Keegan Thompson – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Keegan Thompson has carved out a place for himself in Major League Baseball as a versatile pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.

The right-hander has shown he can work both as a starter and from the bullpen since his MLB debut.

Thompson plays for the Chicago Cubs on a one-year, $850,000 deal—his first year of arbitration eligibility. His estimated net worth is around $1.8 million.

In March 2025, the Cubs outrighted him after he had signed the $850,000 contract for the season.

He earned $740,000 in 2023, so his salary has ticked up as he’s gained more experience in the majors.

Thompson’s baseball journey really shows the typical financial path for players working through pre-arbitration and early arbitration.

His current net worth of $1,816,421 comes from his career earnings, plus likely some endorsements and investments.

Fans will probably keep an eye on his contract situation as he tries to reestablish himself with the Cubs.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Keegan Cole Thompson’s path to professional baseball started with strong family support and grew through solid performances in high school and college.

His American upbringing played a big role in shaping his road to the majors.

Family Background and Citizenship

Keegan Cole Thompson was born March 13, 1995, in the United States.

As an American professional baseball pitcher, his citizenship has always been a meaningful part of his identity.

His family encouraged his athletic pursuits early on.

We don’t know much about his parents or siblings, but their support clearly helped drive his commitment to baseball.

He grew up in a place where baseball meant more than just a game—it could be a career and a way to get a college education.

High School and Amateur Career

Thompson attended Cullman High School in Alabama, where he quickly stood out as a pitcher.

His high school career featured strong stats and the development of his signature pitching style.

During these years, his fastball velocity kept climbing, catching the eyes of college scouts and pro teams.

He took part in showcases and tournaments that highlighted his growing skills.

By senior year, Thompson was one of the region’s most respected pitching prospects.

He could command multiple pitches with precision, which made him a standout among his peers.

College Baseball Achievements

Thompson decided to attend Auburn University, where he kept honing his pitching.

At Auburn, he became a key part of the Tigers’ pitching rotation, showing both durability and effectiveness.

He posted impressive stats in college, including a solid ERA and strikeout-to-walk ratio, which showed off his control and ability to dominate.

His performance got him some recognition in the tough Southeastern Conference.

Those college years were crucial—he faced top hitters and learned to adapt his approach on the mound.

That experience set him up for the jump to professional baseball.

His strong showings at Auburn led to his selection in the MLB Draft, and that’s where his pro journey really began.

Professional Baseball Career

Keegan Thompson’s professional baseball path has had its ups and downs since the Cubs drafted him.

He’s spent time in the minors, made appearances in the majors, and recently navigated some contract changes.

Entry into Minor League and Triple-A

Thompson’s pro career started after Auburn, when the Cubs picked him in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

He moved through the Cubs’ minor league system in the usual way.

After signing, Thompson began working his way up through the minor league levels.

His early seasons looked promising—he showed good command and a mix of pitches.

By 2021, he reached Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs, where he kept refining his game.

At Triple-A Iowa, he established himself as a pitcher who could start or relieve.

That flexibility made him a valuable prospect and set him up for a shot at the majors.

Major League Debut and Tenure with Cubs

Thompson made his MLB debut with the Cubs on May 2, 2021—a huge step in his career.

His first appearances showed promise as he bounced between relief and starting roles.

During his time with the Cubs, Thompson worked alongside other pitchers like Tyson Miller in a bullpen that changed a lot.

His ability to fill different roles—starting or pitching in relief—proved valuable.

The 2022 season was probably his best stretch, where he really showed what he could do at the big league level.

He shared the outfield with players like Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong, helping the Cubs’ pitching staff as the team worked through a competitive rebuild.

Trades, Waivers, and Free Agency Moves

Things shifted in early 2025, when the Cubs made a roster move.

In March, they outrighted Thompson, taking him off the 40-man roster after agreeing to an $850,000 deal for his first arbitration year.

This happened after Thompson signed a 1-year, $850,000 contract with the team.

His current salary of $740,000 per year reflects his place in the organization.

After the outright assignment, Thompson probably reported to Triple-A Iowa to keep his contract status.

This move put him in a spot familiar to players who’ve been designated for assignment and have to work their way back to the majors.

Contract Details and Career Earnings

Keegan Thompson’s financial story in MLB shows his growth as a pitcher and the Cubs’ investment in his potential.

His pay has gone up steadily since his debut, but he’s still on the modest end compared to veteran pitchers.

Initial Rookie Contract

Thompson debuted with the Cubs in 2021 after they drafted him in 2017.

When he joined the big league roster, he earned close to the league minimum salary as a rookie.

That’s the standard entry-level deal for prospects who reach the majors.

During these early years, Thompson showed promise as both a starter and reliever, giving the Cubs some much-needed versatility.

The team kept him under control through these seasons, which is normal for young players still proving themselves.

Contract Extensions and Negotiations

Thompson’s rookie season led to a small bump for 2022, when he signed for $706,000.

After showing he could handle both starting and relieving, his salary kept climbing.

For 2023, Thompson got a bump to $740,000.

His ability to pitch in different situations has been valuable to the Cubs.

Most recently, for 2025, Thompson secured a one-year, $850,000 deal.

That’s his highest salary so far in the majors.

Free Agency and DFA Transactions

Thompson hasn’t hit free agency yet.

Players usually need six years of MLB service time to get there, and Thompson isn’t quite there.

The Cubs have kept him around as he’s developed, and he hasn’t been designated for assignment (DFA) until the recent outright.

