Chris Bassitt – Toronto Blue Jays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Chris Bassitt has turned himself into one of baseball’s most reliable starting pitchers since joining the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander’s journey from the Chicago White Sox to a frontline starter really shows off his determination and how much he’s grown over the years.

His steady performance on the mound has led to a pretty significant payday recently.

Chris Bassitt’s current contract with the Toronto Blue Jays is worth $63 million over three years, with his 2025 salary at $18 million and a total career net worth estimated at $79,148,183. That’s a hefty contract, but it makes sense for a dependable starter who can eat innings and consistently deliver quality starts.

They even threw in a $3 million signing bonus, which certainly doesn’t hurt.

Bassitt’s financial rise has gone hand-in-hand with his development on the field. Before he landed the big Blue Jays contract, he avoided arbitration with the New York Mets in 2022, agreeing to a deal worth $8.65 million with a $19 million option.

You can see teams started to value Bassitt’s reliability and experience more as he established himself in the rotation.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Chris Bassitt’s road to Major League Baseball started in his Ohio hometown, where his love for the game took root early. His years in high school and college really set the stage for his professional journey.

Childhood and Background

Christopher Michael Bassitt was born on February 22, 1989, in Toledo, Ohio. Growing up in the Midwest, Bassitt found his passion for baseball early on.

He attended Genoa Area High School in Northwest Ohio. That’s where he started to stand out as a pitcher.

At 6’5″, Bassitt had a clear physical advantage. His height let him generate some nasty downward movement on his pitches—something that would become a big asset later.

During high school, he didn’t just focus on baseball but balanced his life as a student-athlete. His early years in Ohio helped shape his work ethic and determination.

College Baseball Career

After high school, Bassitt decided to stay close to home and attended the University of Akron. He joined the Akron Zips baseball program and kept working on his pitching arsenal and technique.

At Akron, Bassitt really focused on refining his mechanics and expanding his pitch selection. College ball gave him structured coaching and a chance to compete against solid opponents.

He didn’t get the national spotlight that players from bigger programs get, but his steady improvement at Akron caught the eye of pro scouts. Those college years were crucial for his development.

Path to MLB Draft

Bassitt’s shot at pro baseball came in the 2011 MLB Draft, when the Chicago White Sox picked him in the 16th round, 501st overall. Not exactly a high pick, but Bassitt set out to prove himself in pro ball.

Getting drafted that late meant he had to work even harder than the top prospects. That underdog mentality built a kind of resilience that stuck with him.

After the draft, Bassitt joined the White Sox minor league system and began the tough climb toward his big league dream. The road wasn’t easy—he spent years developing and persevering in the minor leagues.

Professional Journey and MLB Career

Chris Bassitt’s MLB journey spans more than a decade and includes stints with three organizations. He’s gone from bullpen arm to frontline starter, facing injuries, trades, and eventually picking up All-Star honors.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Bassitt kicked off his pro career after the Chicago White Sox drafted him in 2011. He made his major league debut with the White Sox on August 30, 2014, showing some real promise as both a starter and reliever.

The White Sox tried him out in both roles early on. In his rookie season, Bassitt pitched 29.2 innings and put up a 3.94 ERA—not bad at all for a first look.

Unfortunately, his early momentum got interrupted by Tommy John surgery in 2016. That forced him to miss a big chunk of development time at a pretty crucial point.

Team Transitions and Trades

Bassitt’s career took a new turn when the White Sox traded him to the Oakland Athletics in a multi-player deal that brought Jeff Samardzija to Chicago after the 2014 season. That trade ended up being a key moment for his future as a starter.

In Oakland, Bassitt worked his way into the rotation after recovering from surgery. He showed a lot of patience and grit during rehab, and eventually became a reliable starter for the A’s from 2018 to 2021.

After seven seasons in Oakland, the A’s traded Bassitt to the New York Mets in March 2022. The Mets picked him up for two pitching prospects, looking to strengthen their rotation with some experience.

After a year with the Mets, Bassitt signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, including a $3 million signing bonus.

Key Seasons and Notable Performances

Bassitt really broke out in 2019 with Oakland, going 10-5 with a 3.81 ERA over 144 innings. That season locked him into the A’s rotation.

His sinker-cutter combo and command of several pitches became his calling card. In the shortened 2020 season, Bassitt put up a 2.29 ERA in 11 starts, helping the A’s reach the playoffs.

He proved tough to square up, getting lots of weak grounders and limiting hard contact.

With the Mets in 2022, Bassitt made 30 starts and went 15-9. That kind of durability helped him land the big contract with Toronto, where he’s kept anchoring their rotation.

