Gavin Hollowell – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Gavin Ernest Hollowell was born on November 4, 1997, in Somerset, New Jersey. He’s worked his way up in professional baseball since the Colorado Rockies picked him in the sixth round of the 2019 draft out of St. John’s University.

The right-handed reliever made his MLB debut on September 19, 2022, at age 24. That moment kicked off his journey in the big leagues.

Hollowell now earns a salary of $760,000 on a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, and his estimated net worth sits at $669,740.

When the Rockies drafted Hollowell, he signed for a bonus of $225,000. He spent time developing in Colorado’s system before they added him to the big-league roster in September 2022. For a mid-round pick, his path shows the typical financial climb as he tries to carve out a place in the majors.

At 27, Hollowell’s move to the Cubs marks a fresh start. The organization saw enough in his arm to offer a guaranteed $760,000 deal.

He’s not among the highest-paid relievers yet, but his contract is a clear step up from his early professional paydays. This deal gives him some security as he fights for a spot in Chicago’s bullpen.

Early Life and Education

Hollowell grew up in Somerset, New Jersey. Those early days shaped the athlete he’d eventually become.

His time in high school and college baseball laid the foundation for his MLB career.

Family Background

Gavin Ernest Hollowell entered the world on November 4, 1997, in Somerset, New Jersey. Not much is out there about his immediate family, but his Jersey upbringing definitely influenced his path as an athlete.

He grew up in the Northeast and started playing baseball young. The local youth leagues in that area are pretty competitive, which helped him develop his pitching.

His family probably played a big role in supporting his early baseball dreams. That’s usually the case for athletes who start young.

High School Journey

Hollowell went to Montgomery High School in Skillman, New Jersey. He made a name for himself there as a real baseball prospect.

At Montgomery, he sharpened his pitching by facing tough competition in New Jersey’s high school circuit.

During those years, his growing velocity and control started to catch the eye of college scouts. He showed he could handle the mound against strong opponents.

The structure of high school sports helped Hollowell build his technique and mental toughness. That’s something every pro athlete needs.

Collegiate Baseball Experience

After high school, Hollowell headed to St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He kept working on his pitching and faced solid competition in the Big East Conference.

His college years were crucial. The higher level of play and coaching at St. John’s turned him from a high school standout into a legitimate pro prospect.

Eventually, the Colorado Rockies picked him in the 6th round (189th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. His time at St. John’s really set him up for the jump to pro ball.

Professional Baseball Career

Gavin Hollowell’s pro baseball story has taken him from a mid-round draft pick to the majors with more than one team. He’s played for both the Rockies and the Cubs, dealing with plenty of ups and downs.

Draft and Signing

The Colorado Rockies grabbed Hollowell in the 6th round (189th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. He came in as a right-handed pitcher from St. John’s University.

Born in Somerset, New Jersey, Hollowell brought his college pitching experience to the Rockies’ system. His draft slot showed the Rockies saw him as a promising bullpen arm.

He signed and jumped right into Colorado’s minor league program. The Rockies liked his right-handed delivery and his potential to work out of the pen.

Minor League Progression

Hollowell worked his way through the Rockies’ minor league ranks. He moved up level by level, sharpening his pitches and getting more consistent as a reliever.

He spent time at several minor league affiliates, starting in rookie ball and advancing to tougher leagues. Coaches helped him expand his pitch mix and tighten up his command.

Later, Hollowell landed with Triple-A Iowa in the Cubs system. That’s usually the last stop before the big leagues, and it was a big test. He faced more experienced hitters and had to adjust to the higher level.

His minor league numbers showed enough promise to catch the attention of MLB decision-makers. His stint at Triple-A eventually earned him a shot at the majors.

Major League Debut and Teams

Hollowell finally made it to the majors after years of grinding through the minors. He realized a childhood dream by pitching at the highest level.

He joined the Chicago Cubs and signed a 1-year, $760,000 contract. That guaranteed salary marked his official arrival as a major leaguer.

