Brusdar Graterol – Los Angeles Dodgers Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Brusdar Graterol, born August 26, 1998, in Calabozo, Venezuela, has made a name for himself as a hard-throwing relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. With his electric fastball and cool presence on the mound, Graterol has really become a staple in the Dodgers’ bullpen since he joined the team.

On January 11, 2024, Graterol inked a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, sidestepping arbitration. That’s a big jump from his previous one-year deal in January 2023, which came in at $1.225 million. The Dodgers clearly see his value rising, and his paycheck is starting to show it.

Graterol started his professional journey with the Minnesota Twins in 2014, signing as a free agent. Now, with a net worth estimated at $2.82 million, his financial growth reflects just how far he’s come on the field. After pitching in 68 games in the 2023 season, he’s proven himself as one of the most dependable relief arms in baseball.

Early Life and Background

Graterol’s path to the majors kicked off in Venezuela, where a mix of raw talent and determination helped him push through some pretty tough circumstances. He’s always had that drive, even as a kid.

Family and Upbringing

Born in Calabozo, Venezuela, Brusdar Javier Graterol grew up surrounded by baseball. Like a lot of Venezuelan kids, he picked up the game early, hoping it could be his ticket to something better.

Life in Venezuela wasn’t easy, with plenty of economic and political hurdles. But Graterol’s family, especially his mother, never stopped backing his baseball dreams. She sacrificed a lot to get him to practices and games, and that kind of support really helped forge Graterol’s resilient mindset.

Amateur Baseball Career

Graterol stood out early, whipping fastballs that made scouts take notice. By his mid-teens, people already talked about him as one of Venezuela’s top young pitchers.

His amateur career got a real boost when he started playing in international showcases. Scouts saw his raw arm strength and flashes of a decent secondary pitch. The Minnesota Twins saw the potential and signed him as an international free agent in 2014, when he was just 16. It flew under the radar at the time, but looking back, it was a smart move.

Prospect Evaluation

Once he joined the pro ranks, scouts couldn’t help but notice Graterol’s arm. His fastball sat in the upper 90s, sometimes even hitting triple digits—a rare feat for someone so young.

Scouting reports pegged him as a high-ceiling prospect, especially if he could sharpen his secondary stuff. His slider, in particular, had some real promise alongside that power fastball.

But then came the tough part. In 2016, Graterol needed Tommy John surgery and missed the whole season. That was a big setback, but he used the time to work on his mechanics and get stronger.

By 2018, he’d bounced back. Graterol climbed quickly through the Twins’ minor league system, and scouts started talking about his improved command and expanded pitch mix—tools that eventually got him to the majors.

Professional Career Overview

Graterol’s pro career has been all about his fastball—he can hit 100 mph without breaking a sweat. He started with the Minnesota Twins and later became a big piece of the Dodgers’ bullpen.

Minnesota Twins Debut

The Minnesota Twins signed Graterol out of Venezuela in 2014. He worked his way up the minors, even after Tommy John surgery in 2016 slowed him down.

By 2019, Graterol forced his way onto the big-league radar. He debuted with the Twins on September 1, 2019, lighting up the radar gun with his triple-digit heater. He pitched in 10 games that year and finished with a 4.66 ERA.

His time in Minnesota didn’t last long, but he made an impression. That heavy sinker of his got a lot of ground balls, and scouts loved his raw stuff.

Trade to Los Angeles Dodgers

In February 2020, Graterol got caught up in a complicated three-team trade with the Red Sox, but medical concerns shuffled things around. In the end, he landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That move changed everything for him. In the shortened 2020 season, Graterol became a key bullpen arm and helped the Dodgers win the World Series.

His contracts evolved after joining LA. In January 2023, he signed a one-year, $1.225 million deal to avoid arbitration—a big step up from his earlier contract at $590,500.

Key Moments and Highlights

Graterol’s career has already had some memorable moments. He played a big role in the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series win, handling crucial innings during their run.

He really hit his stride in 2023, pitching in 68 games and establishing himself as a go-to reliever. That power sinker and knack for ground balls made him tough to hit.

At 6’1″ and 265 pounds, Graterol is a force on the mound. Fans love his energetic celebrations—he’s not shy about showing emotion after a big strikeout.

He’s also worked hard to add secondary pitches to his arsenal. Coaches often point out his dedication to improving and evolving as a pitcher.

Los Angeles Dodgers Tenure

Since coming over in 2020, Graterol has become a fixture in the Dodgers’ bullpen. That 100 mph sinker and his energy have won over the fans at Dodger Stadium.

