Carson Kelly – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Carson Kelly has carved out a reputation as a dependable catcher in Major League Baseball since he first put on a St. Louis Cardinals uniform in 2016.

At 30, Kelly keeps growing his game, especially during his stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he really showed off his defensive skills and started to find his swing at the plate.

Right now, Kelly plays under a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, which pays him an average of $5.75 million a year. That’s a nice bump from his previous one-year, $4.275 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks he signed in January 2023 to avoid salary arbitration.

As of 2024, folks estimate Kelly’s net worth to be around $5 million, built mostly from his baseball paychecks.

With his current contract running through 2026, Kelly keeps stacking up both his finances and his reputation as a steady, respected big league catcher.

Early Life and Background

Carson Kelly’s path to the majors started in the Midwest, shaped by family support and early opportunities that let his baseball talent shine.

Birthplace and Family

Carson Franklin Kelly was born on July 14, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois.

He didn’t stay in Chicago long, bouncing between Georgia and Tennessee as a kid because of his dad’s job.

His parents noticed his skills early and pushed him to keep playing.

Kelly grew up in a close family that cared about school and sports.

His dad, who played college ball himself, taught Carson the basics and spent weekends helping him practice.

Those backyard sessions set the tone for everything that came after.

Education and Amateur Highlights

Kelly went to Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, where he quickly made a name for himself as a top baseball prospect.

He mostly played third base in high school but started learning the ropes as a catcher too.

At Westview, he balanced good grades with standout play on the field.

He earned All-State honors and grabbed the 2012 Oregon Player of the Year award.

After high school, the St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the second round (86th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft.

Instead of playing college ball, Kelly signed with the Cardinals at just 17.

That move kicked off his journey from promising kid to pro ballplayer.

Professional Baseball Career

Carson Kelly has become a trusted MLB catcher, working his way up from hyped prospect to experienced veteran.

His career has included plenty of development, team changes, and some memorable moments.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Kelly broke into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals on September 5, 2016, at 22.

The Cardinals drafted him as a third baseman in 2012, but he switched to catching in the minors.

He had a tough time getting regular playing time because Yadier Molina, one of the game’s best catchers, blocked his path.

Kelly only played 63 games over three seasons in St. Louis.

He spent those years working on his defense, earning praise for the way he handled pitchers and his steady hands.

Even with limited chances, most prospect rankings put him near the top among young catchers.

Teams and Trades

Kelly’s career shifted when the Cardinals traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in December 2018 as part of the Paul Goldschmidt deal.

Arizona finally gave him the shot to start behind the plate.

With the Diamondbacks, Kelly got regular playing time and showed he could handle both defense and hitting.

He spent five seasons as Arizona’s main catcher, proving his worth on both sides of the ball.

In 2023, Kelly signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.

He then joined the Chicago Cubs in 2024 on a two-year, $11.5 million contract.

Cubs president Jed Hoyer pointed to Kelly’s game-calling and veteran leadership as reasons for the move.

Career Achievements

Over the years, Kelly has become a strong defensive catcher with a bat that keeps getting better.

His best season so far came in 2019 with the Diamondbacks, when he hit .245 with 18 homers and 47 RBIs in 111 games.

Pitch framing? Kelly’s numbers have stayed above average, making pitchers happy to throw to him.

He’s shown he can handle all types of pitchers and help young arms grow.

In 2021, Kelly posted a career-high .340 on-base percentage, showing off better patience at the plate.

He’s never made an All-Star team, but teammates and coaches respect him as a steady, everyday presence.

His caught-stealing rate sits around league average, but pitchers often praise his ability to call a good game.

Significant On-Field Moments

One of Kelly’s biggest games came on July 26, 2019, when he smacked two home runs against the Miami Marlins and drove in three runs to help the Diamondbacks win.

During the shortened 2020 season, he hit a walk-off double versus the Texas Rangers, showing he could deliver in the clutch.

Kelly’s faced setbacks too, like a fractured wrist in 2021 that kept him out for weeks.

He bounced back from that injury, proving his determination and work ethic.

Since joining the Cubs, Kelly has built strong relationships with pitchers, earning respect for his prep work and planning.