Right now, he’s still in a pre-arbitration phase, so the team controls his salary until he gets enough service time to enter arbitration, usually after three years.

Fair Value Comparisons with MLB Peers

Compared to other pitchers with similar experience and roles, Thompson’s contracts fall in the expected range.

Relievers with similar service time and numbers usually make somewhere between $700,000 and $900,000.

Contract Value Metrics:

• 2025 salary: $850,000
• Role value: Multi-inning reliever/spot starter
• Service time value: Pre-arbitration

His ability to fill several roles makes him a good value at his current price.

Most relievers with his experience get similar deals, but Thompson’s versatility to start games when needed might add a little extra value.

If he keeps developing and sticks on the roster, his earnings should jump once he’s arbitration-eligible.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Keegan Thompson has built a modest financial portfolio during his time with the Cubs.

He’s earned most of his money from MLB salary, with only a few endorsement or investment opportunities so far.

Salary Progression

Thompson’s MLB earnings have climbed steadily since his debut.

He currently earns $850,000 for 2025, up from $740,000.

His financial path looks like most pre-arbitration MLB players.

His earnings progression:

• Minor leagues (2017-2020): League minimum
• MLB debut season: League minimum
• 2022-2023: Slight increases as he gained service time
• Current contract: $850,000, fully guaranteed

Thompson’s estimated career earnings are still modest compared to veterans, but he’s in a good spot for a bigger payday if he sticks around and reaches arbitration.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Thompson’s endorsement deals are pretty limited at this point.

As a middle reliever, not a high-profile starter, his marketing opportunities have been modest.

He probably has some regional baseball equipment partnerships and does the occasional local Chicago promotion.

Team-related sponsorship appearances might pop up here and there.

These side gigs make up a small slice of his overall income.

He keeps a low-key social media presence, which doesn’t exactly open the door to big digital endorsement deals.

Business Operations and Investments

Thompson’s net worth of about $1.8 million comes from his MLB pay and careful financial management.

Like a lot of players, he probably works with advisors to handle his money.

His investments likely include:

• Conservative portfolio choices for his career stage
• Real estate (probably his main home)
• Retirement accounts and trusts for long-term security

He hasn’t gone public with any business ventures or entrepreneurial projects.

Most players at this point in their career focus on baseball, not outside business.

He’s probably set up some basic estate planning for family, but those details stay private—as they should.

Off-Field Impact and Public Appeal

Keegan Thompson has started to make an impact beyond baseball through community work and advocacy.

His influence is growing, reaching into local tourism efforts and resource management conversations.

Community Involvement and Tourism Engagement

Thompson has really carved out a place for himself in Chicago’s community outreach programs since he joined the Cubs. During the off-season, you’ll often spot him at the Cubs’ annual charity events.

He shows up at the Cubs Convention, which brings in thousands of fans and gives local tourism a nice bump. It’s not just for show either—he seems to genuinely enjoy connecting with the community.

His baseball camps for youth players have caught on in Chicago and back home in Alabama. These camps help young players grow, and honestly, they draw families into town, turning games into little getaways.

Thompson teamed up with the Chicago Parks District to fix up baseball fields in neighborhoods that don’t get much attention. Because his net worth sits at $1.8 million, he’s able to actually fund these projects and make a real difference.

On social media, he stays pretty active, showing off Chicago’s attractions. That kind of thing quietly encourages more people to come visit the city and check out Cubs games.

Public Policy and Resource Management Advocacy

Thompson has stepped up as an unexpected advocate for better baseball facility management. He works directly with Cubs management on water conservation at Wrigley Field, pushing for sustainable practices.

He’s also spoken at public forums about energy efficiency in sports venues. He draws from his college engineering background, which gives his opinions some weight.

In 2024, Thompson testified in front of a Chicago city council committee about bringing renewable energy into sports facilities. This happened while the Cubs were right in the middle of contract extension talks and facility upgrades.

He serves on an MLB players’ committee that focuses on environmental impact. There, he pushes for responsible resource management across all major league stadiums.

Personal Life and Interests

Off the field, Keegan Thompson keeps things pretty balanced. He’s got a handful of hobbies and charitable projects that reflect his roots in Cullman, Alabama.

Hobbies Outside Baseball

Thompson loves the outdoors and spends a lot of his off-season fishing, usually at lakes near his hometown. He picked up the habit as a kid in the South, where fishing meant downtime with family.

When he’s not on the water, you’ll probably find him on the golf course with teammates or friends. Golf’s a go-to for a lot of MLB guys—maybe it’s the mix of competition and a break from baseball’s grind.

He’s also into video games, especially sports sims and action games. In interviews, he’s admitted gaming helps him relax during the long season.

Family’s a big deal for him too. Whenever the Cubs play near Alabama, he brings his relatives out to enjoy the game.

Charitable Work and Causes Supported

Thompson really puts his heart into youth baseball, especially back home in Alabama.

Every off-season, he heads to Cullman to run youth clinics. He focuses on helping young pitchers and teaching the basics of baseball.

Once he made a name for himself with the Cubs, Thompson started supporting children’s hospitals in both Chicago and Alabama.

He often visits these hospitals, bringing signed memorabilia and hanging out with kids who are dealing with tough health issues.

Education is another cause that matters to him. He’s donated to scholarship funds at Auburn University, his alma mater, with an emphasis on helping student-athletes who need financial support.

Thompson usually keeps things pretty quiet when it comes to his philanthropy. He’d rather let his actions do the talking than seek out attention for his good deeds.