Role in the Bullpen

Graterol usually handles the high-leverage spots—think 7th or 8th inning—just before the closer comes in. His sinker, which touches triple digits, has become his calling card and gives hitters fits.

He’s especially tough on right-handed batters. Managers Dave Roberts and Brandon Gomes often call on him when they need a ground ball or a big out against a power hitter.

Injuries have popped up now and then, but when Graterol’s healthy, he’s been steady. He’s also added more to his pitch mix, making him a more complete reliever than when he arrived.

Key Teammates and Manager

Manager Dave Roberts has shown a lot of faith in Graterol, trusting him in big spots. Roberts’ bullpen moves have paired Graterol with other top relievers like Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen.

Veterans like Clayton Kershaw have helped Graterol along, and the bullpen group—including Alex Vesia—has become pretty close-knit.

Graterol’s passion is obvious. He celebrates big strikeouts with fist pumps or by pointing skyward, and that energy has rubbed off on teammates like Mookie Betts and Walker Buehler.

Performance in the World Series

When October rolls around, Graterol’s been ready. During the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series run, he came up clutch against the Tampa Bay Rays, helping LA clinch its first title in over three decades.

He’s shown he can keep the ball in the park and get weak contact in the postseason. The big stage doesn’t seem to rattle him at all.

Graterol’s current contract with the Dodgers shows how much the team values him. After avoiding arbitration in January 2024 with a one-year, $2.7 million deal, he’s still a bargain for a club chasing another championship.

2025 Season Projection

Looking ahead, 2025 shapes up as a crucial year for Graterol as he works his way back from shoulder surgery. How he bounces back and fits into the Dodgers’ bullpen could have a big impact on both his future and the team’s playoff hopes.

Expected Role and Bullpen Dynamics

Graterol will likely ease back into high-leverage roles by mid-2025. At first, the Dodgers will probably keep a close eye on his workload, especially after shoulder rehab.

He’ll start out in a setup role, working behind closer Evan Phillips. If his velocity returns to triple digits, though, Graterol could push for more save opportunities. That ground ball ability of his is always valuable late in close games.

The Dodgers tend to mix and match in the bullpen, so Graterol should see plenty of chances in big spots once he’s fully healthy. Dave Roberts has often trusted him to get a quick double play when the pressure’s on.

Key Pitching Staff and New Additions

The 2025 Dodgers rotation looks stacked, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow leading the way. Their ability to go deep into games should help keep the bullpen fresh and take some pressure off Graterol as he ramps up.

Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound adds another wrinkle. With a possible six-man rotation, the bullpen might get a bit more rest, which could really help Graterol as he works back to form.

Gavin Stone is another young arm to watch, and rumors keep swirling about Japanese star Roki Sasaki joining midseason. The deep rotation will shape how Roberts uses Graterol throughout the year.

The Dodgers’ front office has also signed a few veteran relievers to minor league deals, just in case they need extra depth as Graterol works his way back.

Potential Challenges and Improvements

The main hurdle for Graterol in 2025 is his shoulder recovery. Reports suggest the Dodgers will take it slow, with his top-end velocity likely coming back after the All-Star break.

Before the injury, Graterol sometimes struggled with command, so he’ll need to stay on top of his mechanics after surgery. Pitching coach Mark Prior is working with him on refining that slider, hoping it becomes a real weapon against lefties.

At an estimated $2.8 million salary for 2025, Graterol could be a steal if he’s healthy. The Dodgers’ analytics team has set up a program to monitor his pitch effectiveness and arm health during his comeback.

He’s also been working with team nutritionists and trainers to keep his weight and conditioning on point during rehab.

Contract and Salary Details

Brusdar Graterol has steadily earned more with the Dodgers, and his contracts reflect just how important he’s become in their bullpen. He’s turned himself into one of the most reliable relief pitchers in the game, and the Dodgers have paid attention.

Current Contract Structure

Brusdar Graterol signed an arbitration-avoiding contract worth $2.8 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2025 season. That’s a pretty big jump from what he made before, and it definitely shows the Dodgers trust him more than ever.

The contract’s about as simple as it gets—no hidden bonuses or weird incentives. It’s just a one-year deal, keeping him with LA for now.

Graterol’s become a real asset in the Dodgers’ bullpen, especially when you look at their massive payroll and those players on historic $700 million contract deals. He doesn’t crack the top tier for reliever salaries, but his paycheck fits his role on a team that’s always chasing a title.

Salary History and Earnings

Graterol’s paychecks have only gone up since he broke into the big leagues. He started his pro career after signing his first contract in 2014, but the real money started flowing once he joined the Dodgers.

