Cole Sulser – Tampa Bay Rays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Cole Sulser pitches relief for the Tampa Bay Rays and has carved out a solid career since making his MLB debut. At 35, the California native has overcome plenty of obstacles on his way to becoming a mainstay in the majors.

Cole Sulser earns a $900,000 salary with the Tampa Bay Rays and has built a net worth of about $2.3 million over his professional baseball career.

Sulser was born on March 12, 1990, in Santa Ysabel, California. His path to the majors took some turns.

The Cleveland Indians drafted him in the 25th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, and he fought his way through the minors before finally sticking in the big leagues. He’s played for several organizations, but now calls the Tampa Bay Rays home.

As a reliever, Sulser has shown a lot of resilience and flexibility. His ERA has bounced around, but teams keep finding value in his arm.

His current contract is a one-year deal for $900,000 with the Rays. That fits his role as a dependable middle reliever in today’s tough MLB environment.

Early Life and Background

Cole Young Sulser started his baseball journey in the rural mountains of Southern California. Those early years shaped his approach to the game.

He grew up on a cattle ranch, and his education and upbringing gave him a strong foundation as an athlete.

Family and Upbringing

Sulser spent his childhood in Santa Ysabel, California, surrounded by a family that loved baseball. Born on March 12, 1990, he was raised on a cattle ranch nestled in the Southern California mountains.

He played regular baseball games with his father, which sparked a lifelong passion for the sport. The Sulser family’s love for baseball gave Cole the support he needed to grow as an athlete.

That ranch life taught him discipline, hard work, and persistence—traits that still show up in his professional approach.

Education and College Baseball

Sulser attended Dartmouth College, balancing challenging academics with college baseball. He majored in Economics, showing off both his brains and his arm.

On the field, he stood out as a pitcher for the Dartmouth Big Green. Scouts started to take notice, and his academic success underlined his well-rounded character.

The Ivy League experience gave Sulser a taste of competitive baseball and a top-notch education. That mix prepared him for the demands of pro ball and gave him skills that go beyond the field.

Prospect Status and Draft

As college wrapped up, Sulser began catching the eye of MLB organizations. His prospect profile leaned on pitching smarts and mechanics—not overwhelming speed or size.

In 2013, the Cleveland Indians picked him in the 25th round of the MLB Draft. As the 741st pick, Sulser faced the usual challenges of a late-rounder: he had to prove himself at every step.

He didn’t have the hype of a first-rounder, but his academic background and steady mindset helped him handle the mental grind of pro ball. Getting to the big leagues took patience and grit.

Professional Baseball Career

Cole Sulser’s pro career has included several teams and a slow, steady rise through the minors before he finally stuck in the majors. He’s had to adapt and persevere, bouncing between teams and different bullpen roles.

Minor League Progression

Sulser kicked off his pro career after the Indians drafted him in 2013. He put up strong numbers at Class-A, showing he could be a reliable bullpen arm.

From 2013 to 2019, Sulser climbed through Cleveland’s farm system. Tommy John surgery slowed him down early on, but he bounced back. By 2018, he made it to Triple-A Columbus, where he kept his ERA under 3.00.

He struck out hitters at a high rate, often posting K/9 numbers above 10.0. That kind of performance drew interest from other teams looking for bullpen help.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Sulser made his big league debut on September 2, 2019, with the Tampa Bay Rays after a move from Cleveland. He finally reached the majors at age 29, which says a lot about his persistence.

The Baltimore Orioles claimed him off waivers before the 2020 season. That gave him his first real shot to stick in the majors.

During the 2020 pandemic season, Sulser found himself pitching in high-pressure spots and even closed games for the Orioles. Not exactly what most expected.

He put up great strikeout numbers early on, but sometimes struggled with command. His splitter became his calling card, fooling both righties and lefties.

Teams and Trades

Sulser’s career has taken him to several teams. After his time with Cleveland and a brief stop with Tampa Bay, Baltimore gave him his first consistent MLB role. He earned a salary of $825,000 during that run.