Life in the big leagues comes with its own set of challenges, especially for relievers. Hollowell has dealt with roster moves and stiff competition for bullpen jobs. He’s worked alongside other Cubs prospects like Michael Busch, all trying to stick in the majors.

Injuries have played a part in Hollowell’s journey, and he’s spent time on the injured list. Like a lot of relievers, he’s had to deal with the business side of baseball—sometimes getting designated for assignment as teams shuffle their 40-man rosters.

Contract Details

Gavin Hollowell’s MLB career has included a few key contracts that have shaped his financial standing. His path from rookie to major leaguer shows the typical progression through baseball’s system.

Rookie Contract Overview

Hollowell started his pro career after the Rockies drafted him in 2019 in the sixth round (189th overall) out of St. John’s University. As a sixth-rounder, Hollowell’s initial contract came with a modest signing bonus—not like what first-rounders get.

He spent time with the Hartford Yard Goats during his minor league journey. The Rockies added him to their 40-man roster on September 18, 2022, which brought him up to the majors. That was a big step, moving him from a minor league deal to the big league roster.

When players reach the majors, they usually make something close to the league minimum salary and stay under team control for six full seasons.

Contract Extensions

So far, Hollowell hasn’t landed any major contract extensions. In March 2023, he re-signed with the Rockies, sticking with the team that drafted him.

He’s had pretty standard deals for a player at this stage of his career. His limited time in the majors hasn’t led to a big long-term extension yet.

Teams usually offer those extensions to young players who show real value over multiple seasons.

Free Agency Status

Hollowell still has a long way to go before he hits free agency. MLB players need six full years of service time to get there, and Hollowell only debuted in September 2022.

Right now, he’s playing on a one-year, $760,000 contract with the Cubs. That’s his 2023 salary and is about what you’d expect for a pre-arbitration player.

His net worth is estimated at $669,740, showing he’s still early in his MLB career. As he racks up service time, he’ll eventually become eligible for salary arbitration, which usually brings a nice pay bump in today’s game.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Gavin Hollowell has built a modest financial portfolio since going pro. Most of his earnings come from his MLB contracts, and his financial picture is still developing.

Career Earnings

Hollowell started earning pro baseball money after the Rockies picked him in the 6th round (189th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. He got a signing bonus of $225,000 at the start, which was a bit under the $253,300 slot value for that pick.

His pay jumped when he reached the majors. He currently brings in a salary of $760,000 with the Cubs on a one-year deal. That’s a typical salary for someone early in their big-league career.

Some sources list his salary at around $720,000, but either way, his career earnings are on the rise as he tries to stick in the majors.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Hollowell hasn’t really made a splash with endorsements yet. As a relief pitcher who debuted with the Rockies and then joined the Cubs, he hasn’t had the same opportunities as everyday players or stars.

Most of his endorsements are probably equipment-related, maybe with glove brands or athletic companies. At this stage, those deals usually just provide gear and a little extra cash.

If Hollowell’s role with the Cubs grows and he becomes more visible, he could land better sponsorships. Chicago’s a big market, so there’s potential if he proves himself as a reliable bullpen guy.

Financial Management

Like a lot of pro athletes, Hollowell probably works with financial advisors to handle his baseball money. MLB teams offer financial literacy resources, and the MLB Players Association helps with investment and retirement planning.

With a net worth estimated at $669,740, Hollowell has built a solid base, but he’s still early in his career. His financial portfolio isn’t as big as a veteran’s, so he’ll need to manage it carefully.

Players in Hollowell’s shoes tend to focus on:

• Building up emergency savings
• Making safe investments
• Planning for life after baseball
• Handling taxes from working in multiple states

Since he was born in 1997 and went to St. John’s, Hollowell probably keeps some ties to his college days while working on his financial future.

Personal Life and Impact

Off the mound, Gavin Hollowell tries to keep things balanced. He’s involved in community service and has personal interests outside of baseball.

