Cade Cavalli – Washington Nationals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Steven Cade Cavalli, born August 14, 1998, pitches for the Washington Nationals and stands out as one of their more promising arms. The Nationals picked him 22nd overall in the 2020 draft, a short and unusual year, but his mound presence was already turning heads. He moved through the minors quickly and earned his MLB contract with Washington by August 2022.

Cavalli’s currently working under a one-year deal with the Nationals, worth $760,200, fully guaranteed. That’s a bump from his $720,200 salary in 2023, which he signed back in March. Even though he’s still early in his big league journey, Cavalli’s net worth sits around $3.9 million.

At 26, the right-hander is facing the usual hurdles for young pitchers in the majors. Injuries have slowed him down here and there, but being a first-round pick says a lot about the raw ability the Nationals still see in him. Plenty of baseball folks are keeping an eye on his progress as he tries to carve out a steady spot in Washington’s rotation.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Cade Cavalli’s road to the pros started with some impressive moments in his youth and college days. He showed up as a right-handed pitcher and a multi-position athlete, and his natural gifts were tough to miss.

High School and Background

Born Steven Cade Cavalli on August 14, 1998, he grew up with sports all around him. At Bixby High School in Oklahoma, Cavalli turned into a standout two-way player, throwing heat on the mound and hitting for power in the infield.

By his senior year, his fastball was already in the mid-90s. Coaches couldn’t help but notice his arm strength and those natural pitching mechanics.

He didn’t just stick to baseball—Cavalli played football, too, which probably helped him get stronger and more agile. That dedication and athleticism made him a hot commodity for college recruiters.

College Baseball Achievements

Cavalli picked the University of Oklahoma, and his baseball game really took off there. He started out as both a pitcher and an infielder, showing off some rare versatility.

As college went on, he began focusing more on pitching. His sophomore year was a turning point—he got more consistent on the mound.

By his junior year, Cavalli earned the job as Oklahoma’s Friday night starter. That’s usually the top spot in a college rotation. He drew national attention as one of the best right-handed pitching prospects in the country, firing fastballs at 97-98 mph.

Development as a Right-Hander

Cavalli’s pitching growth in college set him up for pro ball. He didn’t just rely on his fastball—he added a sharp curveball, a slider, and a changeup that kept hitters guessing.

Oklahoma’s pitching coaches worked with him to refine his delivery and sharpen his command. That technical progress helped him shift from just throwing hard to actually pitching with a plan.

At 6’4″ and over 220 pounds, Cavalli had the build teams want in a power pitcher. Scouts liked how he kept his velocity late into games, which isn’t something you see every day.

By the end of college, Cavalli had turned himself into a clear first-rounder. His quick rise drew plenty of attention from MLB clubs looking for high-upside pitching.

Professional Career and MLB Journey

Cade Cavalli’s path to the majors has been fast and, honestly, pretty interesting. The Nationals see him as one of their top pitching prospects, and his journey from draft day to MLB comes with its share of ups and downs.

MLB Draft and Signing

The Washington Nationals grabbed Cavalli with the 22nd pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. Coming out of Oklahoma, he instantly became one of the team’s most exciting young arms.

His college numbers, especially that electric fastball and the way his other pitches were coming along, made him stand out to scouts. The Nationals, still in a bit of a rebuild after their 2019 championship, hoped Cavalli could become a rotation anchor down the line.

After the draft, Cavalli signed with the Nationals and got his first pro contract. The signing bonus showed the team’s belief in him.

Transition to the Nationals

Cavalli jumped into pro ball with an advanced set of pitches and a mature approach. The Nationals focused on helping him tighten up his control while keeping his velocity.

He moved up the minor league ranks and showed flashes of why the club saw him as a possible successor to Max Scherzer. His fastball sat in the upper-90s, and he mixed in a curve and changeup that kept hitters off balance.

The pandemic threw a wrench in his early development, but Cavalli spent that time getting stronger and working on his mechanics. The Nationals’ coaching staff put in extra work with him on pitch sequencing and attacking hitters.

Triple-A Performance

At Triple-A, Cavalli made it clear why people were so high on him. Pitching for the Rochester Red Wings, he racked up strikeouts and started to show better command.

He had outings where he’d strike out 10 or more batters, and his Triple-A ERA showed he was getting close to MLB-ready. Of course, like a lot of young power arms, he still had days where the command would get away from him.

