debuted with the Orioles after they picked him in the Rule 5 draft from Cleveland. His rookie season wasn’t easy—injuries limited his playing time.

Things clicked in 2019. Santander hit .261 with 20 home runs in just 93 games. That breakout got him a regular spot in the Orioles’ lineup.

In the shortened 2020 season, he kept mashing—11 home runs in 37 games, with a strong .890 OPS. He even won the Most Valuable Oriole award, which showed how important he’d become to the team.

Santander took another step in 2022, hitting 33 home runs and cementing his place as one of the Orioles’ main power threats.

Key Trades and Team Changes

Santander spent most of his early career with the Orioles, where he became a steady presence in the outfield and as a designated hitter. In January 2023, he agreed to a one-year, $7.4 million contract with Baltimore to avoid arbitration.

The biggest change came in January 2025, when he signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. That contract included a $13.5 million signing bonus and put him in a lineup with stars like Bo Bichette.

Toronto brought Santander in to strengthen their lineup, especially as they battled AL East rivals like the Yankees and Red Sox. The Blue Jays wanted his power bat to help them keep pace in a tough division—especially with the Yankees adding Juan Soto.

Notable Statistics and Highlights

Santander’s career stands out for his power numbers and steady improvement. He’s had back-to-back 30+ home run seasons, which earned him that big contract in Toronto.

Key Career Stats:

• Home Runs: Hit 30+ in consecutive seasons
• OPS: Topped .800 during his best years
• Defensive Flexibility: Played all outfield spots and filled in as DH

In 2023, Santander set career highs with 35 home runs and 95 RBIs for Baltimore. His switch-hitting made him even more valuable, since he could handle both lefties and righties.

People started comparing him to other big power hitters, though he still flew under the radar compared to superstars like Shohei Ohtani. Santander’s reliable production and ability to stay healthy made him a great fit for AL East ballparks that reward hitters with pop.

Contract Details and Financial Overview

Anthony Santander’s value jumped in early 2025 when he signed that major deal with the Blue Jays. It was a huge financial step up after years of solid work in Baltimore.

Current Contract Terms

Anthony Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Blue Jays in January 2025. The deal came with a $13.5 million signing bonus and is fully guaranteed. The structure is interesting—almost $62 million comes as deferred payments.

Here’s the basic breakdown:

• Signing Bonus: $13.5 million (with $6.75 million deferred)
• 2025 Salary: $13.5 million
• Total Guaranteed: $92.5 million
• Length: 5 years

Santander hit free agency after the 2024 season, and Toronto really went after him. They wanted his power in the lineup, and they didn’t hold back.

Salary History and Earnings

Before this big contract, Santander earned a lot less with the Orioles. His 2024 salary was $7.4 million, so the jump to his new deal is massive.

His salary history kind of tells the story of his career:

1. Early on: Rookie and pre-arbitration salaries were modest.
2. Middle years: He got raises through arbitration.
3. Now: He’s finally earning free agent money in Toronto.

The Blue Jays showed a lot of faith by making such a big commitment. The contract structure with all those deferrals also helps them with the luxury tax, while still giving Santander the total payday he wanted.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Anthony Santander’s financial profile has grown a lot thanks to his MLB salary and some business moves off the field.

Estimated Net Worth

People estimate Anthony Santander’s net worth at about $14 million, and that number is climbing fast after his latest contract. Signing the 5-year, $92.5 million deal with the Blue Jays (plus the $13.5 million signing bonus) gave his finances a serious boost.

Before that, he got a one-year, $7.4 million deal with the Orioles in 2023. For luxury tax purposes, his new contract averages out to about $14 million per year.

Analysts think his net worth could double over the next five years if he keeps playing at his current level.

Sponsorships and Endorsement Deals

Santander has a handful of endorsement deals that add to his income. His hitting has attracted equipment partnerships with some big baseball brands, though details about the money aren’t public.

He’s popped up in local ads in both Baltimore and Toronto, and his popularity keeps growing. Santander speaks both Spanish and English, which makes him a good fit for brands looking to reach a wider audience.

He stays active on Instagram and Twitter, sometimes promoting products to his followers. He’s not among the top earners in MLB endorsements, but his marketing profile has grown along with his on-field success.

Personal Life and Legacy

Away from baseball, Anthony Santander keeps things pretty private, but he’s known for building strong relationships with teammates and fans. His background and interests have shaped who he is, both as a player and as a person.

Family and Off-Field Interests

Santander was born in Venezuela, and his roots there run deep. Even though he doesn’t share much about his family, he’s mentioned how much their support has meant—especially during his journey from Venezuela to the majors.

When he’s not playing, Santander likes video games and music. He’s shown up at community events in Baltimore, pitching in with Orioles charity work.

He’s become good friends with guys like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and they share that cultural connection. Santander takes pride in his Venezuelan heritage and often talks about representing his country every time he steps on the field.

Reputation Among Peers and Fans

Santander has built real respect around baseball for his power at the plate and the way he keeps getting better on defense.

Teammates talk up his work ethic all the time. Even opponents like Pete Alonso and Christian Walker admit his bat is dangerous.

In Baltimore, fans genuinely appreciate how steady he is and his upbeat attitude.

His jersey pops up more and more at Camden Yards. Sometimes you’ll hear the crowd chanting his name when he steps up in big moments.

Baseball analysts love pointing out how professional he is. He just doesn’t get caught up in drama and brings a calm vibe to the clubhouse.

That reputation definitely caught the eye of teams like Toronto once he hit free agency.

Santander also goes out of his way with young fans, often sticking around after games to sign autographs or have a quick chat with the kids.