Garrett Cleavinger – Tampa Bay Rays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Garrett Cleavinger has carved out a solid role as a reliever for the Tampa Bay Rays since his MLB debut in 2020.

He’s a lefty from Lawrence, Kansas, and Baltimore picked him in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft after he pitched at Oregon.

Cleavinger’s current contract with the Tampa Bay Rays is worth $1.2 million for the 2025 season. He signed it to avoid arbitration, and his estimated net worth sits around $1.96 million.

He’s bounced around a bit, with stints in the Phillies and Dodgers organizations before landing with the Rays.

Born April 23, 1994, Cleavinger has steadily bumped up his salary from $725,100 to that seven-figure deal.

At 31, he’s proven to be a dependable bullpen arm, which earned him that salary bump to $1.2 million this season.

Early Life and Background

Garrett Cleavinger’s path to the majors started in the Midwest, shaped by a Kansas upbringing and the kind of experiences that push a kid toward pro baseball.

Family and Childhood

He was born on April 23, 1994, in Lawrence, Kansas.

He grew up in a supportive home that gave him the stability to chase his baseball goals, though details about his family are pretty private.

Unlike guys from baseball hotbeds like California, Cleavinger had to develop his game in the Midwest.

Those Kansas winters probably forced him to adapt, maybe hitting the gym or indoor cages when the weather got rough.

That kind of resilience sticks with you.

Local youth leagues in Lawrence gave him his first real taste of organized baseball.

He probably spent hours at community fields, like Stealey Playground or its local equivalent, learning the basics.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Cleavinger went to high school in Lawrence and quickly stood out as a lefty pitcher.

He eventually landed at the University of Oregon—not USC, as some people seem to think.

At Oregon, he really came into his own as a pitcher.

His stats with the Ducks, especially his ERA and strikeout numbers against Pac-12 hitters, started to catch the eyes of pro scouts.

That tough college competition helped prepare him for what was coming next.

After his strong run at Oregon, Baltimore grabbed him in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft, 102nd overall.

Influences and Inspiration

Growing up in Kansas, Cleavinger probably looked up to other Midwest pitchers who reached the majors.

That work ethic and patience you hear about from athletes in the region? It’s real.

Coaches at every level—youth, high school, college—played a big part in shaping him.

As a southpaw, he might’ve studied MLB lefties to develop his own style.

Pitching is as much mental as it is physical, and Cleavinger built up his focus and resilience through all those competitive battles.

He left Kansas for Oregon, then jumped into pro ball, always chasing the next challenge.

His journey really does feel like the classic baseball dream: a small-town kid grinding his way up to the big leagues.

Professional Baseball Career

Garrett Cleavinger has worked his way through different levels of pro baseball since the draft, carving out a spot as a lefty reliever with a few major league teams.

His path shows what bullpen specialists often go through to stay on a roster in such a competitive sport.

Minor League Development

The Baltimore Orioles picked him in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Oregon.

He started out in the minors, working on his pitching mechanics and tightening up his fastball-curveball mix.

Cleavinger moved up through Single-A and Double-A, racking up strikeouts but also working to improve his command.

He really started to stand out at Double-A Bowie, where he flashed the potential to become a big-league reliever.

Like a lot of young pitchers, he had to learn how to handle pro hitters and keep things consistent.

Pitching coaches helped him harness his natural lefty delivery, which creates tough angles for hitters.

Major League Debut and Teams

After Baltimore traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleavinger kept working his way up.

He made his MLB debut on September 17, 2020.

That first appearance was short but meant a lot after years of grinding in the minors.

The Phillies later dealt him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he pitched in 22 games during the 2021 season.

His time in LA gave him a taste of a championship-caliber bullpen and the pressure that comes with it.

In 2022, he moved to the Tampa Bay Rays and found a more defined role in their bullpen.

The Rays, always known for developing pitchers, have used Cleavinger’s lefty stuff as a weapon against tough AL East hitters.

Notable Trades and Transactions

A few big trades have shaped Cleavinger’s career.

Baltimore first sent him to Philadelphia in 2017 as part of a deal for Jeremy Hellickson, which showed that teams saw real promise in him.

In December 2020, the Phillies traded him to the Dodgers in a three-team deal that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays.

That move put him on a contender and gave him new chances to develop.

The Dodgers later traded Cleavinger to Tampa Bay in August 2022 for a minor leaguer.

He then signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract—a big jump from his previous $725,100 salary.

These moves show how much teams value a lefty reliever, even if his big-league time is still relatively short.

Performance Highlights and Achievements

Garrett Cleavinger has made his mark as a left-handed reliever with some standout performances and a pitching style that keeps hitters guessing.

He’s come through in big moments and kept developing with every team he’s joined.

Key Games and Milestones

Cleavinger debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020.

It was a quick outing, but it kicked off his major league career after a long climb through the minors.

With the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 and 2022, he had some clutch appearances.

He picked up his first big-league win there and showed he could be a reliable bullpen option.

Since joining the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleavinger has become a bigger part of the bullpen, especially in those tough AL East games.

He’s got a knack for getting lefties out in high-leverage spots, which managers love.

Pitching Style and Skills

Cleavinger throws a fastball that usually sits in the mid-90s, and he pairs it with a sharp breaking ball that gets swings and misses.

His delivery is a bit deceptive, which makes it harder for hitters to pick up the ball.

