Jake Cousins – New York Yankees Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Jake Cousins has become a name worth knowing among Major League Baseball pitchers, now suiting up for the New York Yankees. Born July 14, 1994, Cousins throws right-handed and has carved out a winding, sometimes unpredictable road to one of baseball’s most iconic clubs. Jake Cousins is earning $841,050 on his current one-year Yankees contract, and his net worth is estimated at $889,475.

Cousins bounced around a bit before landing with the Yankees. He spent time with the Chicago White Sox organization on a minor league deal. The Yankees pulled him up from their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, giving him a shot to prove himself on a big stage.

He’s not exactly a household name—at least, not yet—but his growth as a reliever has caught the eye of people inside the game. He’s got the stuff to help the Yankees’ bullpen, so he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on as the 2025 season rolls along. Take a look at his contract info with the Yankees; it’s clear they see something in him.

Jake Cousins Overview

Jake Cousins pitches for the New York Yankees. His path from college ball to the majors is a testament to his grit and steady improvement.

Early Life and Background

Jake Owen Cousins was born July 14, 1994. He’s 6’4″ and weighs in at 195 pounds—pretty much the prototype for a pitcher.

He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he sharpened his game in the Ivy League. College ball gave him a foundation and helped him focus on his righty pitching.

Cousins didn’t take the typical route of getting drafted straight out of high school. He wasn’t some can’t-miss prospect, so he had to grind a bit more to get noticed.

He kept working on his craft in the minors, dialing in his mechanics and building up his velocity before finally getting a shot at the majors.

Family and Personal Life

Cousins keeps things pretty low-key when it comes to his personal life. His family, though, has always been in his corner, cheering him on during the big moments.

He’s always shown a lot of personal discipline, which has helped him stick it out as a pro pitcher for the Yankees. Balancing the demands of a long MLB season with family and friends isn’t easy, and Cousins deals with the same travel grind as every other big leaguer.

When he joined the Yankees, it marked a big shift, both professionally and personally. Playing in the New York spotlight is no joke, and he’s had to adjust to the extra attention and pressure that comes with it.

Baseball Career Highlights

Jake Cousins’ baseball story is really about sticking with it and improving year after year. From college to the bullpen, he’s shown he’s not afraid to put in the work.

College and Draft Journey

Cousins got his start at the University of Pennsylvania, where he quietly built a solid resume. After college, he entered the MLB Draft and the Washington Nationals picked him up in the 20th round in 2017. It wasn’t a flashy selection, but it got him in the door.

He wasn’t a top draft pick, but he showed enough potential to get noticed. That college experience gave him a good base, even if the road to the big leagues wasn’t exactly smooth.

Instead of racing through the minors, Cousins had to detour through independent ball before finally proving he belonged in a major league bullpen.

Minor League Achievements

Cousins kicked off his pro career in 2017 with the GCL Nationals and Auburn Doubledays, where he went 2-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 18 games. Not a bad way to start.

He faced some tough stretches in the minors, especially after leaving the Nationals organization. But he kept at it, and eventually the Milwaukee Brewers gave him a shot.

That persistence paid off in a big way. When he finally reached the majors, he reeled off 17 consecutive scoreless appearances, covering 18 innings. That’s the kind of debut that turns heads.

With his 6’4″, 195-pound frame, Cousins brings some intimidation to the mound. He relies on his arm strength to get outs, more than trying to finesse hitters.

Major League Baseball Experience

Jake Cousins has made a name for himself as a reliever who leans heavily on his slider and racks up strikeouts. He’s bounced between teams, but he’s proven he can hang in big league bullpens.

MLB Debut and Notable Moments

Cousins broke into the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers on June 21, 2021. He made a strong first impression, showing off a nasty slider and some real strikeout stuff. In his rookie year, he put up impressive numbers and quickly became a bullpen weapon.

He had a memorable stretch of scoreless innings early on, showing he could handle the pressure. Cousins’ knack for getting swings and misses made him valuable in tight spots.

He’s battled through some injury setbacks, but he’s stayed resilient. That slider keeps giving hitters fits, and his strikeout rate has stayed solid against top competition.

Teams Played For and Trades

Cousins started in the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he built his reputation as a reliable reliever. He then signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox in December 2023.

