Javier Assad – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Javier Assad has quickly become one of the Chicago Cubs’ most valuable pitchers since his MLB debut. The Mexican right-hander, born July 30, 1997, has impressed fans and analysts with his steady presence on the mound.

Assad plays on a one-year deal worth $793,250 with the Cubs, which honestly seems like a steal for Chicago given how he’s performed.

Even though his salary is still modest by MLB standards, Assad’s net worth sits around $754,986 right now. That number should climb in the next few years as he keeps proving himself as a reliable starter.

His rookie deal pays him a 2024 salary of $770,000, which definitely doesn’t match the value he brings to the Cubs’ rotation.

Assad’s rise from the minors to a key role in Chicago’s future is pretty impressive. Back in July 2022, he moved up from the Tennessee Smokies to the Iowa Cubs, and then the big club called him up after selecting his contract.

He’s steadily sharpened his skills since then. Assad’s Mexican roots and his growing profile have made him a fan favorite, especially among baseball fans across North America.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Javier Assad’s journey started in Tijuana, Mexico, where he fell in love with baseball at a young age.

Those early years built the foundation for what would become his pro career with the Chicago Cubs.

Background and Family

Javier Eduardo Assad Ramírez was born in Tijuana on July 30, 1997. He grew up in a city where baseball runs deep, so it’s no surprise he got hooked young.

His family really supported his baseball dream, though they’ve kept most details about themselves out of the spotlight.

Tijuana’s spot on the border gave Assad a unique baseball upbringing, blending Mexican and American influences. That mix shaped how he approaches pitching to this day.

His family made real sacrifices for his baseball journey—traveling to tournaments, buying gear, and making sure he had the right training. That kind of support isn’t something every young talent gets.

High School and Early Baseball Achievements

Assad’s talent started turning heads during high school. He stood out as a young pitcher with a strong arm and a knack for command.

Scouts from both the Mexican League and MLB took notice. Instead of going through the MLB draft, Assad chose the international free agent route, which is common for Mexican players.

The Cubs saw his potential and signed him as a free agent to a minor league deal on July 27, 2015, when he was only 17.

He kicked off his pro career in the Cubs’ system, starting out with the Arizona League Cubs.

That marked the start of a slow, steady climb through the minors. He eventually reached Triple-A Iowa and, finally, the big leagues.

His early performances showed the raw talent the Cubs’ scouts had seen back in Tijuana.

Professional Baseball Journey

Javier Assad’s path to the majors really shows how he’s grown—from an international prospect to a solid member of the Cubs’ pitching staff.

He spent years in the minors, made an impressive MLB debut, and has kept improving ever since.

Minor League Development

The Cubs signed Assad as an international free agent from Mexico in 2015. He started out in the Dominican Summer League, then worked his way up the Cubs’ farm system.

His early numbers in rookie ball were okay, but nothing crazy. Assad kept plugging away, moving through South Bend and Myrtle Beach at Class A.

Things started to click at Double-A Tennessee. That’s where he really refined his pitch mix and sharpened his command.

He added a cutter and improved his breaking stuff to go with his fastball. By the time he reached Triple-A Iowa, Assad was consistent enough for the Cubs to call him up.

His minor league journey took almost seven years, which says a lot about the Cubs’ patience with international pitchers.

MLB Debut with the Chicago Cubs

Assad finally made his MLB debut on August 23, 2022, at Wrigley Field against the St. Louis Cardinals. He looked calm and confident, tossing four scoreless innings right out of the gate.

During his debut season, Assad appeared in 9 games (8 starts) and posted a solid 3.11 ERA. The Cubs’ coaches noticed right away that he could limit hard contact and get ground balls.

The Cubs signed Assad to a one-year deal for 2023 after that promising start. He earned a spot in their long-term plans thanks to his versatility and cool head on the mound.

Key Seasons and Notable Performances

Assad’s 2023 season was a turning point. He became a dependable member of the Cubs’ staff, working as both a starter and a reliever.

He really stepped up in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching 6 scoreless innings and striking out 8. That performance against a division rival made him even more valuable to the Cubs.

By mid-2023, Assad had built a reputation for keeping the Cubs in games, even when things got tough. His ground-ball style worked great with the Cubs’ infield defense.

