Cody Bolton – Seattle Mariners Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Cody Bolton was born on June 19, 1998, in Richmond, Virginia. He’s been turning heads in professional baseball ever since the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in 2017.

This right-handed pitcher has worked his way up through the minor leagues and finally made it to the majors. His journey? It’s classic baseball—lots of persistence, plenty of growth.

Cody Bolton plays for the Seattle Mariners on a one-year contract worth $760,000. His estimated net worth sits around $300,000, which makes sense for a pre-arbitration player with less than 0.15 years of service time as of early 2025.

For pitchers like Bolton, these early contracts aren’t flashy, but they’re important stepping stones.

Bolton spent time with the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, before Pittsburgh called him up. Now, with Seattle, he’s got a fresh chapter to write as he tries to establish himself in the big leagues.

At 26, Bolton has time on his side—both for building value on the field and growing his financial future.

Early Life and Background

Cody Bolton’s baseball story starts in Richmond, Virginia, where he was born on June 19, 1998.

His early years shaped the foundation for what would become a professional baseball career.

Family and Childhood

Carl Donovan “Cody” Bolton came into the world in Richmond, Virginia, but he spent his formative years in California.

We don’t know much about his immediate family, at least not from public records. But what’s clear is that Bolton loved baseball from a young age.

He grew up in Tracy, California, and attended Tracy High School.

Northern California’s climate gave him year-round chances to play and develop his skills.

Those childhood years in Tracy didn’t just make him a better athlete—they also built up his work ethic and determination.

These traits have stuck with him as he’s moved up through tougher levels of competition.

Amateur Baseball Career

At Tracy High, Bolton quickly made a name for himself as a pitcher.

He built up an arsenal of pitches and showed he could handle pressure in big games.

College recruiters and pro scouts started to notice his performances.

Bolton’s velocity and control improved every year, and he showed the mental toughness you need to succeed as you climb the ranks.

During showcase events and tournaments, he kept working on his mechanics and building strength.

His senior-year ERA really stood out, showing he could dominate high school hitters and hinting at his potential as a pro.

Path to Professional Baseball

Bolton’s amateur success peaked at the 2017 MLB Draft.

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked him in the sixth round, 178th overall.

Bolton could’ve played college ball, but he decided to sign with the Pirates instead and jump straight into the pros.

That choice marked a huge turning point for him.

At just 18, he started climbing the Pirates’ minor league ladder.

The Pirates clearly saw something in him—his clean delivery, his growing pitch mix, and a physical frame that hinted at even more velocity as he matured.

Bolton’s journey from Tracy High to professional baseball really shows his commitment and willingness to face tough challenges early.

Professional Career Overview

Cody Bolton’s pro career has had its ups and downs—steady development, some injury setbacks, and a few team changes.

He’s shown resilience and flashes of real potential as a pitching talent.

MLB Debut and Initial Seasons

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Bolton in 2017, and he started his pro journey in their minor league system.

He showed off good control and a solid pitch mix as he climbed the ranks.

Injuries got in the way, especially when he missed all of 2021. That was a tough break and slowed his progress.

Bolton finally made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2023.

His first outings gave fans a glimpse of his upside, though, like most rookies, he needed time to adjust to big-league hitters.

During his rookie year, he mostly pitched out of the bullpen.

His mid-90s fastball and improving secondary pitches helped him contribute to the Pirates’ pitching staff.

Key Performances and Role in the Rotation

Bolton’s shown he can handle different roles on the mound.

He started games in the minors, but in the majors, teams have mostly used him in relief.

His pitch mix seems to work well in shorter stints.

When Bolton commands his fastball and mixes in his breaking stuff, he’s at his best.

He’s especially good at getting ground balls in big spots.

Standing 6’2″ and weighing 210 pounds, Bolton has the build to handle a major league workload.

He hasn’t locked down a rotation spot yet, but he’s trending toward a future as either a back-end starter or a multi-inning reliever.

Trades and Team Transfers

Bolton’s career took a turn when he moved from the Pirates to the Cleveland Guardians.

This change gave him a fresh shot with a team that’s known for developing pitchers.

Most recently, Bolton landed with the Seattle Mariners, signing a one-year, $760,000 deal for 2025.

Seattle’s pitcher-friendly park could be just what he needs to take another step forward.

Switching organizations has let Bolton learn from different coaches and pitching philosophies.

These moves show both the business side of baseball and the continued belief in Bolton’s potential, even after some early bumps.

Playing Style and On-Field Impact

Cody Bolton stands out on the mound for the Mariners.

He brings technical precision and a bit of fierce competitiveness every time he pitches.

His approach blends old-school fundamentals with some newer pitching tricks.

Pitching Techniques and Strengths

Bolton’s fastball sits in the mid-90s with good movement.

He uses his four-seamer as his main pitch, setting up hitters before mixing in his secondary stuff.

His slider has become a real weapon—it’s got sharp late break and gets plenty of swings and misses.

That’s helped him rack up strikeouts when he’s locked in.

Bolton usually commands both sides of the plate pretty well.

He keeps his walk rate in check, showing control even when the pressure’s on.

One thing that stands out is how he keeps his cool with runners on base.

He seems to find another gear in tight spots, and his mechanics stay smooth from the stretch, which helps him limit damage.

Hitting and Offensive Contributions

Because he pitches in the American League, Bolton doesn’t hit much—the designated hitter rule takes care of that.

When he does get a chance at the plate, his approach is simple: try to make contact, don’t try to do too much.

He’s got decent hand-eye coordination in batting practice, but let’s be real, hitting isn’t what he’s paid for.

