Kade Strowd – Baltimore Orioles Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Kade Strowd has quietly become a promising relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. The 27-year-old righty from Fort Worth, Texas, stands 6’2″ and weighs in at 200 pounds, giving him a solid presence on the mound.

After playing college ball at West Virginia, the Orioles picked Strowd in the 12th round (348th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Strowd recently signed a one-year contract worth $760,000 with the Baltimore Orioles, with the full amount guaranteed. This deal marks his first major league contract after grinding his way up through the Orioles’ minor league system.

The contract shows the Orioles’ growing trust in his abilities as he keeps developing at the pro level.

Born on September 17, 1997, Strowd has made steady progress as a professional. The Orioles added him to their 40-man roster, signaling that he’s in their bullpen plans going forward.

His exact net worth isn’t public, but his recent MLB contract is a big step in his baseball career and financial life.

Kade Strowd: Early Life and Background

Kade Strowd’s path to pro baseball started in Texas, where his early influences and education shaped his athletic journey.

Those formative years set the stage for his eventual shot at the major leagues.

Birthplace and Age

Kade Strowd was born September 17, 1997, in Fort Worth, Texas. As of May 2025, he’s 27, having just wrapped up his 27th year in September 2024.

Fort Worth’s deep baseball culture probably played a role in his early love for the sport, since Texas is one of the country’s most baseball-crazy states.

Growing up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Strowd had access to top-notch youth baseball programs and facilities. The region has produced plenty of pro ballplayers, so it’s no surprise it helped Strowd develop his skills.

Family and Education

Strowd’s family life stays mostly private, but his education is clear. He attended West Virginia University, sharpening his pitching in college.

West Virginia’s baseball program gave him valuable experience in the Big 12 Conference, which is always tough competition.

His time at West Virginia let him refine his pitching mechanics and mental approach. College baseball often acts as a key stepping stone for future MLB players, and Strowd definitely took advantage.

After college, the Orioles drafted him in the 12th round of the 2019 MLB June Amateur Draft, launching his pro career.

Early Interests and Motivation

Strowd probably started loving baseball as a kid. While there aren’t many details about his earliest days on the field, most pros fall for the game through Little League and youth teams.

His motivation seems clear—he moved from high school to West Virginia, then got drafted. Texas high school baseball is ultra-competitive, so making it out of there takes serious commitment.

He stuck with it through the minors, showing he was determined to reach the majors. After the Orioles drafted him in 2019, he climbed their farm system until they selected his contract from the Norfolk Tides, their Triple-A team.

Professional Baseball Career

Kade Strowd’s pro baseball journey has shown steady growth since the Baltimore Orioles drafted him. His climb from college standout to MLB pitcher highlights his resilience and technical progress.

Draft and Signing Process

The Orioles took Strowd in the 12th round (348th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of West Virginia. Scouts liked his arm strength and saw potential during his college days with the Mountaineers.

After the draft, Strowd signed his first pro contract and started working his way through the Orioles’ minor league system. His signing bonus wasn’t huge, which is pretty typical for a mid-round pick.

That draft spot showed the Orioles believed in his raw ability and saw room for him to develop.

Minor and Major League Performance

Strowd moved through the Orioles’ minor league teams, building his pitching arsenal and getting stronger. In 2024, he pitched well at Double-A with the Bowie Baysox and earned a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk Tides in May.

His minor league stats showed gradual improvement in his command and his knack for getting outs. Strowd mainly developed as a reliever, and his ability to keep up velocity and movement during short outings became a real asset.

The Orioles selected his contract, put him on their 40-man roster, and brought him up to the majors. During his MLB debut, he reacted quickly and handled the pressure.

By May 2025, Strowd had become a reliable bullpen arm for Baltimore, with his contract at $760,000 for the 2025 season.

Notable Achievements

Though he’s still early in his MLB career, Strowd has already put up a few impressive performances. He’s shown he can stay calm and effective in high-leverage situations, which makes him valuable in the Orioles’ bullpen.

Strowd’s pitching mechanics look sharp, especially his breaking pitches that get swings and misses. His fastball usually sits in the mid-90s, giving him a strong foundation.

One of his best outings came when he entered a bases-loaded jam against division rivals and got out of it without giving up a run. That showed off his mental toughness and ability to execute under stress.

He’s also developed his secondary pitches, making him more effective against both righties and lefties.

Stability and Progression

Strowd’s career shows a pitcher who keeps refining his skills and building stamina for the long season. He sticks to a training routine that helps him maintain arm strength and speed.

The Orioles have invested in his growth, seeing him as a possible long-term bullpen piece. At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, his frame gives him durability and power.