His stint with the White Sox didn’t last long. The Yankees traded for him, looking to shore up their bullpen with another arm.

Born in Parkridge, IL, and now 30 years old, Cousins has had to adapt to new teams and different pitching philosophies. There have been rumors about interest from teams like the Marlins and Angels, but Cousins has simply focused on making the most of every opportunity.

His career so far really shows how unpredictable life as a reliever can be. You’ve got to be flexible, persistent, and ready to move at a moment’s notice if you want to stick in the majors.

Jake Cousins’ Contract Details

Jake Cousins has worked his way through a handful of contracts since turning pro. His financial picture reflects a steady climb, starting from the bottom and working up through the MLB pay scale.

Current Contract Terms

Right now, Cousins is playing on a one-year, $841,050 contract with the Yankees. That’s all guaranteed. He’s still pre-arbitration, with just over two years of service time as of January 2025, so the Yankees control his rights for now.

The Yankees picked him up before the 2025 season to add depth to the bullpen. His salary fits the standard range for players at his stage—guys who haven’t hit arbitration yet.

Once Cousins reaches three years of service, he’ll be up for arbitration and can negotiate a raise based on his numbers and what similar players make.

Previous Contracts

Before the Yankees, Cousins pitched for several teams on rookie and league-minimum deals. He spent plenty of time grinding it out in the minors, where salaries are, let’s be honest, pretty low.

He’s worth about $889,475 now, based mostly on his baseball earnings since turning pro. His path hasn’t been straightforward, but he stuck with it and finally broke into the majors.

In March 2024, the Charlotte Knights traded him to the Yankees’ Triple-A team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Not long after, the Yankees called him up to the big league roster.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Jake Cousins has put together a solid financial base during his time in pro ball. His earnings tell the story of a player who’s worked his way up from the minors to the majors.

Salary and Earnings

He’s making an annual salary of $841,050 with the Yankees, which is a big step up from what he made in the minors. Minor leaguers don’t earn much, so getting to the majors is a financial game-changer.

His current deal with the Yankees is a one-year contract, all guaranteed. Before that, he signed a minor league contract with the White Sox in December 2024, but the Yankees picked him up for cash considerations.

Drafted in the 20th round (613th overall) by the Nationals back in 2017, Cousins probably got a modest signing bonus—not exactly life-changing money.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Cousins isn’t raking in big endorsement deals like some MLB stars. As a reliever who hasn’t broken out as a star, brands haven’t exactly lined up to sponsor him.

Most of his money comes straight from his baseball salary, which is pretty common for bullpen guys. Starting pitchers or everyday position players usually get the big marketing deals.

He doesn’t have a huge social media following, so you won’t see him pushing products online the way some athletes do.

Investments and Assets

His net worth is estimated at $889,475, which covers his baseball pay, any investments, and other assets.

Cousins grew up in Parkridge, Illinois, and went to college before turning pro, so he’s had some time to get his finances in order. Most players at his stage look at real estate for their first big investment, but there aren’t any public details about what Cousins owns.

At 30 years old (born July 14, 1994), he still has time to add to his earnings if he keeps landing MLB contracts.

Accolades and Recognition

Jake Cousins has put together a career that’s had its share of highlights, even if he’s had to fight for every opportunity.

Awards and Honors

Cousins picked up some recognition in college, earning All-Ivy League honors while pitching at the University of Pennsylvania. The Nationals drafted him in the 20th round in 2017, and that’s when his pro career really started to take shape.

In the minors, he showed off his strikeout ability and earned some team awards along the way. He’s never been in the running for something like the Silver Slugger Award—that’s for hitters, after all—but as a reliever, he’s earned respect for his pitching stats and his ability to help a bullpen.

Significant Achievements

Cousins reached his biggest milestone in 2021 when he debuted in the MLB with the Milwaukee Brewers. That moment capped off a wild journey through independent baseball after teams let him go from affiliated ball. Honestly, it’s a pretty amazing comeback story and shows just how stubborn and determined he can be.

His path to the majors? Not the usual one. It was rough, and that made finally getting there even sweeter. After the New York Yankees picked him up, Cousins kept working on his game, even though he spent some time on the 60-day Injured List.

