Ethan Roberts – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Ethan Roberts was born on July 4, 1997, in Sparta, Tennessee. He’s been steadily making a name for himself in Major League Baseball with the Chicago Cubs.

The right-handed relief pitcher landed with the Cubs in the 4th round of the 2018 MLB Draft after pitching for Tennessee Tech. Roberts is currently playing under a one-year, $760,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs for the 2024 season, all of it guaranteed.

His journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing—he spent some time grinding in the minor leagues. In December 2023, Roberts signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs, and eventually secured his current deal. His estimated net worth sits around $963,890, which reflects what he’s earned so far in his young baseball career.

At 27, Roberts keeps working on his skills on the mound and building his financial base in pro baseball. He’s following the typical path of a mid-round draft pick, fighting for long-term stability in the majors. His current salary is a step up from his previous reported earnings of $721,000.

Early Life and Background

Ethan Michael Roberts came into the world on July 4, 1997, in Sparta, Tennessee. Growing up in a small town shaped his dedication to baseball early on and set the stage for his future career.

Family and Upbringing

Roberts grew up in Sparta, Tennessee, surrounded by a supportive family that encouraged his athletic pursuits. Details about his parents are private, but you can tell they played a key role in his growth as an athlete.

Living in Sparta, a town of just over 5,000 people, gave Roberts a tight-knit community that really celebrated local sports. Now at 27 years old, he often credits his hometown values for his work ethic and determination.

It’s a little funny—his birthday is July 4th, so he literally shares a birthday with America’s pastime.

Education

Roberts went to White County High School in Sparta, where he first showed off his pitching talents. After high school, he kept developing his baseball skills in college.

Instead of heading to the University of Virginia, Roberts decided to stay closer to home. He enrolled at Tennessee Tech University, where he became a standout pitcher for the Golden Eagles.

At Tennessee Tech, he majored in sports management and balanced academics with the demands of NCAA Division I baseball. That discipline in the classroom definitely helped him adjust to the pro environment later on.

Early Interest in Sports

Baseball grabbed Roberts’ attention when he was young, and he quickly showed real promise as a pitcher. At 5’10”, he didn’t fit the usual MLB pitcher mold, but his technical skills and determination helped him overcome that.

Roberts spent his youth working on a distinctive pitching style. He focused a lot on his breaking pitches, which eventually became his go-to weapons.

In high school, Roberts played multiple sports, but as his potential in baseball became obvious, he dialed in on the mound. His performances at White County High caught the eye of college recruiters, which set him on the path to Tennessee Tech and, later, the Chicago Cubs in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Professional Baseball Career

Ethan Roberts has carved out a gritty path in pro baseball, climbing from draft pick to the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs. He’s faced plenty of hurdles and notched some solid achievements along the way.

Draft and Minor League Journey

The Chicago Cubs picked Roberts in the 4th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Tennessee Tech. That pick showed the Cubs had real confidence in his potential as a reliever with a funky delivery and a sharp breaking ball.

Roberts started his pro career in the Cubs’ farm system and worked his way up. He began at the Rookie level, then moved to Single-A, High-A, Double-A, and finally Triple-A.

As he moved through the minors, Roberts kept refining his pitching arsenal. He relied on a cutter as his main pitch and paired it with a curveball that got plenty of swings and misses. His minor league stats showed steady improvement, especially in strikeout rates and limiting walks.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 interrupted his development, but Roberts bounced back in 2021 and looked even stronger.

MLB Debut

Roberts finally made the Cubs’ Opening Day roster in 2022 and debuted on April 9, 2022, against the Milwaukee Brewers. That was a huge moment for him.

After all those years grinding in the minors, Roberts’ reaction to making the Opening Day roster actually went viral—a pretty raw and genuine moment for any baseball fan to watch.

His first MLB season had its ups and downs, as you’d expect for a rookie. Roberts showed he could get big-league hitters out with his deceptive delivery and breaking stuff.

He did run into injury trouble, though, which cut his rookie season short and kept him from settling in completely.

Key Achievements

Roberts is still building his major league résumé, but he’s already got some highlights. Making the Cubs’ Opening Day roster as a rookie in 2022 stands out, especially since he beat out more experienced relievers for that bullpen spot.

In his MLB outings, Roberts has put up a 4.72 ERA across 34.1 innings, with 26 strikeouts in 30 games—all in relief over two seasons. He’s picked up two holds and has a 1-2 record so far, according to MLB statistics.

He’s handled high-leverage situations well when called upon. Roberts’ unique arm angle and pitch movement have made him tough on both righties and lefties—at least when he’s healthy.

Getting through injuries has shown he’s got some real mental toughness, which is a must-have for a reliever.

Offseason Training and Development

Roberts spends his offseasons focused on strength and conditioning, aiming to boost his durability and velocity. After injuries, recovery has become a big part of his routine.

He works closely with the Cubs’ player development staff, fine-tuning his mechanics to reduce arm stress while keeping his deceptive delivery. Roberts also tries to expand his pitch mix and sharpen his command.

He’s taken part in the Cubs’ winter development programs in recent years. These programs let him work on specific areas under professional guidance.

His contract status shows the Cubs still believe in him. The one-year, $760,000 deal signals their investment, even after injury challenges limited his chances.

Contract Details and Earnings

Ethan Roberts’ career comes with a set of contract terms and financial details that reflect his value to MLB teams. His earnings include base salary and possible incentives.