He kept getting better in 2024, upping his strikeout rate and tightening his command. His contract value increased to $793,250 for the 2024 season, which shows how much the team values him.

Recent Years and Current Status

By May 2025, Assad had locked down his spot in the Cubs’ rotation. He’s now in his fourth MLB season, trying to build on his past success while adjusting as hitters learn more about him.

Assad has stayed healthy, avoiding long stints on the injured list. That durability makes him one of the Cubs’ most valuable assets.

He takes the ball every fifth day, giving the Cubs some much-needed stability in a tough NL Central race.

The 2025 season is a big one for Assad, as he gets closer to free agency eligibility. His performance will shape whether the Cubs try to lock him up long-term or maybe look at trade options.

Cubs management often praises Assad’s work ethic and team-first attitude. He’s earned a lot of respect in the clubhouse, and his development is a win for the Cubs’ international scouting and player development teams.

Contract Details and Career Earnings

Javier Assad’s time with the Cubs has followed the standard pre-arbitration contracts that most young pitchers get. His pay reflects his climb from minor league prospect to big league contributor.

Current Contract Structure

Assad is playing under a one-year, $793,250 contract with the Cubs. This deal covers the 2025 season and is fully guaranteed.

As a pre-arbitration player, his salary sits near the MLB minimum.

Unfortunately, Assad hit a rough patch in 2025. The Cubs put him on the 60-day injured list on April 30 with a left oblique strain.

This injury could affect his numbers and what he earns in the future. His contract doesn’t include big bonuses or incentives, which is pretty standard for players who haven’t reached arbitration yet.

Salary Progression

Assad’s salary has grown a bit since his MLB debut. In past seasons, he earned about $721,500 per year.

That’s a roughly 10% bump from last season to his current 2025 pay.

Here’s a quick look at his salary history:

Assad’s net worth is estimated at $754,986, which comes from his career MLB earnings and maybe a few endorsements.

Arbitration, Extensions, and Free Agency

Assad hasn’t hit salary arbitration yet. That usually starts after three full years of MLB service.

Since he debuted in August 2022, he’ll probably be arbitration-eligible after 2025 if he gets enough service time.

The Cubs haven’t brought up a long-term extension with him so far. Teams usually wait until they’re sure a player is a core piece before buying out arbitration years and free agency seasons.

Assad could hit free agency after six full MLB seasons, which wouldn’t be until after 2028 at the earliest.

How he performs after his current injury will play a huge role in his arbitration case and long-term value. If he keeps developing as a reliable starter, the Cubs might look to keep him around longer.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Javier Assad’s finances have grown steadily since he joined the Cubs. Most of his income comes from his MLB contract, but there’s room for growth if he keeps performing.

Estimated Net Worth

Right now, Assad’s net worth sits at $754,986. That’s not huge compared to MLB veterans, but it’s pretty solid for a pitcher still finding his place.

Most of his money comes from his baseball salary, which is $721,500 a year according to recent numbers.

Assad is still under team control, so he hasn’t reached the big payday stage yet. If he keeps pitching well, his earnings should jump in the next few years.

His financial growth will depend a lot on his pitching performance and whether he can stay healthy with the Cubs.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Assad hasn’t landed any major endorsement deals yet. As a developing pitcher for the Cubs, his marketing opportunities are still a bit limited.

Mexican MLB players sometimes get endorsements from brands looking to grow their presence in Mexico.

As Assad continues to represent Mexico in the majors, he might attract more sponsors, especially from equipment companies and Mexican brands.

If he becomes a fan favorite in Chicago, local endorsements could pop up too. For now, like a lot of young players, he’s focused on developing as a pitcher before chasing big sponsorships.

Impact on Team and Notable Teammates

Javier Assad has become a versatile arm for the Cubs, helping out as both a starter and reliever. He’s also built strong bonds with his fellow pitchers and teammates along the way.

Contributions to the Chicago Cubs

Assad’s been a real asset to the Cubs’ pitching staff ever since his 2022 debut. He’s shown he can handle just about any role, giving the Cubs’ management some much-needed flexibility when they’re piecing together the rotation or bullpen.

