Matt Mervis – Miami Marlins Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Matt Mervis has become an intriguing prospect in Major League Baseball since joining the Miami Marlins. Born on April 16, 1998, in Washington, DC, the 27-year-old first baseman has flashed real potential after his journey through the minors and a short stint with the Chicago Cubs. Matt Mervis currently plays under a one-year, $763,000 contract with the Miami Marlins, and his estimated net worth is about $1 million as of 2025.

He went undrafted in the MLB draft but signed with the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 2020, picking up a modest $20,000 signing bonus. Mervis had actually been drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 39th round of the 2016 draft but decided to head to college instead. At 6’4″ and 225 pounds, he brings some serious power to the plate.

The Cubs selected his MLB contract in May 2023, before he eventually landed in Miami. Mervis’s career so far really shows the perseverance you need in pro baseball—he kept grinding even though he wasn’t a big-name prospect. His salary of $763,000 might seem modest by MLB standards, but it’s pretty typical for a developing player still trying to carve out a spot at the top level.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Matt Mervis built up his baseball skills thanks to family support, a balance between school and sports in high school, and some tough college competition that shaped his path to the pros.

Family Background

Matt Mervis was born on April 16, 1998, in Washington, DC. Growing up in the nation’s capital, he got introduced to baseball early on thanks to his family’s love for the game.

His parents always encouraged his athletic pursuits, but they pushed him to focus on school too.

The Mervis family was pretty plugged into the local sports culture, and they went to Washington Nationals games regularly. Those trips definitely fired up Matt’s passion for baseball.

His dad, who played rec baseball, spent a lot of time practicing with Matt in local parks. He taught him the basics of hitting and fielding, which later became some of Matt’s biggest strengths.

High School Achievements

At Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, Mervis quickly made a name for himself as a dual-threat player. He stood out as both a power-hitting first baseman and a solid pitcher, picking up All-Conference honors more than once.

He kept his grades up while dominating on the field. His junior year was especially impressive—he batted over .400 and helped Georgetown Prep win a conference championship.

College scouts took notice of his left-handed swing and steady defense at first base. By his senior year, he was one of the top prospects in the DC area, getting attention from several Division I schools.

College Baseball Development

Mervis decided to play college ball at Duke University, suiting up for the Blue Devils from 2017 to 2020. He turned into a versatile player there, contributing as both a first baseman and a pitcher.

His college career improved a little each season. The adjustment to college pitching wasn’t easy at first, but by his junior year, he was a reliable piece of the lineup in the ACC.

The COVID-19 pandemic cut his senior season short in 2020, which hurt his chances to boost his draft stock. Still, Mervis had already shown enough potential at Duke to get some pro interest, especially with his power from the left side and defensive chops at first base.

Those years in college really helped him go from a raw talent to a more polished ballplayer, ready for the next level.

Professional Baseball Journey

Matt Mervis has carved out his own lane in pro baseball, going from undrafted free agent to a first baseman with big-league experience. His path includes some eye-catching minor league seasons and a well-earned shot in the majors.

Draft and Entry into MLB

Unlike a lot of MLB players, Matt Mervis didn’t get picked in the draft. After his time at Duke University, he signed with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The COVID-shortened draft limited opportunities for a lot of college players that year.

That timing was rough for Mervis, since the minor league season got canceled due to the pandemic. Still, the Cubs liked his left-handed power and gave him a chance to develop.

The Cubs saw his power and swing mechanics as a potential bargain, so they decided to take a shot on him as a low-risk, high-reward addition.

Minor League Progression

Mervis’s minor league career really took off in 2022. He became one of the most productive prospects in all of Minor League Baseball, leading the minors in RBIs and flexing his power at every level.

He moved fast through the Cubs’ farm system:

  • Started at High-A South Bend
  • Got bumped up to Double-A Tennessee
  • Finished strong at Triple-A Iowa

That three-level jump in one season showed how quickly he could adjust and keep producing. Fans started calling him “Mash” Mervis because he just kept launching home runs and extra-base hits.

His numbers made him one of the Cubs’ most hyped prospects, with plenty of folks thinking he could be their answer at first base.

Chicago Cubs Highlights

After tearing it up in the minors, Mervis finally got his shot with the Cubs. Fans were excited to see if his power would translate to the majors.

He showed off his pop during spring training, with his left-handed swing producing some loud contact. Like a lot of power hitters, though, he had to work on consistency at the MLB level.

The Cubs gave him a look at first base to see if he could stick. He had some bright spots and some growing pains, and eventually, the team traded him to the Miami Marlins for utility player Vidal Brujan.

Notable Plate Appearances

Throughout his pro career, Mervis has shown off the kind of power that makes you stop and watch his at-bats. His approach usually includes:

  • Patience against righties
  • Power to every field, but especially to the pull side
  • The ability to crush breaking balls when he’s ahead in the count

He’s hit several home runs in both the minors and majors that have gone well over 400 feet, which just confirms his raw strength. He tends to shine against pitchers who try to challenge him with fastballs.

During his time with the Cubs, he often came through in big spots with runners on. His current contract with the Miami Marlins for 2025 is worth about $763,000, which is the standard pre-arbitration salary as he keeps working to establish himself in the majors.

Contract Details and Compensation

Matt Mervis’s pro baseball journey has brought him steady financial growth as he finds his place in the big leagues. His contract reflects both his development and the usual progression for young MLB players.

Current MLB Contract

As of May 2025, Matt Mervis is playing under a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins. Before this, he played for the Cubs, who selected his contract on May 5, 2023. His current deal fits the standard for pre-arbitration MLB players.