In April 2022, the Orioles traded Sulser and Tanner Scott to the Miami Marlins as part of their rebuild. Baltimore picked up prospects and draft picks, while Sulser landed in a more competitive bullpen.

After Miami, Sulser returned to the Tampa Bay Rays on a one-year, $900,000 contract. Each move forced him to adjust to new team cultures and bullpen roles.

Notable Games and Achievements

Sulser has delivered some clutch performances, especially with Baltimore. In August 2020, he struck out Bryce Harper to lock down a save against the Phillies—a pretty memorable moment.

With the Marlins in 2022, Sulser pitched a clean ninth against the Mets, striking out Francisco Lindor to finish the game. That outing showed he could handle big moments.

Some of his career highlights:

• Multi-inning saves (sometimes needing 6+ outs)
• A career-best 2.70 ERA in 2021
• Ranking among AL relievers in strikeout percentage during his best runs
• Building a reputation as someone who stays calm under pressure

He’s bounced between middle relief, setup, and even closer roles, showing a lot of versatility.

Contract Details and Salary

Cole Sulser’s MLB journey has included a handful of contracts, each shaping his financial outlook. His earnings have changed as he’s moved between teams and roles.

MLB Contract History

Sulser started out with modest deals, working his way up from the minor leagues. Once he debuted in MLB, he began earning major league minimum salaries.

His early contracts matched his “work-in-progress” status. As he gained experience, his paychecks grew.

He’s played for multiple clubs, including Tampa Bay, where he first broke in. It took years of grinding before he landed more secure MLB contracts.

Each new deal marked a step forward, with his pay reflecting his growing role as a bullpen option.

Recent Contracts and Transactions

In 2023, Sulser signed for $825,000. That was a small bump up from his previous deals.

For 2025, he’s reportedly earning $900,000 on a one-year contract. He and the team avoided arbitration, so both sides agreed on his value.

In November 2023, Sulser inked a minor-league contract with the New York Mets. That gave him a fresh start after his earlier stops.

His stints with Baltimore and the Miami Marlins came with different contract structures, and his value shifted depending on his performance and role.

Financial Growth Over the Years

Right now, Sulser’s net worth sits at about $2,293,984, based on his career earnings. That’s a steady climb from his early days.

His salary has followed the typical path for reliable middle relievers:

Salary Progression:

• 2022: $711,000
• 2023: $825,000
• 2025: $900,000

Those one-year contracts are pretty standard for guys in his spot. The structure lets teams stay flexible, and gives Sulser a shot to keep proving himself—and maybe earn a bit more each year.

Cole Sulser’s Net Worth and Earnings

Sulser’s baseball career has brought him a modest but solid level of wealth, with most of his earnings coming from MLB contracts.

Estimated Net Worth

Cole Sulser’s net worth is estimated at $2,293,984, according to recent reports. That’s the sum of his earnings from his time with various MLB teams.

Getting to this point took a while. Sulser spent years in the minor leagues before he finally broke into the majors and started earning bigger paychecks.

Compared to most Americans, that’s a big number. But for MLB veterans, Sulser’s net worth is on the lower end, since he’s mostly worked as a relief pitcher and not a star.

Major Financial Sources

Sulser’s main income comes from his baseball contracts. He currently brings in $900,000 a year with the Rays, which makes up most of his annual income.

His earnings have grown gradually. Before this contract, he made $825,000, which is a pretty typical jump for a player cementing his place in the league.

He doesn’t get the giant contracts that star players land, but his specialized bullpen role has kept him steadily employed.

MLB minimum salaries have gone up over the years, which helps guys like Sulser who work their way up without a ton of hype.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Sulser isn’t exactly a household name, so his endorsement deals are on the modest side. Relief pitchers usually don’t attract the big national sponsors that everyday starters or stars do.

He might have a few regional partnerships, maybe around Tampa Bay, but nothing major.

Players in Sulser’s position often supplement their income with:

• Local business tie-ins
• Baseball camps
• Autograph sessions
• Some merchandise sales

Those side gigs aren’t as lucrative as his MLB salary, but they help round out his financial picture and add a little variety to his income.