His $4,275,000 salary in 2025 reflects the value teams place on his experience.

Contract Details and Financials

Carson Kelly’s financial path in MLB shows how he’s grown as a player and how the market values solid catchers.

You can see his progress in the way his contracts have improved over time.

Current Contract Overview

In December 2024, Kelly signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

He’ll earn $5 million per year for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

There’s a mutual option for 2027 worth about $7.5 million, giving both Kelly and the Cubs some flexibility after the guaranteed years.

The Cubs wanted Kelly for his experience and defense, hoping to shore up their catching depth.

Signing Bonuses and Salary Progression

Kelly’s paychecks have come a long way since his early days.

His 2025 salary of $4,275,000 is the result of steady growth.

Unlike some players, Kelly’s current deal doesn’t include a signing bonus; instead, the money is spread evenly.

His total earnings have helped him build an estimated net worth of about $5 million as of 2024.

That number likely includes some endorsement money as well.

Free Agency and Offseason Moves

After the 2024 season, Kelly hit free agency and eventually landed with Chicago.

That marked a new chapter after his time in St. Louis and Arizona.

The 2024-2025 offseason saw several teams interested in Kelly.

The Cubs locked him up with a multi-year deal that balanced guaranteed money and future options.

Market demand for catchers helped drive his contract value up.

Teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore also searched for catching help during that winter.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Carson Kelly has built up real financial value through his playing career, endorsements, and a few investments.

His portfolio reflects smart negotiations and some off-field business moves.

Estimated Net Worth

As of 2025, Kelly’s net worth sits at around $12.47 million.

Most of that comes from baseball, especially his recent two-year, $10 million contract with the Cubs.

That deal also includes a mutual option for 2027 worth $7.5 million, which could boost his earnings even more.

Before joining the Cubs, Kelly made decent but growing salaries with the Cardinals and Diamondbacks.

He’s invested in real estate too, including property in St. Louis and Arizona.

Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships

Kelly has picked up a few endorsement deals along the way.

His main equipment partner is Rawlings, which fits his reputation as a defense-first catcher.

He also works with New Balance for shoes and Under Armour for training gear.

These deals usually come with appearance fees and some bonuses.

As he’s settled in with the Cubs, Kelly has started to show up in local ads for car dealerships and in promotions for Cubs sponsors.

His social media following isn’t massive, but it gives him another way to connect with fans and brands.

Charitable Work and Philanthropy

Kelly puts part of his earnings toward giving back, especially for youth baseball in underprivileged areas.

He runs an annual camp that provides gear and coaching for kids who might not otherwise get a chance to play.

In 2023, he started the Carson Kelly Foundation, which supports youth sports and education.

The foundation awards college scholarships every year to student-athletes who excel in school.

During the pandemic, Kelly donated to Arizona food banks and helped healthcare workers.

Since moving to Chicago, he’s kept up his community work and often joins his wife at Cubs charity events, hospital visits, and fundraisers.

Personal Life and Legacy

Off the field, Carson Kelly keeps things pretty balanced, focusing on his family and a few hobbies.

His Chicago roots and love for baseball shape a lot of his choices.

Personal Interests

When he’s not catching, Kelly likes spending time outdoors.

He loves fishing in the offseason and sometimes shares his catches online.

It’s a way for him to unwind between baseball seasons.

Kelly, born in Chicago but raised in Oregon, still feels connected to both places.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest made him appreciate hiking and exploring nature.

He also cares about helping kids get into baseball.

Kelly often shows up at clinics and charity games when he’s not in uniform.

Family Connections in Sports

Kelly’s family has always had deep roots in sports. His dad worked in global brand marketing for Nike, so Carson got a peek behind the curtain at the business side of sports from an early age.

That kind of background definitely shaped how he sees the whole professional sports world—he gets that it’s a lot more than just playing ball.

People sometimes mix him up with Carson Palmer, the former NFL quarterback. It’s kind of funny, but Kelly’s carved out his own thing in baseball, no question about it.

His parents grew up in Chicago and passed down their love for the city’s sports teams. That made his signing with the Chicago Cubs in December 2024 feel like a homecoming.

Kelly’s talked about how special it is to play for the team he watched as a kid. That’s got to feel pretty surreal.