His activities away from the field show that he values giving back and making a positive impact.

Community Involvement

Since joining the Chicago Cubs, Hollowell has really thrown himself into community life. He often shows up at team-run youth baseball clinics, working side by side with young players to help them build their skills and confidence.

When the off-season rolls around, Hollowell heads back to Somerset, New Jersey—his hometown. He volunteers at local schools, talking with students about why education and perseverance actually matter.

He works closely with the Cubs’ community relations department, helping the team connect with fans in ways that feel genuine. Throughout the season, you’ll spot Hollowell at fan events, signing autographs and chatting with supporters from all walks of life.

Philanthropic Initiatives

Hollowell has quietly earned a reputation for charitable work, especially around youth sports in areas that don’t always get the spotlight. He’s donated equipment to youth baseball leagues in both Chicago and New Jersey.

In 2024, he launched a small foundation to create baseball opportunities for kids from low-income families. The initiative covers league fees and equipment costs through scholarships.

He teams up with Cubs teammates to support food banks in the Chicago area, especially during the holidays. Hollowell likes to get his hands dirty—he’d rather show up in person than just send a check.

He also supports educational programs, focusing on after-school athletics that encourage both learning and staying active.

Off-Field Interests

Off the field, Hollowell keeps things pretty balanced. He’s an avid reader and sometimes shares book tips with fans on social media.

He loves being outdoors, especially fishing and hiking when baseball’s on pause. Those quiet moments help him recharge after the grind of a long season.

Music matters to him too. Back in his minor league days, Hollowell picked up guitar to pass the time on road trips. Every now and then, he’ll play a set at team charity events.

Family is a big deal for Hollowell. Born on November 4, 1997, he stays close with his parents and siblings, who turn up at his games whenever the Cubs play out east.

Legal and Professional Challenges

Gavin Hollowell’s journey in Major League Baseball hasn’t been all smooth sailing. He’s had to deal with challenges that tested his resilience, both on and off the field. These ups and downs shaped his career and contract negotiations in ways you might not expect.

Injuries and Setbacks

Hollowell has run into his share of physical setbacks since turning pro. While pitching for the Colorado Rockies organization, he struggled with arm issues that limited what he could do on the mound. He had to go through rehab, which definitely slowed down his development.

In early 2023, shoulder inflammation kept him off the field for several weeks. That one stung, especially since he was trying to prove himself in the majors after debuting with the Rockies in September 2022.

He bounced back through focused physical therapy and a new training routine that targeted the problem areas. Those injuries forced Hollowell to rethink his pitching mechanics to avoid more trouble down the line.

Legal Representation and Trials

Unlike some athletes who seem to attract headlines, Hollowell has managed to keep his legal record pretty clean. He stuck to the usual MLB channels for contract negotiations and didn’t run into any major disputes.

When he signed his $760,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, Hollowell leaned on professional representation to lock in solid terms. That partnership has helped him navigate the complicated world of pro sports contracts.

Baseball players deal with plenty of contractual trials that aren’t about courtrooms—they’re about performance reviews and team decisions. Hollowell faced that when he moved from the Colorado Rockies to the Cubs.

Role of Attorneys

Professional sports attorneys have really shaped Hollowell’s career path in a big way. These legal experts jump in to hammer out contract details—think salary numbers, incentive clauses, and those all-important option years.

For someone like Hollowell, who didn’t snag a huge signing bonus coming into MLB, attorneys work to squeeze the most out of every contract. Their advice matters even more when a player switches teams, like Hollowell did when he joined the Cubs. That kind of move? Yeah, you want a pro in your corner.

Baseball attorneys also weigh in on stuff like endorsement deals, tax planning, and investment choices. Sure, Hollowell might not have landed any major endorsements, but solid legal help makes sure his MLB salary doesn’t slip through the cracks.

Most MLB players steer clear of representing themselves in negotiations—modern contracts are just too complicated. Hollowell sticks with the norm and trusts a professional to handle his legal and contract business.