Eric Cerantola – Kansas City Royals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Eric Cerantola is a promising young pitcher in the Kansas City Royals organization. Born on May 2, 2000, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, this right-hander has been working his way up through the minor leagues since draft day.

At just 25, Cerantola hit a big milestone when the Royals called him up from the Omaha Storm Chasers, adding him to their major league roster.

Standing 6’5″ (191 cm), Cerantola definitely looks the part on the mound, and that height gives him some real power behind his pitches. His path in baseball has been anything but ordinary—he went from being a 30th-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, to playing college ball at Mississippi State University, and then finally signing with the Royals in 2021.

You won’t find a ton of public info about Cerantola’s MLB contract or net worth, but he signed a one-year deal with Kansas City as he starts his big-league journey. His jump from college prospect to the MLB looks pretty promising so far.

Early Life and Background

Eric Cerantola started his baseball journey in Montreal, Quebec, where he honed his athletic skills as a kid.

His Canadian upbringing gave him a taste of several sports before he decided to focus on baseball.

Family and Upbringing

Born May 2, 2000, in Montreal, Quebec, Eric grew up with his parents, Lucy and Franco Cerantola, and his younger sister Maya.

He enjoyed a supportive home life, and his family always encouraged him to pursue sports.

Like most kids in Quebec, Cerantola played hockey and baseball—hockey is pretty much a rite of passage there.

His parents noticed his knack for both games and made sure he had every opportunity to chase his potential.

Education and Athletic Beginnings

Cerantola attended Mississippi State University, majoring in management while pitching for the Bulldogs.

Before college, he excelled in both hockey and baseball, and honestly, his hockey skills outpaced his baseball at first.

People called him a “super-projectable arm” in high school, but he actually looked like a better hockey player back then. That’s pretty rare for pro baseball pitchers.

He even got drafted in the eighth round of a hockey draft, which just shows how good he was on the ice.

Still, baseball kept calling, and eventually he made the switch, focusing on the diamond late in high school.

That decision sent him to Mississippi State and, eventually, the pros.

Professional Baseball Career

Eric Cerantola jumped into pro baseball after his college days at Mississippi State. The Royals picked him up in 2021, and he’s been working his way through their system ever since.

Draft and Entry into Professional Baseball

The Kansas City Royals drafted Cerantola in the 5th round (139th overall). At 6’5″ and 200 pounds, he brought a lot of upside and a frame scouts love.

It’s kind of wild—he was actually a more polished hockey player than a baseball player when he got drafted. That athletic versatility set him apart.

After signing his contract, Cerantola started working his way up in the Royals’ developmental system.

He spent a lot of time refining his pitching mechanics and building consistency with his pitches.

The jump from college to the pros forced him to tweak his training and nutrition just to keep up with the longer season.

Notable Teams and Career Timeline

Cerantola’s journey through the Royals’ minor league system went something like this:

Minor League Progression:

• Rookie League (2021-2022)
• Single-A (2022)
• Double-A (2023-2024)
• Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (2024-Present)

He really broke through in 2024, earning a promotion to Triple-A after some great showings in Double-A.

That move put him right on the doorstep of the big leagues.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Cerantola’s numbers have gotten better every year. In 2024, he posted a 2.78 ERA in Double-A and struck out 31.3% of batters.

He kept up those strikeout numbers after moving to Triple-A.

Some highlights:

• Strikeout Rate: Over 30% across the board
• ERA: Dropping each year
• Innings Pitched: Taking on a bigger workload, showing he can handle it

His pitch mix has grown a lot since turning pro. The fastball is livelier, and his breaking ball command is much sharper.

Analysts say his jump in performance comes from better pitching mechanics and the Royals’ focus on player development.

Eric Cerantola’s Contracts and Earnings

Eric Cerantola’s pro career has included some important financial moments since he joined the Royals. His contract and salary progression track with his growth as a pitcher.

Contract History

Eric Cerantola signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals to kick off his pro career.

He didn’t get a signing bonus, which is a bit unusual for young prospects, but it does happen in baseball.

The Royals showed their faith in him by officially selecting his contract from the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2024, bumping him up to the big league roster.

His contract is pretty standard for a rookie, with team control and other basics you’d expect from the MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Progression

At 25, born on May 2, 2000, Cerantola is making close to the MLB minimum on his first contract.

His salary path looks like most young players:

Rookie Contract Phase:

• League minimum (about $720,000 in 2024)
• Not much room for negotiation yet
• Performance bonuses might be in there, but nothing public

When the Royals promoted him from Omaha, he went from minor league pay to the MLB minimum. That’s a pretty big jump.

If he sticks in the majors, his earnings will go up, especially once he gets closer to arbitration in a few years.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Eric Cerantola’s financial picture really reflects where he is in his career. You can get a sense of his situation by looking at his contract and the way young players typically handle their money.

Annual Earnings and Endorsements

Cerantola’s main income comes from his baseball contract.

After being drafted by the Royals in 2021, he signed a standard minor league deal.

Minor leaguers usually make between $4,800 and $14,000 per season, depending on their level.

As a prospect working his way up, Cerantola doesn’t have any big endorsement deals yet.

At this stage, he might get some equipment deals, but not much else.

His one-year deal with the Royals probably includes some performance bonuses, especially if he moves up quickly.

Investments and Assets

Cerantola is just starting to build his investment portfolio, which is normal for a young player.

Most MLB prospects start out with pretty conservative investments.

He probably has:

• Some low-risk investments (like bonds or mutual funds)
• Maybe a little real estate in Montreal
• Retirement accounts and MLB pension contributions

At 25, he’s got plenty of time to work with financial planners and set himself up for long-term security.

Cars and Lifestyle

Cerantola lives pretty modestly, which you’d expect from a minor leaguer still working his way up.

He probably drives a practical car, not anything flashy.

Most guys at his level share apartments with teammates to keep costs down during the season.

He splits his time between team facilities, wherever the Royals send him, and Montreal during the off-season.

His social media is mostly baseball and training, not the high-rolling lifestyle you sometimes see from MLB stars.

Personal Life and Off-Field Interests

Away from the field, Eric Cerantola keeps things well-rounded and puts a lot of value on his health and interests outside baseball.

Hobbies and Philanthropy

Cerantola’s athletic background isn’t limited to baseball—he was drafted in the eighth round of the 2016 Ontario Hockey League Draft by the Owen Sound Attack.

That hockey experience just reinforces his Canadian roots.

He spends time running youth baseball clinics in Montreal during the off-season, using his bilingual skills to connect with young athletes.

Cerantola also stays close to his Italian heritage by cooking family recipes, and he sometimes shares those kitchen moments on social media. Fans seem to enjoy seeing that side of him.

Health and Wellness Initiatives

Cerantola sticks to a disciplined fitness routine, mixing old-school strength training with some newer recovery techniques.

He keeps a close eye on his supplement intake—using creatine for muscle recovery, and adding nitric oxide boosters to help his blood flow better during those tough workouts.

Mental wellness? That’s a big deal for Cerantola. He talks pretty openly about how much psychological health matters for athletes.

Every day, he makes time for meditation. He’s also teamed up with mental health advocacy groups, hoping to break down some of the stigma around mental disorders in pro sports.

Back in his Mississippi State days, Cerantola started caring about environmental issues.

He’s joined climate change awareness campaigns and even put money into renewable energy projects in the places he’s played ball.