Lars Nootbaar – St. Louis Cardinals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Lars Nootbaar has quickly become a fan favorite for the St. Louis Cardinals. His energetic play and likable personality make him stand out. He brings versatility to the outfield and has steadily boosted his value, both on the field and financially.

Lars Nootbaar currently earns $2,950,000 per year with the St. Louis Cardinals. His estimated net worth sits around $1.68 million based on his career earnings so far.

Nootbaar’s journey to financial success doesn’t stop with his baseball contract. He’s expanded his income through endorsement deals, including a solid partnership with adidas.

That’s a big leap from his earlier contracts, where he made $732,400 in 2023 and $705,200 in 2022 as he built his MLB career.

The California native has shown real growth since the Cardinals picked him. He plays mainly as a center fielder, but he’s got the flexibility to cover the whole outfield.

His increasing salary shows the Cardinals believe in his abilities. They clearly see his potential to become a cornerstone player in the next few years.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Lars Nootbaar’s story starts in Southern California. His mixed heritage and family values shaped him early on.

He showed athletic talent in high school and then refined his skills in college, eventually catching the eyes of MLB scouts.

Family Background

Lars Taylor-Tatsuji Nootbaar grew up in El Segundo, California. His unique name hints at his diverse roots—his dad, Charlie, is Dutch, and his mom, Kumi, is Japanese.

This multicultural background has played a big part in shaping who he is, both on and off the field.

Lars grew up in a sports-loving family. His older brother, Nigel, also played baseball in college.

The family’s competitive but supportive atmosphere fueled Lars’s passion for sports.

The Nootbaars valued both academics and athletics, and Lars carried these values through his development years.

High School and Collegiate Achievements

Nootbaar went to El Segundo High School, where he stood out as a multi-sport athlete. He excelled in both baseball and football, showing off his versatility.

On the baseball field, he impressed as a hitter and fielder.

His high school performance earned him recognition as one of Southern California’s top baseball prospects.

Even while juggling multiple sports, his baseball skills caught the attention of college recruiters.

After graduating, Lars picked the University of Southern California (USC) and committed fully to baseball.

As a Trojan, he kept improving, especially with his hitting and outfield defense.

Over three years at USC, Nootbaar posted better and better stats. His standout junior season really boosted his draft stock.

MLB Draft and Signing

The St. Louis Cardinals picked Lars Nootbaar in the eighth round (243rd overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft.

He wasn’t a first-rounder, but scouts liked his potential as a well-rounded outfielder with a balanced skill set.

After the draft, Nootbaar signed his first pro contract and began his journey through the Cardinals’ minor league system.

His initial signing bonus was modest compared to higher picks, but it marked the start of his pro career.

Nootbaar moved up through the minors pretty quickly for a later-round pick. His baseball IQ, work ethic, and growing power helped him rise faster than many of his draft peers.

Professional Baseball Career

Lars Nootbaar’s path to the majors shows his growth as an outfielder with a mix of power, speed, and defensive skills.

His climb from college to becoming a key player for the Cardinals really highlights his perseverance.

Rise Through the Minor Leagues

After the Cardinals picked him in the 8th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Nootbaar started out in the farm system.

He began with the Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie level), then moved up to the Peoria Chiefs (Single-A).

In 2019, he split time between Single-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield. He kept improving at each level.

Nootbaar’s minor league development stood out for:

• Good plate discipline
• Developing lefty power
• Playing all three outfield spots
• Steady on-base skills

COVID-19 canceled the 2020 minor league season, but Nootbaar kept working at the Cardinals’ alternate training site.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Nootbaar made his MLB debut on June 22, 2021, becoming the first Japanese-American player in Cardinals history.

He played 58 games as a rookie and showed flashes of his potential while adjusting to big league pitching.

He hit his first MLB home run against the Detroit Tigers, announcing himself as a power threat.

Even with limited playing time, Nootbaar showed enough to earn a future spot with the Cardinals.

Early highlights included:

• Clutch pinch-hitting
• Playing all outfield positions
• Patience at the plate
• Growing popularity among fans who loved his unique last name

St. Louis Cardinals Journey

After his rookie year, Nootbaar’s role with the Cardinals grew a lot.

In 2022, he became a reliable outfielder and played alongside guys like Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Carlson, and Jordan Walker.

His offensive approach matured, showing more power and better on-base skills.

Nootbaar’s ability to work counts and draw walks made him valuable near the top of the lineup. He often set the table for power hitters like Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman.

In 2023, Nootbaar signed an endorsement deal with Adidas, raising his profile.

By 2024, he had become a key piece in the Cardinals’ plans, with his salary increasing to $2,950,000 for the season.

His defensive flexibility let manager Oliver Marmol mix and match him with Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson in the outfield, especially when injuries hit players like Tommy Edman.

Notable Achievements and Impact

Lars Nootbaar has made a name for himself in Major League Baseball with his international play and contributions to the Cardinals.