He’s really carved out a niche as a lefty specialist, especially against fellow left-handed hitters.

That’s made him a go-to guy in late innings when the matchups matter most.

He’s spent a lot of time working on his control and command, and you can see the progress.

When he’s locked in, Cleavinger mixes strikeouts with better command, so he can handle different relief roles.

Impact on Teams

With the Rays, Cleavinger has given their bullpen some real stability.

He’s handled high-leverage situations and helped keep games close.

His lefty specialty fills a key spot in today’s bullpens, where managers love to play the matchups.

They count on him to neutralize big left-handed bats in the other lineup.

His career path shows how persistence pays off.

After bouncing through three organizations, he’s found a steady role in Tampa Bay’s bullpen system.

He hasn’t made an All-Star team yet, but if he keeps improving, who knows?

Tampa’s pitcher-friendly environment could help him get there.

Contract Details and Earnings

Garrett Cleavinger’s MLB career has brought steady financial growth as he’s locked down a spot with the Rays.

His contract details follow the usual pattern for relievers who keep proving themselves.

Recent Contracts and Extensions

Right now, Cleavinger is on a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Rays for the 2025 season.

That’s a nice jump from his last deal and shows the Rays trust him on the mound.

Before this, he made $725,100 in 2023 with Tampa Bay.

He’s shown enough value to earn that raise after coming over in a trade.

The Rays are known for being smart with pitcher contracts, and Cleavinger’s salary fits their approach of building bullpen depth without breaking the bank.

Salary History

Cleavinger’s pay has gone up steadily since he turned pro.

He made about $710,000 in 2022, then $725,100 in 2023, and now he’s at $1.2 million for 2025.

That’s pretty typical for a player gaining more MLB experience.

Before reaching this level, he spent time with both the Dodgers and Phillies.

He’s still under team control and hasn’t hit arbitration yet.

That means the Rays get cost certainty, and Cleavinger gets some financial stability as he continues to prove himself.

If he keeps performing, he’ll probably see bigger raises when he finally becomes arbitration-eligible.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Garrett Cleavinger has built up a decent net worth thanks to his MLB career with the Rays and previous teams.

His earnings reflect both his on-field performance and the usual salary ladder for big league relievers.

Income from MLB Career

Most of Cleavinger’s income comes from his MLB contracts.

As of 2025, he’s making $1,200,000 per year with the Rays.

That’s a solid jump from his previous $725,100 salary.

He’s seen steady financial growth since his MLB debut, with contracts from multiple teams, including the Dodgers in California and the Phillies in Pennsylvania.

His total estimated net worth is around $1,964,202, though that number will probably keep climbing as long as he stays active.

Endorsements and Other Earnings

Unlike some of the big-name MLB stars, Cleavinger keeps his endorsement portfolio pretty modest. As a relief pitcher who rarely finds himself in the spotlight, he just doesn’t see the same marketing opportunities as position players or starters.

He takes a pretty focused approach to extra income, picking and choosing his partnerships with baseball equipment companies and a handful of local Tampa Bay businesses. These deals bring in some extra cash on top of his Rays salary.

Most pro baseball players in his shoes pull in about 5-15% of their total income from endorsements and appearances. No one’s made Cleavinger’s exact numbers public, though.

Lifestyle and Investments

Cleavinger lives a relatively modest life, especially compared to some other athletes. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and went to college at Oregon. Maybe it’s those Midwestern roots that shape the way he handles his money.

He reportedly puts his money into a few main areas:

• Real estate in Florida and the Pacific Northwest
• A mix of stock market investments
• Conservative long-term growth funds

During the season, he stays in Tampa Bay, but when baseball winds down, he heads back to his property in his home region. While some athletes make headlines for splashy purchases, Cleavinger seems to prefer a long-term, steady approach.

Plenty of financial advisors applaud MLB players who go for sustainability instead of flash, and Cleavinger definitely seems to fit that mold.

Challenges and Injuries

Garrett Cleavinger’s baseball journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing. He’s faced some tough setbacks that really tested his resilience and determination. His story shows just how much pro athletes have to juggle, especially when it comes to injury recovery.

Injury History and Recovery

Cleavinger hit his biggest career hurdle in the 2023 season with the Tampa Bay Rays. He suffered a serious knee injury and had to get season-ending surgery. Just as he was starting to carve out a role in the bullpen, that setback knocked him out.

Before the knee, he’d already dealt with a handful of minor arm injuries while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Those earlier issues weren’t as dramatic, but they still cost him time and slowed his development.

He put in a ton of work during rehab. Cleavinger teamed up with team doctors and physical therapists, grinding through exercises to rebuild his knee strength and mobility. They focused on drills built specifically for pitchers.

Overcoming Adversity

Cleavinger faced just as many mental hurdles as physical ones during his recovery. Staying off the field really tested his patience—he had to watch his teammates play without him, which wasn’t easy at all.

He leaned heavily on his support system. Family, teammates, and folks from the Rays organization all helped him keep a positive mindset through the tough days. Even people back in Broad Oak, his hometown, sent him encouraging messages while he worked on getting healthy.

During that downtime, Cleavinger started looking at the game differently. He spent more time studying hitters and really tried to sharpen his mental approach. Sports psychologists helped him out, too, giving him ways to handle setbacks and build up his resilience.

Despite his injury history, the Rays showed real faith in him—his salary jumped to $1.2 million. That says a lot about how much they believe he can bounce back and play a key role in the bullpen.