The contract gives him the league-minimum salary and lets the Marlins keep team control for a few more years. That’s pretty typical for guys just starting out who haven’t hit arbitration yet.

During 2025 spring training, Mervis played well enough to keep his spot on the Marlins’ active roster.

Salary Growth Over the Years

Mervis’s pay has grown slowly but steadily since he turned pro. He signed with the Cubs out of Duke on June 15, 2020, for a $20,000 bonus.

He worked his way through the minors on a typical minor league salary before reaching the MLB minimum when he debuted with the Cubs in 2023. His earnings have followed the standard MLB salary structure:

Year Team Status Approximate Earnings
2020 Cubs Amateur Signing $20,000 bonus
2021-22 Cubs Minor Leagues Minor league salary
2023 Cubs MLB Debut MLB minimum
2024-25 Marlins Pre-arbitration MLB minimum with increases

Free Agency Considerations

Mervis still has a few years to go before he’s eligible for free agency under MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. Most players need six full years of service time before they can test the market.

That gives the Marlins a valuable window of team control, letting them develop Mervis and keep payroll manageable. They’ll be watching his performance closely in 2025 to see if he’s a long-term fit.

If Mervis keeps improving, the Marlins could try to lock him up with an early extension that covers his arbitration years and maybe a season or two of free agency. Teams have started doing this more often with promising young players.

The Cubs moving on from Mervis just shows how business-driven baseball can be—teams are always weighing talent against roster needs and organizational depth.

Net Worth and Financial Insights

Matt Mervis has started to build a modest financial foundation since turning pro, with his MLB contract as the main source of his wealth, plus some possible endorsement money.

Estimated Net Worth in 2025

By 2025, Matt Mervis’s net worth is estimated at $1 million. That figure adds up his career earnings and any investments since he signed with the Cubs.

Most of his income comes from his baseball salary. He now plays for the Miami Marlins after being traded from the Chicago Cubs in a deal that included cash considerations. His contract is currently worth $763,000 for one year.

For the 2025 season, that puts him at the lower end of MLB salaries, which is totally normal for younger players. If he manages to lock down a starting job and puts up solid numbers, his net worth could jump quite a bit.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Mervis hasn’t landed any major national endorsements yet, but his marketing potential is there as he gets more established in the majors. Local Miami businesses have shown some interest in partnering with him as he becomes more visible in South Florida.

Baseball equipment companies often offer smaller deals to up-and-coming players, so Mervis probably has arrangements for things like batting gloves, cleats, and a first baseman’s mitt. These deals usually just provide gear, not big paychecks, at this stage of a player’s career.

There have been reports that Mervis stays active in community events, which could open doors to charitable partnerships that boost his public image. His reps seem to be careful about endorsements, focusing on building his brand as his on-field performance grows.

Impact and Presence in Major League Baseball

Matt Mervis has managed to carve out a spot for himself in MLB since joining the Miami Marlins. He brings power at the plate and some solid defensive chops at first base, making him a presence you just can’t ignore.

His journey’s had its fair share of ups and downs, though. There’ve been some big moments, but also times when things just didn’t go his way.

Reputation Among Peers

Around the league, folks respect Mervis for his work ethic and the power he brings. When the Cubs named him Minor League Player of the Year in 2022, his reputation really took off.

That year, he put up a wild .984 OPS, smashed 36 home runs, and drove in 119 runs across three minor league levels. Not too shabby.

Teams like the Yankees and Guardians have definitely noticed his lefty power. In today’s game, that’s still a big deal.

He reminds some people of power bats like Kyle Schwarber, though he brings his own style to the plate. He’s not just a copycat.

Veterans on the Marlins have pointed out how quickly he adapted after the trade from Chicago. He’s not in the same conversation as the elite first basemen—think Vladimir Guerrero Jr.—but he keeps making progress.

Comparisons With Contemporary Players

Mervis’s skill set puts him in a pretty interesting spot among today’s first basemen. He’s 6’1″ and 210 pounds, which lines up with some of the league’s best power hitters.

That left-handed swing of his has even drawn a few comparisons to guys like Kyle Tucker. He doesn’t offer the same defensive flexibility, but the power’s there.

He’s not a dual-threat like Shohei Ohtani or Fernando Tatis Jr.—let’s be honest, few are. Mervis looks more like your classic first baseman, sometimes filling in at DH.

When he faces AL East teams, especially the Blue Jays and Red Sox, he’s flashed the power that got everyone’s attention in the minors. His approach just isn’t like contact hitters such as Rafael Devers; he’s all about hard contact and power.

The Dodgers and Padres have tried to slow him down with defensive shifts. They know he likes to pull the ball, and they’re not shy about playing the odds.

Potential for Retirement and Future Plans

At just 27 years old (born April 16, 1998), Mervis is still in the early days of his MLB career. It feels way too soon to even talk about retirement.

Right now, his one-year, $763,000 contract with the Marlins gives him a bit of breathing room to prove himself.

Some folks in the industry think Mervis could turn into a reliable contributor over the next few years, assuming he keeps working on his approach. He’s not like those older veterans eyeing the Rockies or Diamondbacks just to squeeze out a few more good seasons in a hitter-friendly park.

Mervis seems focused on building consistency, not chasing short-term stat boosts.

His career path might end up looking a lot like some late-blooming first basemen who finally found their groove after switching teams. He’s not exactly on the same path as guys like Juan Soto, who land massive contracts, but Mervis’s power gives him real upside as he keeps grinding at the major league level.

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