His unique style and personality have made him a fan favorite, and his performance keeps trending upward.

World Baseball Classic Participation

Nootbaar made history as the first non-Japanese player to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He honored his Japanese heritage through his mother.

In 2023, this opportunity launched him to international fame. Japanese fans embraced him with “Noot mania.”

His pepper-grinder celebration turned into a cultural phenomenon in Japan. Fans brought pepper grinders to games, and teammates like Shohei Ohtani joined in during their championship run.

Born into what he calls a “baseball family, a family of athletes,” Nootbaar’s WBC experience helped him connect more deeply with his Japanese roots and showed off his talent to the world.

Influence on the Cardinals Lineup

Nootbaar has become a crucial part of the Cardinals’ offense and defense.

His ability to play all outfield spots and his improving offensive numbers make him more valuable every year.

His 2025 stats show real power—91.5 mph average exit velocity and a 50% hard hit rate.

His barrel percentage is 10.8%, and his wOBA is .347, so he’s clearly becoming a steady offensive threat.

But it’s not just numbers. Nootbaar’s energy and “magnetic personality” have made him a clubhouse leader, even though he’s still early in his MLB career.

His Southern California confidence and laid-back style help him connect with fans and teammates.

The Cardinals have gotten a boost from his 14 home runs, 16 doubles, and 3 triples during his breakout season. He’s established himself as a rising MLB star with a lot of upside.

Contract Details and Salary Progression

Lars Nootbaar’s earnings have jumped since joining the Cardinals. His salary has gone from rookie-level pay to a multi-million dollar deal.

His financial growth really shows how much the team values him.

Initial MLB Contract

Nootbaar started his MLB career with the usual rookie earnings. In 2021, the Cardinals selected his contract and brought him up to the big leagues.

During that first stint, he earned the league minimum as he worked to prove himself.

For 2022, the Cardinals re-signed him for $705,200. That’s just above the minimum, showing the team’s growing belief in him, but he was still under team control as a pre-arbitration player.

He got another bump in 2023 when St. Louis re-signed him for $732,400. That’s a modest increase, but pretty typical for promising young players in their pre-arb years.

Recent Contract Updates

Nootbaar’s financial situation changed a lot for the 2025 season. He signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals for $2.95 million.

That’s a serious raise and shows the team’s commitment to him.

The big salary jump comes as Nootbaar has become a key contributor for the Cardinals. His contract now reflects the leap players usually make when they reach arbitration.

He’s also making more off the field. Nootbaar recently signed a deal with adidas, which adds to his financial portfolio.

According to available info, Nootbaar’s current net worth is about $1,684,787.

Net Worth, Endorsements, and Off-Field Activities

Lars Nootbaar has built up real financial value through his MLB career with the Cardinals. He’s expanded his presence with endorsement deals and community activities.

Earnings and Net Worth Analysis

Nootbaar’s financial portfolio keeps growing. His salary jumped when he signed a 1-year, $2,950,000 contract with the Cardinals—a big step up from his previous annual salary of $732,400.

This contract shows the team’s confidence in him as an outfielder.

Financial tracking puts Nootbaar’s net worth at about $1,684,787, though some sources think it’s even higher as of 2025.

His earnings structure looks like this:

• Base salary: $2,950,000
• Guaranteed money: $2,950,000
• Previous signing bonus: $0

As Nootbaar continues to grow his MLB career, his earning potential is only going up.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Nootbaar has really made the most of his rising profile, landing some smart endorsement deals along the way. Most notably, he signed a lucrative endorsement deal with adidas, which feels like a pretty big milestone in his commercial journey.

This adidas partnership feels like a full-circle moment for Nootbaar. He sometimes talks about how, back when he was a kid, things weren’t always so easy.

In interviews, he’s mentioned how grateful he is to represent major brands now. That’s got to feel rewarding, right?

Nootbaar’s marketing appeal blends his on-field performance with his personality and background. As a Japanese-American player, he brings brands into different markets and reaches all sorts of fans.

Between his MLB salary and these endorsements, Nootbaar has started to build real financial security pretty early in his career.

Community Involvement and Personal Life

Nootbaar really cares about his community, and you can tell he loves giving back. He usually keeps his personal life pretty private, but you’ll often spot him at Cardinals’ community events or helping out with youth baseball programs.

His Japanese-American heritage means a lot to him. As Lars Taylor-Tatsuji Nootbaar, he proudly embraces both cultures, and honestly, he’s become a bit of a role model for Asian-American kids who want to play baseball.

People around him—teammates, coaches, you name it—often talk about his strong work ethic and the good energy he brings to the clubhouse. Even as his fame and bank account grow, he keeps things pretty low-key in public.

He juggles his baseball career with family time and makes an effort to connect with fans, though he does it through social media that he manages pretty carefully.