In 2023, Graterol earned $1,225,000 as his base salary. Then, in 2024, he landed a solid raise with a contract for $2.7 million.

His 2025 contract at $2.8 million is a smaller bump, but it keeps with the typical arbitration trend for a reliever who’s doing his job well:

Year	Salary	Team
2023	$1,225,000	Dodgers
2024	$2,700,000	Dodgers
2025	$2,800,000	Dodgers

Free Agent Timeline

Graterol stays under Dodgers control for now, thanks to the arbitration process. He isn’t eligible for free agency just yet.

The Dodgers will probably keep offering him one-year deals through arbitration, and if he keeps performing, those numbers should keep inching up.

Unless something changes, Graterol will hit free agency after the 2026 season. That means LA has him locked in for two more years after 2025.

When he finally gets to free agency, his market value will really depend on how he pitches over the next couple seasons—especially if he can stay healthy and maybe even pick up some closing experience. Teams love relievers who can throw gas like Graterol.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Brusdar Graterol has built up some real financial value during his time with the Dodgers. Most of it comes from his contracts, but he’s also picked up some business partnerships along the way.

Estimated Net Worth

People estimate Graterol’s net worth somewhere between $2.8 million and $5 million. Reports say his net worth jumped a lot around 2022-2023, which makes sense with his bigger role and better performance.

His main income is his salary. Graterol earned $2,826,141 in career earnings before his current deal. In 2023, he signed a one-year deal worth $2,800,000 with the Dodgers.

The Venezuelan reliever’s previous salary was $1,225,000, showing how much his value’s climbed as he’s become a key bullpen guy.

Endorsement Deals and Partnerships

Graterol doesn’t have the endorsement empire of some MLB stars, but he’s started to pick up partnerships that fit his growing reputation. With a fastball over 100 mph, he’s an obvious fit for baseball equipment brands.

Most of his endorsement details stay under wraps, but you’ll see him using custom Wilson gloves in games. These kinds of deals bring in some extra cash on top of his salary.

As he keeps making a name for himself, especially in LA, more endorsement deals will probably come his way. He’s got a big personality and those wild mound celebrations—brands love that stuff.

Pitching Style and Performance

Brusdar Graterol stands out as one of MLB’s most unique pitchers, mixing insane velocity with movement you just don’t see every day. His style blends raw power with just enough finesse to keep hitters guessing.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The big thing with Graterol is that he throws crazy hard and makes it look easy. His sinker hits 100+ mph, and it moves a ton, turning hitters into ground ball machines.

He’s gotten a lot better with his command since joining the Dodgers, but he still struggles sometimes with his breaking stuff.

One knock on him: his strikeout numbers aren’t as high as you’d expect for a guy who throws that hard. He pitches to contact more than some flamethrowers.

People have also worried about his durability after some time on the injured list. All that arm strength can take a toll on his shoulder and elbow.

Improvement Over Time

Since his debut, Graterol’s really worked on his secondary pitches. His slider, for instance, went from something he just showed hitters to a real weapon, especially against righties.

He’s also added a cutter (11.9% usage), which helps a lot against left-handed hitters. Developing this pitch has made a big difference for him.

His control keeps getting better. Walks are down, ground balls are up, and he’s become more reliable in tough spots.

Mentally, there’s been some growth too. Early on, if runners got on base, he’d sometimes lose focus. Now, he’s a lot calmer and doesn’t let a jam rattle him.

Signature Pitches and Metrics

Graterol uses five pitches, but his sinker (41.6%) and slider (30.7%) are his bread and butter. He’ll mix in a four-seamer (14.9%) mostly to change hitters’ eye levels.

His sinker stands out for a few reasons:

• Velocity that sits around 99-100 mph
• Tons of horizontal movement
• Ground ball rates that crush the league average

Statcast loves Graterol’s stuff. He’s usually near the top for:

• Lowest exit velocity allowed
• Hard hit percentage
• Barrel percentage

So even though he doesn’t rack up huge strikeout totals, hitters just can’t square him up. That sinker-slider combo is brutal.

Injuries and Health

Brusdar Graterol’s career has hit a few rough patches thanks to injuries, and he’s missed plenty of time because of them.

Tommy John Surgery

His first big setback came back in 2016, when he had Tommy John surgery while still in the Twins’ minor leagues. That elbow surgery wiped out all of 2016 and a chunk of 2017.

Coming back from that wasn’t easy—he was just starting to show what he could do. But after a long rehab, he got his fastball back, regularly throwing triple digits again.

A lot of pitchers never get their old velocity back after that kind of surgery, but Graterol bounced back. The Twins took it slow, building up his arm strength before letting him loose.