In 2024, Assad put up 1.6 bWAR (1.0 fWAR) while splitting his time between starting and relief work.

His steady outings have helped keep the Cubs’ pitching staff afloat during some rough patches. Assad eats innings and has managed to keep a career 3.40 ERA over 294 innings, which has been a lifesaver when injuries hit the rotation.

He’s especially tough at Wrigley Field. Assad’s ground-ball style meshes well with the Cubs’ infield, especially when he works with standout position players like Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki.

Key Games and Highlights

Assad’s racked up a few memorable performances that really show why the Cubs trust him. In 2024, he threw a complete game shutout against the Pirates, mixing all his pitches and striking out eight.

He really stepped up during a crucial September series against the Cardinals. Assad came out of the bullpen for three scoreless innings, giving the overworked relievers a break and helping the Cubs hang onto their playoff hopes.

When Jameson Taillon and Kyle Hendricks went down, Assad jumped into the rotation and rattled off four quality starts in a row. That stretch kept the Cubs in the mix during a pretty tough part of the season.

Collaboration with Fellow Pitchers

Assad’s built some solid relationships with the other Cubs pitchers, especially the veterans. You’ll often find him sitting with Kyle Hendricks, picking up tips on sequencing and prep from the changeup expert.

He and Shota Imanaga, the Cubs’ Japanese starter, have become a bit of a duo. They swap grip ideas even though their styles are pretty different.

Justin Steele, the lefty, has helped Assad figure out how to handle left-handed hitters. During bullpen sessions, Assad works with Drew Smyly and Hayden Wesneski on sharpening his breaking stuff.

This kind of teamwork has helped younger pitchers like Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, and Cade Horton learn the ropes and adjust to big league lineups.

Career Highlights and Future Outlook

Javier Assad’s become a reliable starter for the Cubs, and you can see the growth since his MLB debut. His path hasn’t always been smooth, but the ups and downs have shaped where he stands in the league now.

Awards and Accolades

Assad hasn’t picked up any major league hardware yet, but his stats really do the talking. In 2024, the young Mexican righty set career highs with 29 starts and 147 innings for the Cubs.

He posted a solid 3.73 ERA and struck out 124, proving he’s turning into a reliable starter.

Analysts have taken notice of Assad’s control and pitch development. He’s especially good at limiting hard contact, which has come in handy against tough divisional teams like the Cardinals and Pirates.

He’s also gone toe-to-toe with powerhouses like the Dodgers and Braves. Those outings have boosted his profile, even if he sometimes gets overlooked in a market crowded with bigger names.

Potential Trades and Free Agency Prospects

Assad’s contract ($793,250) gives the Cubs a lot of value and team control. Some reports say teams like the Yankees and Mets have kicked the tires on Assad, hoping he could be a solid mid-rotation starter.

His recent placement on the 60-day IL with a left oblique strain (as of April 30, 2025) might cool off trade talks for now. Teams probably want to see him back healthy before making a move.

The Cubs have some decisions to make with their pitching staff, especially with Marcus Stroman’s situation and other rotation questions lingering. Patrick Mooney reported that the Cubs see Assad as a potential long-term piece, not just a trade chip, even though other teams keep asking about him.

Role in the MLB Landscape

At 27, Assad finds himself stepping into what should be his best years as an MLB pitcher.

He didn’t follow the same flashy path as guys like Walker Buehler or Jack Flaherty. Instead, he’s carved out a spot by just being steady—something teams quietly crave when it comes to pitching.

Assad relies on a pitch mix and approach that fits right in with today’s MLB trends. He goes for movement instead of just trying to blow hitters away.

Honestly, that style could help him dodge the Tommy John surgery curse that’s messed up so many careers lately.

You see the Braves, Dodgers, and Yankees hogging the spotlight with their superstar rotations. But Assad? He’s the kind of mid-tier arm that actually fills out a roster and can tip the scales when it comes to playoff depth.

He’s kept the Cubs afloat more than once by keeping the ball in the park, especially in those nail-biter ninth innings.

If you’re curious, his net worth sits around $754,986. That number could jump a lot if he stays healthy and keeps trending upward after this injury.