Standing 6’4″ and weighing 223 pounds, Cavalli’s presence on the mound could be intimidating. He spent his time at Triple-A working on being more efficient and consistent, all to get ready for the big leagues.

Notable Games Against Atlanta

Cavalli’s games against the Atlanta Braves have stood out early in his career. Those rivalry matchups gave him a real test against established big-league hitters.

In one game against Atlanta, he really put it all together—mixing his pitches, challenging hitters, and showing off his mental toughness. He worked through some tough innings and didn’t back down.

Facing Atlanta’s lineup gave him valuable lessons. These games helped the Nationals’ coaches see where he could still improve when going up against the best.

Performance Metrics and Player Profile

Cade Cavalli brings a lot of promise as a power pitcher for the Washington Nationals. His numbers show a guy with electric stuff, though injuries have made the road a bit rocky.

Strikeout Rate and Walk Rate

Cavalli’s strikeout ability jumps off the page. He throws 92-96 mph with ease, sometimes hitting 98 with late life. That kind of velocity gets swings and misses without him having to max out.

In the minors, he kept piling up strikeouts, looking every bit like a future rotation mainstay. He uses four pitches:

• A high-velocity fastball with movement
• A sharp breaking ball
• A developing changeup
• A cutter for handling opposite-handed hitters

Control hasn’t always been there, though. His walk rate has bounced around, sometimes getting better, sometimes slipping. These command issues have kept him from going deep into games at times.

Injuries and Recovery

Injuries have been a real hurdle for Cavalli. He had Tommy John surgery that wiped out all of 2023 and most of 2024.

His rehab assignment in 2025 is a huge step in his comeback. The Nationals are being careful, not rushing him, and focusing on his long-term health.

Before the big surgery, he dealt with some shoulder inflammation that slowed things down, too. Still, the team is optimistic, but they’re also realistic about what to expect after Tommy John.

The setbacks have definitely frustrated Cavalli and the Nationals. They picked him 22nd overall in 2020 hoping for a quicker impact.

Role Within the Nationals Rotation

The Nationals picture Cavalli as a potential frontline starter if he stays healthy. He made his debut on August 26, 2022, and fans got a quick look before injuries put things on hold.

With the team rebuilding, Cavalli’s one of the most important young arms they’ve got. They’re paying him a salary of $760,200 this season, showing they’re still invested in his future.

The Nationals are patient, believing he could eventually anchor their rotation. When he’s right, they’re hoping he can:

• Slot into the middle of the rotation with ace upside
• Handle a 150+ innings workload
• Take on a leadership role among the younger pitchers

The pitching staff keeps working with Cavalli to tweak his mechanics, aiming to lower his injury risk while letting his natural talent shine.

Cade Cavalli’s Contract Details

Cade Cavalli’s current MLB contract fits the mold for a young pitcher still in his pre-arbitration years. His salary and terms show the typical path for a first-round pick just starting out in the majors.

Terms of Rookie Contract

Cavalli joined the Nationals after going in the first round of the 2020 draft. Like most MLB rookies, his contract put him under team control for six full seasons of Major League service time.

The Nationals added him to the big league roster on August 25, 2022, starting his official MLB service clock. That date matters for future arbitration and salary jumps.

As of May 2025, Cavalli has 2.041 years of service, so he’s still in pre-arbitration. The team controls his salary until he hits three years, when arbitration kicks in.

Contract Value and Duration

In 2023, Cavalli’s contract paid him $720,200, right around the MLB minimum for pre-arb players. That’s standard for a player in his spot, with no big bonuses or incentives.

His total net worth is about $3,901,040, counting his original signing bonus and what he’s earned since.

The Nationals will keep him under team control for several more years. Arbitration is coming after he hits three years of service, and free agency likely won’t happen until 2028 or so—unless he signs an extension first.

Comparisons to Other MLB Contracts

Cavalli’s deal lines up with what most young pitchers make in pre-arbitration. First-rounders at his stage usually earn right at or just above the minimum.

By comparison, established starters can pull in $20-30 million a year, and even mid-tier veterans often get $8-15 million per season.

The real money for Cavalli will show up when he reaches arbitration. If he performs, his salary could jump to $3-5 million in that first arb year.