In 2023, Bassitt earned $21 million total, including an $18 million base salary. That says a lot about how teams view his value.

All-Star Selection and Honors

Bassitt hit a major milestone in 2021 when he made his first MLB All-Star Game. That honor came after years of steady improvement.

During his All-Star season, he went 12-4 with a 3.15 ERA and struck out 159 batters in 157.1 innings. His control and ability to keep hitters guessing earned him plenty of respect.

Teammates and coaches often mention his work ethic and leadership. Bassitt, known as “C Bass”, bounced back from major surgery and became an All-Star—a real testament to his determination and growth.

Pitching Style and Performance

Chris Bassitt’s approach on the mound is pretty unique. He mixes up his pitches cleverly and uses strategy to get hitters out.

His effectiveness comes from a deep arsenal, good control, and smart use of analytics.

Pitch Arsenal and Mechanics

Bassitt throws six different pitches to keep hitters off-balance. His main weapons are a four-seam fastball (92-94 mph), a sinker with nice movement, and a cutter that works well against lefties.

He also mixes in a curveball, slider, and changeup, adjusting based on matchups.

His delivery has a slight hesitation, adding some deception and making his average velocity play up. Bassitt’s mechanics are smooth and repeatable, which helps him stay effective deep into games.

The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher uses his 6’5″ frame to create a steep angle on his pitches, getting ground balls when he needs them. He’ll even change his arm slot a bit between pitches for extra deception.

Strikeouts and Strikeout Rate

Bassitt has evolved from a pitch-to-contact guy into more of a balanced strikeout pitcher. His strikeout rate usually sits between 8-9 K/9, which is a little above league average.

What stands out is how he can dial up his strikeouts in big moments. With runners in scoring position, he’ll go for that punchout.

His best strikeout pitches?

• Curveball (gets the most swings and misses)
• High four-seam fastball
• Cutter inside to lefties

Bassitt doesn’t chase strikeouts every at-bat, but he knows when to go for them. He picks his spots—smart pitching over pure power.

Walk Rate and ERA

Control is one of Bassitt’s best qualities. His walk rate usually stays under 3.0 BB/9, showing he’s got a real handle on the strike zone.

That control helps him keep his career ERA under 4.00.

In his top seasons, Bassitt has posted ERAs in the low 3.00s, like the 3.15 mark in his All-Star 2021 campaign. Limiting free passes is a big part of why he’s so good at preventing runs.

His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) often sits below 1.20 when he’s at his best. The Blue Jays’ $63 million contract shows they trust him to keep up those strong numbers.

Analytics and Advanced Metrics

Modern analytics show just how crafty Bassitt is. His spin rates—especially on breaking balls—are above league average, giving him more movement even if his velocity isn’t elite.

Statcast data shows he’s great at hitting the edges of the strike zone. He ranks high in “shadow zone” pitch percentage.

Bassitt’s expected stats usually line up with his actual results:

• xERA (expected ERA) is close to his real ERA
• Hard-hit percentage is below average
• Barrel rate stays low

His pitch tunneling—making different pitches look the same until the last second—ranks well compared to other pitchers. That helps him avoid hard contact.

He also adapts his pitch mix depending on the opponent and game situation. With a reported net worth of $79 million, his analytical approach has definitely paid off.

Contracts, Salary, and Net Worth

Chris Bassitt has built up serious wealth during his MLB career. Smart contract negotiations and free agency moves have played a big part in his financial rise.

MLB Contracts and Negotiations

Bassitt’s contract history tells the story of his rise from rookie to established starter. After the White Sox drafted him in 2011, he started out earning the modest salaries typical for young players.

Once he landed in Oakland, Bassitt started to show his value. During his arbitration years with the A’s, his salary bumped up based on performance.

When the Mets traded for him, Bassitt agreed to a contract worth $8.65 million for the 2022 season. That deal included a $19 million option, setting him up nicely for future negotiations.

The big payday came with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. That three-year, $63 million contract was his largest guaranteed deal and secured him through 2025.

Free Agency and Qualifying Offer

Bassitt approached free agency with a pretty sharp plan. After his year with the Mets, he hit the market when teams were hungry for starting pitching.

The Mets could have extended a qualifying offer, which would’ve locked him into a one-year deal if he accepted. Instead, Bassitt tried his luck in free agency, drawing interest from several teams.

That gamble paid off when the Blue Jays offered him a big multi-year contract. The deal gave him both immediate cash and long-term security.

Free agency let Bassitt maximize his earnings at age 34, landing a major contract even in the later part of his career. His timing and approach showed he’s got business savvy to match his pitching skills.