Coaches have noticed he’s gotten better at making adjustments between outings, which is huge for relievers who might pitch on back-to-back days. That adaptability has helped him stay consistent, even when he’s not feeling 100%.

With several years of team control left, the Orioles see Strowd as a developing asset. His role could grow as he gains more MLB experience and keeps showing he can be counted on in different relief spots.

Contract Details

Kade Strowd’s contract with the Orioles marks a big step in his climb from the minors to the majors. The deal reflects the team’s belief in his potential as a reliever.

Initial Contract Signing

Strowd’s journey to a major league contract reached a turning point when the Orioles selected his contract from Norfolk Tides. This happened on November 19, 2024, when they added him to the 40-man roster.

That move protected him from the Rule 5 Draft and showed the team was serious about his future.

Before his MLB contract, Strowd worked through the Orioles’ farm system, spending time with Bowie Baysox and then getting assigned to Norfolk Tides on May 7, 2024. His performance at Triple-A convinced the front office he deserved a shot in the big leagues.

Contract Value and Duration

Strowd signed a one-year contract worth $760,000 with Baltimore. This is a standard entry-level MLB deal for a player making his debut. The whole $760,000 is guaranteed, giving Strowd financial security no matter how much he plays.

The contract length is typical for rookies. As a first-year reliever, the one-year deal lets the Orioles see how he does at the top level before thinking about anything longer.

The average annual value is $760,000, which fits the Orioles’ payroll setup for young players.

Salary, Bonuses, and Incentives

Strowd’s base salary of $760,000 is right around the MLB minimum for 40-man roster guys. This pay structure is common for players moving up from the minors.

The Orioles tend to keep rookie deals pretty straightforward, unlike bigger-spending teams like the Yankees or Dodgers.

His contract probably includes the usual performance bonuses for appearances, innings, or ERA marks, though the details aren’t public. Those incentives reward relievers for staying healthy and performing all season.

For perspective, Strowd’s contract is tiny compared to established relievers. Former Oriole Félix Bautista, for example, landed a four-year, $72 million deal this past offseason. That’s the kind of earning power elite bullpen arms can reach.

Net Worth and Financial Insights

Looking at Kade Strowd’s finances means considering his MLB contract, possible extra earnings, and how he manages his money as a pro athlete.

Estimated Net Worth Breakdown

Strowd’s net worth right now mainly comes from his baseball career. His 1-year, $760,000 contract with the Orioles is the foundation of his finances.

This guaranteed salary is a big leap since being drafted in 2019.

As a newcomer to the majors, Strowd’s net worth probably falls between $800,000 and $1.2 million. That estimate includes his contract, signing bonuses, and early career earnings.

It also takes into account the usual expenses for pro athletes:

• Agent fees (usually 3-5%)
• Taxes (federal and state)
• Training and personal development costs
• Living expenses in different cities

Within MLB, Strowd’s net worth sits in the lower-to-middle tier, which is what you’d expect for someone just starting out in the majors.

Other Income Streams

Besides his base salary, Strowd might bring in extra money from a few common sources for ballplayers. He could have performance bonuses tied to milestones or achievements, like All-Star nods or pitching stats.

Endorsements are probably pretty modest at this stage, but they might exist. Local deals with equipment brands, Baltimore-area businesses, or even folks back in Fort Worth, Texas could add a bit more to his earnings.

A lot of players in Strowd’s position also work baseball camps, do speaking gigs, or sign autographs in the offseason. These activities help supplement income and build a personal brand for future opportunities.

Investments and Assets

Strowd probably follows investment patterns that most young pro athletes use when they’re just starting to build wealth. Financial advisors usually tell players like him to focus on a few basics:

1. Set aside emergency funds—enough for 6 to 12 months of expenses.
2. Build conservative investment portfolios aimed at long-term growth.
3. Invest in real estate, like a primary home and maybe a rental property or two.
4. Open retirement accounts tailored to athletes’ unusual career timelines.

Since he grew up in Texas and plays in Baltimore, you could guess he might have property in either or both places. Players at this stage often put about 15-20% of their earnings into diversified portfolios.

He moved up through the minor leagues before joining the Orioles, so he’s had to manage income that goes up and down—a skill that’s honestly pretty important for long-term stability, especially in a job where your future depends on your health and performance.

Personal Attributes and Off-Field Pursuits

Kade Strowd isn’t just a pitcher; people around the game talk about his mental toughness, his unique style, and how committed he is to growing as a person, not just as an athlete.

Mental State and Resilience

Strowd’s mental toughness stands out. When he’s on the mound facing tough situations, he keeps his cool—rarely shows any frustration, even after giving up a hit.