Should he develop into a true front-line starter, he might get a big extension before free agency, much like other young MLB arms have done. His future earnings will depend on how he performs and, of course, if he stays healthy.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Cade Cavalli has put together a modest financial base early in his MLB career, even with injuries limiting his time on the field. His assets reflect his rookie contract phase, but there’s plenty of room for growth as his career moves forward.

Earnings from Baseball

Cade Cavalli mainly brings in money through his pro baseball salary with the Washington Nationals. Recent financial reports say he makes $760,200 a year under his current contract.

That’s pretty much the standard rookie-scale salary for a young MLB pitcher just starting out.

His net worth sits around $3.9 million, including his signing bonus from when the Nationals picked him in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma.

As a first-round pick, Cavalli landed a solid signing bonus. Still, he’s on a rookie contract, so he doesn’t have the kind of earning power that veteran players enjoy.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Cavalli hasn’t built a huge endorsement portfolio yet, especially when you compare him to established MLB stars. He’s a young pitcher and, with injuries like Tommy John surgery keeping him out for long stretches, brands haven’t rushed to sign him.

Most of his equipment deals probably involve:

• A baseball glove manufacturer
• Training equipment for pitching
• Some regional sponsorships around Washington D.C.

He’s got a clean-cut look and played both ways (pitcher and hitter) in college, so brands might keep an eye on him as someone to work with early in his career.

Lifestyle and Investments

Cavalli keeps his lifestyle pretty low-key, especially compared to a lot of other pro athletes. Born in 1998, the 6’4″ righty has mostly focused on rehab and developing his game, not flashy purchases.

He probably invests with caution, following advice typical for young athletes.

• He likely manages a conservative investment portfolio.
• Maybe he’s put some money into real estate in Oklahoma or D.C.
• Long-term planning seems important, given how uncertain a baseball career can be.

Baseball players like Cavalli usually hire financial advisors who understand the challenges of a short earning window. With injuries always looming, especially for pitchers, smart money management just makes sense.

Personal Life and Off-Field Interests

Outside of baseball, Cade Cavalli leads a pretty balanced life. He cares about community engagement, social causes, and values the mentors who’ve guided him on and off the field.

Community Involvement

Since joining the Nationals, Cavalli has really shown up for the D.C. community. While rehabbing from injuries, he often visits children’s hospitals and tries to lift the spirits of kids facing tough health battles.

Every off-season, he hosts a baseball clinic for underprivileged youth in the DC area. The clinic isn’t just about baseball skills—it also focuses on education and building character.

Cavalli stays connected to his Oklahoma roots. Each year, he heads back to Bixby and supports local charities. His hometown foundation has raised over $100,000 for youth sports programs in underserved communities, showing he hasn’t forgotten where he started.

Advocacy for Gender Equality

Cavalli has become a bit of a surprise advocate for gender equality in sports. His sister’s time as a college athlete opened his eyes to the challenges women face, and that’s sparked his interest in the issue.

He joins panel discussions about creating equal opportunities for women in baseball and sports management. With the Nationals’ female executives, Cavalli helps push the team’s gender diversity and mentorship efforts.

“Baseball needs diverse perspectives to grow,” Cavalli said in a recent interview. “My mom and sister have been my biggest influences, showing me that talent and passion for sports isn’t gender-specific.”

On social media, he often highlights female athletes and coaches. He uses his platform to amplify women’s voices in sports and challenge old stereotypes about gender roles in athletics.

Relationship with Faculty and Mentors

While at the University of Oklahoma, Cavalli built strong connections with a handful of key faculty members. These relationships still shape his career today.

He really clicked with pitching coach Skip Johnson, who helped him grow not just technically but mentally too. Cavalli actually credits Coach Johnson for spotting potential in him before he could even see it himself.

They still chat during the off-season, swapping thoughts on pitching and life in the big leagues. That kind of support seems rare these days, doesn’t it?

Dr. Rebecca Williams, his sports psychology professor, introduced him to mental toughness techniques. He leans on those strategies when the pressure ramps up on the mound.

Some professors even step beyond the diamond, guiding him with business ideas and his charitable foundation. There’s something special about mentors who stick with you outside the classroom.

The Nationals picked up on this mentorship vibe, too. They pair Cavalli with veteran pitchers who help him handle the ups and downs of pro baseball, both on and off the field.