Estimated Net Worth and Earnings

Chris Bassitt’s net worth sits at about $79,148,183, built up through his MLB contracts and some likely endorsements. Over the past few years, his earnings have really taken off.

Right now, the Blue Jays pay him $18 million a year, which puts him among their highest-paid pitchers. That’s a huge leap from what he made early in his career.

His contracts usually come with performance bonuses and incentives. He can boost his annual earnings based on things like innings pitched, making the All-Star team, or getting Cy Young votes.

Bassitt isn’t at the very top of MLB’s pay scale for pitchers, but he’s locked in financial security thanks to steady performance and smart contract decisions. His biggest paydays have come in his 30s, which says a lot about his staying power and effectiveness.

Injury History and Recovery

Chris Bassitt’s career hasn’t been a smooth ride—he’s dealt with some tough medical setbacks that really tested him. The way he’s handled injury and rehab shows just how much grit and determination it takes to stick in the big leagues.

Major Injuries and Setbacks

On August 20, 2015, Bassitt took a terrifying line drive to the face during a game against the Detroit Tigers. Rajai Davis hit the ball, and the impact left Bassitt with severe facial fractures. Surgeons had to insert plates and screws to fix the damage.

Even before that, Bassitt had arm problems. In early 2014, when he was with the White Sox, he battled forearm strains that limited his time and effectiveness on the mound.

These injuries hit during key points in his development. He had to rethink how he prepared and approached pitching.

Tommy John Surgery

In May 2016, Bassitt hit another major hurdle. He underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Rehab for this surgery usually takes 12-18 months—a long, grueling process for any pitcher.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. He was starting to establish himself with the Oakland Athletics, but the surgery wiped out the rest of his 2016 season and most of 2017.

During rehab, Bassitt put in the work to strengthen his arm and tweak his mechanics. That long recovery gave him a chance to rethink his pitching style and add some new pitches that would be easier on his elbow.

Comeback and Impact on Career

Bassitt’s comeback from Tommy John surgery really showed what he’s made of. He managed to return to the majors late in 2017, though he only pitched in one game that year.

2018 was the real test. He worked hard to regain his old form.

By 2019, he didn’t just return—he thrived. He put up his best numbers yet and became a dependable starter.

His comeback peaked in 2021 when he earned his first All-Star selection with the Athletics.

Those injuries changed how Bassitt takes care of himself. He now puts a lot more focus on preventative care and sticks to a strict routine to keep his arm healthy. He’s also changed up his pitch selection, favoring movement over pure speed.

After seeing how durable he’d become, the Toronto Blue Jays signed him to a hefty $63 million contract. That move basically confirmed his successful return from some pretty serious injuries.

Personal Life and Influences

There’s a lot more to Chris Bassitt than what you see on the mound. His personal life and values have played a big role in his baseball journey.

Family and Off-Field Life

Chris Bassitt was born on February 22, 1989, in Toledo, Ohio. He married Jessica Bolton in 2016, and they had their first child, a daughter named Landry, in 2020.

His family has helped keep him grounded through moves from Chicago to Oakland, then New York, and now Toronto.

Bassitt often credits his Midwestern upbringing for his work ethic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he didn’t shy away from talking about the challenges of juggling baseball and family, especially as a new dad.

He’s also an outdoorsy guy. In the off-season, you’ll probably find him hunting or fishing—activities that help him unwind from the pressures of pro ball.

Notable Teammates and Comparisons

Bassitt’s built strong relationships with some notable teammates. With the Mets, he teamed up with Carlos Carrasco in a sturdy rotation. After moving to the Blue Jays, he became teammates with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose hitting has certainly made Bassitt’s job a bit easier.

Analysts like to compare Bassitt’s career arc and pitching style to guys like Max Fried and Blake Snell. He’s also gotten recognition for his late-career jump into the top tier of starters.

Bassitt’s mentioned that he looks up to pitchers like Corbin Burnes and Jack Flaherty, especially for their thoughtful, analytical approach to pitching.

Community Involvement

Bassitt really comes across as a community-minded player throughout his time in MLB. He jumps into Blue Jays community initiatives pretty often, and he’s kept up that same energy from his earlier teams.

Back when he played for the Athletics, he got pretty involved in youth baseball programs around Oakland. He just genuinely wants to help develop young talent, and you can tell he goes beyond what the team expects.

During the 2020 pandemic, Bassitt and his wife stepped up and supported food insecurity efforts in his hometown and the cities where he’s played. He’s even talked about wanting to start a foundation for youth sports and education when his playing career winds down.

Bassitt hasn’t made it to a World Series yet, but he’s said that chasing a championship and leaving a positive mark on the community both matter a lot to him.