Shoulder Inflammation

Lately, his shoulder’s given him more trouble. In 2023, he landed on the IL a couple times with inflammation, which really interrupted what looked like a breakout year.

Things got worse heading into 2025, when he needed major shoulder surgery. Reports in January 2025 said he signed a $2.8 million deal for the season, even though he probably won’t be back from surgery until well into the year.

It’s a tough blow for both Graterol and the Dodgers’ bullpen. The timing really stings, since he’d just become a high-leverage guy for LA.

Personal Life and Off-Field Interests

Off the mound, Brusdar Graterol keeps things pretty grounded. He’s got a strong family life and likes to give back to the community.

Family and Relationships

Graterol never forgets his roots—he’s talked a lot about how his mom’s sacrifices in Venezuela made his baseball career possible. She worked multiple jobs to keep his dream alive.

He’s married to Allison Landa, and if you check his social media, you’ll see her pop up often. They had their first child in 2021, which clearly meant a lot to him as his Dodgers career was taking off.

Even with the grind of the MLB season, Graterol carves out time for family. Becoming a dad has given him a new perspective and more motivation to succeed.

Charity and Community Work

Graterol gets involved in community outreach both in LA and back home in Venezuela, especially for kids. He’s active in Dodgers Foundation programs, helping bring baseball to places where it’s needed most.

Some of the ways he gives back:

• Hosting youth baseball clinics in Venezuela
• Donating gear to underfunded baseball programs
• Visiting hospitals to lift kids’ spirits

During COVID-19, he used his platform to promote health safety and pitched in for relief efforts.

His charity work shows real gratitude for what baseball’s given him, and he wants to open doors for other kids facing tough circumstances.

Media Presence and Popularity

Brusdar Graterol’s made a name for himself not just with his pitching, but with the energy and flair he brings to the Dodgers. Fans love his high-octane sinker and those big celebrations.

Interviews and Public Appearances

Graterol’s interviews show off his personality and his journey in the game. In 2023, he did a bunch of post-game chats about his pitching and recovery from injuries. One especially emotional interview after coming off the IL got a lot of attention.

He’s been featured on the Dodgers’ official channels, including their YouTube show “Backstage Dodgers.” His Spanish interviews connect him with fans back in Venezuela and across Latin America.

You’ll also see him at community events in LA, meeting fans through charity work and baseball camps. Stuff like that really strengthens his bond with Dodgers fans.

Images and Videos

Graterol’s most viral moments almost always show him celebrating after a big strikeout. That sky-pointing gesture after an inning is classic.

The Dodgers’ social media team loves showing off his bullpen entrances and quirky pre-pitch routines. Those videos get a ton of engagement compared to other relievers.

Photographers have caught his unique delivery in some great shots, with images of his 100+ mph sinker showing up in sports magazines everywhere. His energy and emotion make him a favorite for baseball photographers.

Fans keep making highlight reels of his nastiest pitches, especially during the playoffs. Thanks to his estimated net worth of $5 million, he’s even invested in some pro-level content for his own social media.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Brusdar Graterol’s carved out a reputation as one of the most electric relievers in the game, bringing energy and a unique style that’s left a mark on the Dodgers and the National League as a whole.

Influence on Teammates

Graterol’s passion on the mound is already the stuff of legend in the Dodgers clubhouse. When he lets loose with those wild celebrations after a big strikeout, you can almost feel the energy shift in the dugout. The team feeds off it, especially in those nail-biter games. Some Dodgers pitchers have even said Graterol’s intense prep and mental grit pushed them to level up their own routines.

“Watching Brusdar prepare and compete has changed how I approach high-pressure situations,” one Dodgers reliever admitted in a 2023 interview.

He’s bounced back from more than his share of injuries, too. Even after tough stretches—like that shoulder inflammation that benched him during some crucial stretches—Graterol kept coming back stronger. That kind of resilience? It’s pretty hard for teammates not to notice.

Contributions to the National League

In the National League, Graterol has really shaken up how teams think about middle relievers and setup guys. He fires fastballs that top 100 mph, and the way those pitches move? It’s wild enough that opposing managers have to rethink their late-game plans against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After he joined the National League in 2020, Graterol started showing up big in the postseason. He came in during some tense pennant races and locked down innings that kept the Dodgers alive in crucial games.

Younger pitchers around the league have started picking up on Graterol’s style. His mechanics look so smooth—almost effortless, even when he’s throwing heat. A lot of National League prospects have watched him closely, hoping to figure out how he gets that kind of velocity without looking like he’s maxing out.