Current Team Contract

Roberts is currently signed with the Chicago Cubs on a one-year, $760,000 contract for the 2024 season. That’s pretty standard for a young reliever still working to establish himself.

The Cubs re-signed him as a free agent on December 5, 2023, first to a minor-league deal, then bumped him up to a major league contract. The contract is fully guaranteed, so he gets paid no matter what.

This deal makes Roberts an affordable bullpen option for the Cubs as they figure out his long-term role.

Salary Progression

Roberts’ earnings have grown modestly since he turned pro. His 2023 salary was $721,000, so he’s getting about $39,000 more in 2024.

That’s in line with what you’d expect for early-career relievers who haven’t hit arbitration yet. His current salary is a big jump from minor league pay, though it’s still on the lower end for MLB.

Whether his earnings keep climbing will depend a lot on his performance and staying healthy, especially after those injury setbacks.

Bonuses and Endorsements

The details of Roberts’ bonus structure aren’t public, but his contract likely includes the usual performance incentives for relievers. That could mean bonuses for appearances, ERA, or pitching in tight spots.

Roberts’ net worth is estimated at $963,890, which suggests he’s not making a ton from endorsements—at least not yet.

If he nails down a bigger role in the Cubs’ bullpen, his earning potential could grow. Reliable relievers with specialized skills often see big salary jumps through arbitration and new contracts.

Net Worth and Financial Ventures

Ethan Roberts has built a modest financial portfolio since joining the pros, with most of his money coming from his MLB contract. He’s started to branch out into investments and a few business ventures, too.

Sources of Income

Roberts earns a salary of $721,000 per year with the Cubs, according to SalarySport. That’s his main source of income as a pro athlete.

Recently, he signed a 1-year contract worth $760,000 with the Cubs, all guaranteed. That’s a bump from what he made before.

Roberts also brings in extra money through:

• Performance bonuses tied to his pitching stats
• Endorsements with sports equipment companies
• Baseball camp and clinic appearances
• Merch sales from team-related items

His baseball pay forms the base of his current net worth, about $963,890.

Investments and Real Estate

Roberts takes a pretty cautious approach with his investments, aiming for long-term growth. He spreads his investments across a few different areas.

Real Estate Holdings:

• He owns a primary home in Tennessee, close to where he grew up.
• He has a smaller place in Chicago for the baseball season.
• He’s dipped his toes into residential rental properties in some growing markets.

Financial Investments:

• He invests in mutual funds for steady growth.
• He’s got some money in technology stocks.
• He puts money into retirement accounts with a conservative mix.

Roberts works with a financial advisory team that specializes in helping pro athletes manage their money. They help him balance current spending with saving for the future.

Involvement in Venture Capital

Roberts isn’t as active in venture capital as some big-name athletes, but he’s interested in sports and tech startups. He’s made connections in the Rocky Mountain venture capital scene, especially where he trains in the offseason.

He’s looked into opportunities like:

• Sports tech companies making new training gear
• Recovery and wellness apps for athletes
• Fan engagement platforms that connect players and supporters

Instead of making big, splashy investments, Roberts prefers smaller, strategic bets on companies that fit his interests and experience.

He’s using venture capital as a way to learn the business side of sports and maybe set up some post-career options.

Charitable Contributions

Roberts keeps his charitable work pretty low-key, but it’s meaningful to him and ties back to his own baseball journey.

He focuses on:

• Youth baseball programs in underserved areas
• Scholarships for student-athletes
• Support for families facing medical challenges

He joins in the Cubs’ community outreach and shows up at charity events for Chicago-area children’s hospitals.

Right now, he hasn’t started his own foundation. Instead, he partners with existing organizations to make a difference while still focusing on his baseball career.

Personal Life and Public Image

Off the mound, Ethan Roberts keeps his personal life mostly private. He’s still shaping his public image as a Major League pitcher with the Chicago Cubs.

Family and Relationships

Ethan Michael Roberts was born on July 4, 1997, in Sparta, Tennessee.

He doesn’t really talk much about his immediate family, but you can tell his Tennessee roots still mean a lot to him.

His connection to Tennessee stuck with him through college. He played baseball at Tennessee Tech, and then the Chicago Cubs picked him up in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Roberts keeps most details about his relationships and marriage status out of the spotlight. He prefers to let people focus on his career instead of his personal life.

Social Media Presence

Roberts doesn’t have a huge social media presence, especially compared to other pro athletes.

Most of what he shares online is baseball-related, with the occasional peek into his training routines.

Fans usually keep up with his career through the Chicago Cubs’ official social channels, not so much through his own personal accounts.

He doesn’t really use Instagram or Twitter for brand deals or self-promotion like some players do. He seems more interested in what happens on the field.

His social media activity picks up when he’s playing and drops off when he’s rehabbing, like during his Tommy John surgery recovery.

Recognition and Media Coverage

Most of the media chatter around Roberts zeroes in on his professional milestones. Reporters covered his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs, and baseball publications have taken a look at his pitching style as he’s grown into a relief pitcher.

Every now and then, local Tennessee media will spotlight Roberts as a hometown success story. They especially like to mention his path from Tennessee Tech to the major leagues.

When Roberts agreed to his latest contract—a one-year, $760,000 deal with the Cubs—financial outlets like Bloomberg and Yahoo Finance mentioned it. Still, his media profile stays pretty modest, especially compared to the sport’s bigger names.

You might spot his net worth, which sits at about $963,890, in the occasional baseball financial analysis. But honestly, it doesn’t seem to grab much attention.