Carmen Mlodzinski – Pittsburgh Pirates Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Carmen Mlodzinski, a rising talent in Major League Baseball, has been turning heads with the Pittsburgh Pirates since the team drafted him in 2020.

Born on February 19, 1999, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, this right-handed pitcher has flashed potential since his college days at the University of South Carolina.

By 2025, Mlodzinski earns $775,000 per year with the Pirates, and his estimated net worth sits at around $2.4 million. He started his path to the majors as the 31st overall pick in the competitive balance round of the 2020 MLB Draft, signing for a bonus of $2.05 million.

The Pirates called him up on June 16, 2023, and he made his MLB debut at 26.

With just over a year of service time at 1.088 by January 2025, Mlodzinski still sits in pre-arbitration. If he keeps impressing, bigger contracts might be on the horizon.

Early Life and Background

Mlodzinski’s baseball journey started in South Carolina, where his early years and education laid the groundwork for his future as a Pirates pitcher.

Those beginnings and his amateur days set the stage for what came later on the mound.

Childhood and Family

Carmen Alexander Mlodzinski was born on February 19, 1999, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Growing up in the coastal town, he found his love for baseball early.

His family really encouraged his athletic pursuits and cheered him on in local youth leagues.

Life in the South Carolina lowcountry gave him plenty of opportunities to play year-round.

Friends and coaches from those days remember a determined kid with a strong right arm.

Hilton Head shaped his competitive edge and work ethic—traits that would pay off in college and the pros.

Education and Amateur Career

Mlodzinski attended Hilton Head High School and stood out as a top pitcher.

His high school stats caught the attention of college scouts, leading him to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

At the University of South Carolina, he played under coach Mark Kingston.

He hit a rough patch with an injury that limited his sophomore season, but he bounced back.

His junior year was a turning point—he made big strides and earned recognition from Baseball America as one of the top college arms.

Mlodzinski’s performance in the Cape Cod League also boosted his draft chances.

There, he showed off a mid-90s fastball and some sharp off-speed stuff against tough competition.

That summer really helped him stand out as a pro prospect.

Professional Career Overview

Mlodzinski has carved out a role as a promising pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, bringing high-velocity stuff and a bit of tactical flair to the bullpen.

His trip through the minors and into MLB shows steady progress as a relief pitcher.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Mlodzinski broke into the majors with the Pirates in 2023 and wasted no time making an impression.

He brought the experience he gained in college straight to the big leagues, showing solid command from day one.

Before his call-up, he spent time in the Pirates’ farm system, working on his mechanics.

During his rookie season, his numbers caught manager Derek Shelton’s eye.

Like most rookies, he faced some bumps—major league hitters are tough—but he adapted quickly.

He seemed to thrive against division rivals like the Cubs and Cardinals, handling the pressure well.

Teams and Notable Seasons

The 2023 season was a breakthrough for Mlodzinski in Pittsburgh.

He earned $720,000 and proved himself as a valuable bullpen piece.

For 2024, his contract bumped up to $775,000, reflecting the Pirates’ faith in him.

His stats kept improving as he settled in.

Analysts and fans liked his velocity and control.

A short stint on the injured list tested him, but he came back with more focus.

He kept delivering in big moments, especially against NL Central teams.

Pitching Roles and Rotation

Mlodzinski has mostly worked out of the Pirates’ bullpen, but his versatility gives the team options.

He brings a strong right arm with mid-90s fastballs and some nasty breaking pitches.

The Pirates haven’t used him as a closer, but he’s gotten key late-inning assignments.

He can pitch multiple innings too, which gives the bullpen some breathing room.

Sometimes, he’s teamed up with other young Pirates pitchers like Bailey Falter and rookie Jared Jones.

Back in his first spring training, he arrived as a non-roster invitee and quickly earned his spot.

The Pirates front office keeps a close eye on his development, balancing what the team needs now with his long-term growth.

His contract is still team-friendly, and arbitration is down the road.

Pitching Style and Performance

Mlodzinski’s pitching style blends power with finesse.

He’s got a mix of pitches that’s helped him stick with the Pirates.

Since joining the majors, he’s shown steady gains in key pitching stats.

Fastball and Repertoire

He leans on a six-pitch mix, but his four-seam fastball is his bread and butter, making up 34.7% of his pitches.

That heater sits in the mid-90s, so he can challenge hitters up in the zone.

But it’s not just the fastball—he mixes in breaking balls and off-speed pitches to keep batters guessing.

His pitch sequencing has gotten better with experience.

In 2025, the data shows his pitches give up an average exit velocity of 89.5 mph.

Strikeout Rate and Walk Rate

Mlodzinski knows how to get swings and misses when he needs them.

He attacks the zone but keeps enough deception to avoid barrels.