During interleague games in NL parks, Bolton has shown he can lay down a sacrifice bunt when needed.

It’s a small thing, but it helps the team in the right spot.

Defensive Skills

Bolton brings above-average fielding skills for a pitcher.

His athleticism gives him quick reflexes, so he handles bunts and comebackers pretty well.

He finishes his delivery balanced, which puts him in position to field balls hit back to the mound.

His footwork to first base looks smooth and practiced.

Bolton’s throwing arm is quick and accurate, which fits what you’d expect from a pro pitcher.

He’s solid with pickoff moves and helps control the running game.

He communicates well with his infielders, especially on bunts where everyone needs to be on the same page.

All in all, his defense adds value beyond just his pitching.

Contracts, Earnings, and Net Worth

Cody Bolton’s financial path in baseball shows steady progress—from minor league paychecks to his current MLB salary.

His money comes from his baseball contracts, signing bonuses, and maybe some endorsements as he makes a name for himself.

Contract History and Negotiations

Bolton’s first pro contract came after the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the 6th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

He got a signing bonus that was pretty standard for a mid-round pick, kicking off his pro earnings.

After working his way up through the minors, Bolton made it to the majors.

His first big-league contract didn’t pay much—typical for players just starting out in MLB.

Right now, Bolton is under a 1-year, $760,000 contract with the Mariners, all guaranteed.

That’s about what you’d expect for someone at this stage of his career.

When he moved from Pittsburgh to Seattle, and then to the Cleveland Guardians, it highlighted how transactional baseball can be for young players.

Arbitration and Salary Progression

Bolton hasn’t hit MLB arbitration yet.

Arbitration usually kicks in after three years of service time, so he’s still on the league minimum salary.

Once he’s eligible, his salary could jump if he puts up good numbers.

The arbitration system lets players argue for higher pay based on stats and how they stack up against similar pitchers.

For Bolton, things like ERA, WHIP, innings, and strikeouts will matter a lot.

If he becomes a reliable arm for the Guardians, his salary could rise quickly through arbitration, and even more if he gets to free agency.

Net Worth Breakdown

Right now, Bolton’s net worth is about $300,000.

That’s mostly from his baseball earnings since 2017—minor league pay, his signing bonus, and his major league salary so far.

At 26, he’s still early in his career and hasn’t had time to rack up the kind of wealth you see with MLB veterans.

Most players see bigger paydays in their late 20s or early 30s, once they hit arbitration and free agency.

Bolton probably has some basic investments and maybe even some real estate, but there aren’t many public details about his finances.

A lot of young MLB players work with advisors to help manage their money early on.

His net worth isn’t close to what established stars have, and that’s normal for someone still working to prove himself in the majors.

If he lands a big contract or extension down the road, though, that number could jump in a hurry.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Bolton’s endorsement portfolio is still pretty limited at this point in his career. Most MLB players who aren’t superstars usually start out with smaller sponsorships—think equipment deals for gloves, cleats, or whatever gear they need.

He might see some local endorsements pop up in Cleveland once he settles in with the Guardians. Regional businesses like to team up with players who really connect with the fans, and it’s usually a win-win when that happens.

Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 210 pounds, Bolton definitely has the kind of presence that could catch a sponsor’s eye—if he grabs a bigger role, anyway. Pitchers who show off a unique style or a bit of personality tend to attract brands looking for something different.

These days, social media can play a huge role in landing endorsements. Bolton keeps things pretty low-key online compared to the league’s big names, but if he ever decides to put himself out there more, he could open up new revenue streams outside of his baseball salary.

Notable Events and Off-Field Matters

Cody Bolton’s professional journey hasn’t just been about pitching stats. He’s had some key moments off the mound, from team moves to personal and legal matters that have shaped where he’s headed.

Roster Movements and Trials

Bolton’s career path has included some notable roster changes as he’s worked his way up. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him back in 2017 (6th round, 178th overall pick), and his development has had its share of pivotal points.

In early 2023, Bolton competed for a bullpen spot during spring training—a big test for him. Even with some solid outings, Pittsburgh designated him for assignment, and another organization picked him up soon after.

The right-hander hit another turning point in late 2024, when the Seattle Mariners signed him to a one-year contract worth $760,000. That move felt like a significant step forward.

Bolton has bounced between the active roster and minor league assignments. That’s just the reality for a developing pitcher still searching for a permanent spot in the majors.

Legal Affairs and Representation

Bolton works with a sports agency that handles his contract negotiations and other business matters. His reps played a key role in landing his current deal with the Mariners.

Throughout his career, Bolton has kept a clean legal record and avoided off-field drama. Teams notice that kind of professionalism—it matters almost as much as what he does on the mound.

His legal team also manages his intellectual property rights, which includes sorting out endorsement deals that add to his estimated $300,000 net worth.

As an MLB player, Bolton gets legal protections under the collective bargaining agreement. That covers minimum salary requirements, arbitration rights, and service time accrual.

High-Profile Cases and Disputes

Bolton has mostly steered clear of big disputes in his career. He keeps a pretty low profile compared to some other Major League Baseball players.

At one point, Pittsburgh designated Bolton for assignment. That move threw his playing future into a bit of uncertainty, and he had to wait in limbo until another organization claimed him.

When he negotiated his contract with Seattle, things could’ve gotten tense. Both sides managed to agree without any public drama, though. The $760,000 deal seemed about right for someone with his experience.

Bolton hasn’t gotten tangled up in high-profile salary fights or arbitration cases with his teams, unlike a few other players out there.