He hasn’t played in any championship games like the Super Bowl, but climbing from independent leagues all the way to the majors is probably the highlight of his career so far.

Off-Field Interests and Media Presence

Jake Cousins keeps things pretty low-key off the field. He manages to balance his personal interests and some community work, but you won’t see him plastered all over the internet like a lot of other players.

Social Media Activity

Cousins pops up on social media now and then, but he’s not one of those MLB guys constantly posting. He uses Instagram to drop the occasional photo—usually baseball stuff, workouts, or a team celebration.

He doesn’t really get into hot topics online. You won’t catch him building a giant personal brand or diving into drama. Most of his posts are about the game or family, and that’s about it.

A few teammates say Cousins is actually an avid photographer when he’s got downtime. He’ll sometimes share some pretty slick travel or outdoor shots from team trips, but you have to keep an eye out—they’re not frequent.

Community Involvement

After signing with the Yankees for $841,050, Cousins started getting more involved in community stuff. He shows up for team charity events, especially those supporting youth baseball in places that need it most.

Back with the Brewers, Cousins volunteered for local literacy programs and read to kids at elementary schools. Even after moving to New York, he kept up with community work, though he doesn’t really make a big deal out of it.

He’s talked about wanting to start a youth pitching clinic in his hometown, Parkridge, Illinois. It’s still just talk for now, but he hopes to use his experience to help young players where he first learned the game.

Related Notable Figures

Jake Cousins shares his last name with a famous NFL quarterback, but they’re not actually related. Over the years, Jake has crossed paths with a handful of big names in sports who’ve helped shape his career.

Connection to Kirk Cousins

Jake Cousins and Kirk Cousins might have the same last name, but that’s where the connection ends. Kirk, the NFL quarterback with a jaw-dropping net worth of $120 million, is a much bigger name in sports. Jake gets asked about it sometimes, which is probably a little awkward.

The name thing has led to some funny moments for Jake in interviews. He just keeps his head down and focuses on his pitching career with the Yankees, while Kirk keeps doing his thing as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

Kirk plays in a league full of superstars like Aaron Rodgers, but Jake’s world is a little different—MLB relief pitchers don’t usually get the same spotlight. Their careers have taken totally separate routes.

Interactions with MLB and NFL Figures

Jake Cousins has gotten to know some well-known MLB folks along the way. When he joined the New York Yankees in 2024, he landed with a legendary franchise and met some big-name players.

Before the Yankees, Jake played for the Charlotte Knights, who traded him to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in March 2024. Those moves introduced him to a bunch of coaches and teammates who influenced his growth.

Pitching in MLB is a different beast than playing defense in the NFL. Jake faces down hitters, not wide receivers, but the mental grind is real in both sports. NFL guys like Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers pull in huge paychecks, while Jake’s Yankees contract at $841,050 shows just how different the pay scales are.

Lesser-Known Facts

There’s more to Jake Cousins than just his baseball stats. His story—almost quitting the game, then making it to the majors—has a few surprises and personal tidbits fans might not expect.

Interests Outside Baseball

When baseball’s on break, Jake Cousins hits the golf course. He plays pretty often in the off-season, calling it his way to relax and keep that competitive spark going.

He’s also shown some interest in business after baseball, probably thanks to his Ivy League days at the University of Pennsylvania. If his schedule allows, he’ll catch an NBA game—especially the Knicks when he’s in New York.

Cousins loves the outdoors too. He spends time fishing at his family’s lake house in the off-season, just unwinding and escaping the daily grind of pro sports.

Trivia and Anecdotes

Even though he shares a last name with NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins, Jake isn’t actually related to the football star. People seem to get that mixed up all the time, but he just laughs it off.

At one point, Cousins almost gave up on baseball before he finally got his shot. He once said, “This year was crazy,” talking about bouncing between teams. “We were in each spot for about three weeks, and it was a lot of fun.” Sounds exhausting, honestly, but he made it work.

Now with the Yankees, Cousins rocks jersey number 54. That number means something to him—it goes back to his college days.

During college, he even thought about taking acting classes for a bit. Turns out, those performance skills help when you have to face the media as a pro athlete. Oh, and he still uses the same Wilson glove from his minor league days. Guess you could call it his lucky charm.