His 2025 numbers show he’s balancing power with control.

He’s kept a solid strikeout rate while limiting walks, which is key for any MLB pitcher.

Batters have a .378 wOBA but only a .361 xwOBA against him, so maybe he’s had a bit of bad luck on balls in play.

He also keeps his barrel rate at 6.7%, helping him avoid the worst contact.

K/BB Ratio and Sub-4.00 ERA

Mlodzinski’s improving K/BB ratio really shows how far he’s come.

He’s learned to strike guys out without giving up too many free passes.

That’s been huge in his push to keep a sub-4.00 ERA, which is kind of the line between decent and really good pitching these days.

He’s also shown he can work in both starting and relief roles, though the Pirates mostly use him out of the pen.

His hard-hit rate is 40% in 2025, so when hitters connect, they can do damage.

Still, he limits the real trouble by controlling counts and hitting his spots.

If he keeps trending up, that $775,000 salary for 2025 could be a steal for Pittsburgh.

Contract History and Salary Details

Mlodzinski’s contract story with the Pirates is pretty typical for a young pitcher finding his financial footing in MLB.

His current salary reflects his spot as a developing player, and the terms set up his future earning potential.

Initial Contract and Signing

The Pirates picked Mlodzinski in the competitive MLB draft.

He signed on with the usual rookie contract, which is standard for most newcomers.

That first MLB deal put him under team control for six years of service time before he can hit free agency.

During his minor league climb, he made the usual modest salaries before finally reaching the majors.

Salary Progression by Season

Right now, Mlodzinski’s salary is $775,000 with the Pirates.

That’s up a bit from last year, when he made about $720,000.

This year-over-year bump matches what you’d expect for someone in his position and service time bracket.

His contract includes $775,000 guaranteed, giving him some financial stability as he keeps working on his game.

It’s a one-year deal for now, so future negotiations will hinge on how he performs.

Arbitration and Opt-Out Clauses

Mlodzinski isn’t eligible for arbitration yet.

MLB’s arbitration process usually starts after three years of service time, letting players argue for bigger salaries.

His contract probably sticks to the standard pre-arbitration structure, where the team controls the salary numbers until he’s got enough service time.

There aren’t any publicly known opt-out clauses in his deal, which is normal for young players.

Those kinds of provisions usually show up in big free-agent contracts for established guys, not rookies.

When he does hit arbitration, Mlodzinski could see a big jump in pay if he keeps pitching well.

Buyout and Free Agency

Mlodzinski has to wait for six full years of MLB service time before he can hit free agency. Since he only debuted recently, he’s still a few years away from that.

The Pirates hold team control over him under the usual MLB contract rules. That means pre-arbitration years first, then maybe three years of arbitration before he could even think about free agency.

These early years give the team a lot of flexibility while Mlodzinski keeps working on his game.

His net worth is estimated at $2,464,197. That number covers his career earnings so far, plus any side deals or investments he’s picked up.

Nobody’s reported any buyout clauses in his current contract. Honestly, that’s not surprising—teams usually save those for longer deals, not for young guys still under team control.

Net Worth and Off-Field Endeavors

Carmen Mlodzinski has started building his financial future through his MLB career. He’s also looked into a few things outside of baseball, just to keep his options open.

His net worth reflects both his salary as a ballplayer and his own financial management.

Net Worth Estimates

Mlodzinski’s net worth sits at about $2,464,197 right now. That’s grown bit by bit since he first went pro.

Most of his wealth comes from his MLB contract earnings. His current salary is $775,000 per year with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He’s benefited from his rookie contract and some bumps in pay as he’s performed better. Sure, he’s not one of the top-paid relievers yet, but his improving ERA could set him up for potential earnings growth when it’s time to negotiate again.

His financial advisors have helped him set up investment strategies. They’re focusing on long-term security, which honestly makes sense for any young MLB player thinking about life after baseball.

Endorsements and Business Ventures

Mlodzinski doesn’t chase after flashy endorsement deals like some of the bigger MLB names. Instead, he’s stuck with a modest lineup—mostly regional partnerships around Pittsburgh and the usual equipment sponsorships you’d expect for a pitcher at this stage.

He’s started dipping his toes into real estate investments. That’s a route a lot of athletes seem to take, probably to keep their options open for income after baseball. Word is, he picked up some property back in his home state and keeps looking for business ideas he might jump into once his playing days wrap up.

His social media? It’s not huge, but it’s there. He uses it just enough to leave the door open for brand partnerships. Every now and then, you’ll catch him teaming up with MLB.com for videos about pitching or stories about how he’s grown his career.

He’s mentioned wanting to get involved in youth baseball too. Maybe, down the road, he’ll end up coaching or running training camps—who knows?