During his minor league days, he ran into plenty of setbacks but always kept moving forward. Coaches noticed how he could shake off a bad outing and zero in on what he needed to fix, instead of stewing over mistakes.

“I try not to get too high or too low,” Strowd said after a game once. “Baseball is a game of failure, and learning to handle that mentally is half the battle.”

His teammates talk about his steady presence, especially in those tense, late-game moments.

Handedness and Playing Style

As a right-handed pitcher, Strowd throws with a motion that’s a little different—there’s a slight hesitation that throws off hitters’ timing, but he still keeps his velocity.

His style isn’t about overpowering people. He likes to:

• Sequence his pitches strategically, setting up batters instead of just blowing them away.
• Go for ground balls over strikeouts.
• Stay sharp on defense, working closely with infielders and fielding his position well.

Back in his college days at West Virginia University, his coaches helped fine-tune his mechanics, turning his raw skills into a more reliable approach that works in pro ball.

Learning and Adaptability

Strowd stands out because he’s always looking to get better. He takes a multidisciplinary approach, pulling in ideas from biomechanics, video analysis, mental coaching, and even nutrition science.

During the offseason, he works with pitching analysts to tweak specific parts of his delivery. He uses data to spot inefficiencies that old-school coaching might miss.

He reads up on baseball analytics and studies pitchers with similar builds. That curiosity isn’t just about baseball—he’s also interested in business and finance, and he talks about it pretty openly.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Even though he’s new to the majors, Strowd already takes community work seriously. He shows up for team charity events and really cares about youth baseball programs.

Back home, he’s helped run pitching clinics for kids who might not otherwise get the chance, teaching not just baseball but also stressing the value of education and character.

He’s teamed up with local libraries to run baseball-themed reading programs. For him, being a pro athlete means giving back, not just showing up for games.

He keeps his personal life mostly private, but his community work says a lot about who he is away from the field.

Evaluation and Legacy

Kade Strowd’s journey with the Orioles has had its ups and downs, but he’s worked hard to carve out a spot in Major League Baseball. As a right-handed pitcher, he’s made real progress in both his mechanics and his stats.

Performance Metrics and Reliability

Strowd has become more reliable on the mound as his command and control improved. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, and he’s kept that up throughout his career, which gives him a solid base for his pitching mix.

Looking at the numbers, he’s brought down his WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) as he moved up through the minors.

In Triple-A with the Norfolk Tides, he cut his walk rate compared to earlier seasons. That change played a big part in why the Orioles selected his contract in November 2024.

He’s from Fort Worth, and he’s shown he can keep performing consistently as he climbs the ranks—a sign of both physical durability and mental grit.

Validity and Internal Consistency

Strowd’s pitching mechanics hold up from game to game, even when the pressure’s on. He doesn’t change his approach based on the situation, which shows he knows what works for him and sticks to it.

His breaking ball, one of his secondary pitches, has gotten a lot better since college. Scouts now point out that his pitch sequencing is more unpredictable and tougher for hitters, especially as he faces better competition.

Because he stays consistent, coaches trust him in bigger spots. That steadiness helped him go from a 12th-round pick to earning a major league contract.

Prognosis and Future Outlook

Strowd’s future looks bright as he keeps developing at the pro level. Born in 1997, he’s just hitting what should be the best years of his pitching career. His current contract with the Orioles pays $760,000—a first big-league deal, and if he keeps performing, there could be bigger paydays ahead.

Analysts think he could become a dependable middle reliever and maybe even take on high-leverage roles. Of course, keeping his arm healthy and avoiding major injuries will matter a lot.

The Orioles are still investing in his growth, which shows they believe he can contribute going forward. Baltimore’s been focusing on pitching development lately, so Strowd’s arrival on the major league roster comes at a pretty good time for both him and the team.

Comparisons to Peers

When you stack him up against his draft class peers, Strowd has outperformed a lot of pitchers picked in similar rounds.

Among right-handed relievers from the 2019 draft, he’s moved through the minor league system at a steady pace—maybe not jaw-dropping, but definitely solid.

Strowd puts up numbers that look pretty good next to many relievers in the Orioles’ system, especially when it comes to strikeout rate and keeping things under control in high-pressure spots.

He handled International League hitters at Triple-A Norfolk well enough that the team gave him a shot at the major league roster.

Stacked up against established MLB relievers, Strowd still needs to find ways to miss more bats at the top level.

His development path actually reminds me of several relief pitchers who started out as middle-round picks and eventually carved out a role in big league bullpens.

Unlike some of his peers who came from those flashy college programs, the West Virginia product has slowly earned his reputation by just showing up and performing, not because of any prospect hype.