Performance Analysis and Playing Style

Cole Sulser has made a name for himself as a reliable bullpen arm, showing both strengths and some challenges over his major league career. His unique pitching style and stats have definitely added value to the teams he’s joined.

Pitching Style and Repertoire

Sulser works with a four-pitch mix: a four-seam fastball, changeup, slider, and sinker. His fastball usually sits between 92 and 94 mph, but honestly, it’s the changeup that really sets him apart.

That changeup, which he throws in the low 80s, creates a big enough speed gap to mess with hitters’ timing.

Sulser’s deceptive delivery and his knack for disguising pitches make him tough to read. He doesn’t blow hitters away, but he uses smart pitch sequencing and location to get weak contact.

Against right-handed batters, he leans on his slider more, while the changeup becomes his go-to against lefties. This kind of adaptability has helped him handle tough matchups throughout his career.

Statistical Highlights

Sulser stands out for his above-average strikeout rate—he’s hovered around 10 strikeouts per nine innings at times. During his best runs with the Orioles and Marlins, he showed he could get whiffs pretty consistently.

On the flip side, his walk rate sometimes creeps over 4 walks per nine innings. That lack of control has probably kept him from locking down those high-leverage bullpen roles.

He owns a career ERA of about 3.75, showing he’s been a solid middle reliever. Sulser has also managed to keep left-handed hitters to lower batting averages, which is no small thing.

Notable Teammates and Opponents

In the bullpen, Sulser has worked with some accomplished relievers who’ve influenced his approach. When he pitched for the Rays, he learned from their pitching development system and shared the clubhouse with arms like Tyler Glasnow and Nick Anderson.

His stint with the Orioles meant facing tough AL East opponents, including the Yankees’ power bats and the Red Sox lineup. Those matchups gave him experience against some of the league’s best offenses.

With the Marlins, Sulser worked with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., who helped him sharpen his approach. He’s pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays more than once, building connections with their analytics-driven coaching staff.

Personal Life and Off-Field Contributions

Off the mound, Cole Sulser balances family life, community work, and a range of personal interests that go beyond baseball.

Family, Marriage, and Children

Cole Sulser keeps his family life pretty private, especially compared to some other pro athletes. Born in Santa Ysabel, California, on March 12, 1990, he grew up with small-town roots, which seem to keep him grounded.

Family has always been important to Sulser. His brother Beau has played a big role in his life, and both of them have chased pro baseball careers—a rare thing for siblings.

Sulser doesn’t share much about his marriage or kids. That choice seems intentional, letting him keep a line between his public baseball persona and his personal world. It’s probably a smart way to keep some normalcy, considering the spotlight that comes with being a Major League Baseball pitcher.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

Sulser has shown a real commitment to community service during his baseball career. While playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, he joined in on team charity events, focusing on food security and helping youth in the Tampa Bay area.

His time at Dartmouth College, where he earned team MVP and Dartmouth Pitcher of the Year, shaped how he sees giving back. Dartmouth pushes community service right alongside academics and sports.

Sulser also cares about environmental sustainability. He’s supported projects that tackle climate change and protect biodiversity—a sign that more athletes are thinking about their impact on the planet.

He’s spent time at children’s hospitals and youth baseball clinics, using his platform to inspire young athletes and encourage them to value education as much as sports.

Interests and Publications

Outside of baseball, Sulser’s curiosity really shines—maybe that’s the Ivy League background talking. As a Dartmouth grad, he keeps up with academic interests that are pretty different from the grind of pro sports.

He likes diving into books on sustainability and renewable resources, and he often tosses out recommendations to teammates or fans. That passion ties right into his environmental advocacy, giving him something meaningful to focus on when he’s not on the field.

Sulser’s also big on the outdoors. He spends off-seasons hiking or fishing, just unwinding and soaking up nature. Those quiet moments help him recharge and stay connected to the causes he cares about.

While he hasn’t published any formal papers, Sulser brings thoughtful takes to interviews, especially on baseball analytics and player development. You can really hear his education and analytical side come through when he talks about the game. People respect his voice as baseball keeps changing.