Niko Kavadas – Los Angeles Angels Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Niko Kavadas grew up in South Bend, Indiana, swinging from the left side and dreaming big. The Boston Red Sox picked him up in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, and he’s been turning heads ever since.

After years of grinding, Kavadas finally made it to the majors on August 16, 2024. That call-up felt like a dream come true. He now suits up for the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year deal worth $760,000—his first big-league contract.

Though he’s still new to the majors, Kavadas has already started building his financial base. His net worth sits at about $250,000, and odds are good that number climbs if his career keeps trending up.

At 26 years old (born October 27, 1998), and standing a solid six feet tall, he’s got time to make his mark as a big-league bat.

Kavadas smashed his way through the minors, showing off serious power and earning a shot with Boston. But things took a turn when the Red Sox traded him to the Angels. Now he’s trying to carve out his place in the majors as a hitter with something to prove.

Early Life and Background

Niko’s baseball story starts in the Midwest, where family, community, and a lot of hard work shaped him into the player he is today.

His early years gave him the foundation for that powerful swing and relentless drive.

Hometown and Family

Nikolos Siade Kavadas was born on October 27, 1998 in South Bend, Indiana. He got hooked on baseball young, surrounded by a family that cheered him on from the start.

His parents showed up for games and put in the time to help him chase his baseball dreams.

Unlike some athletes who move around a lot, Kavadas enjoyed the stability of growing up in South Bend. The city’s strong baseball culture helped him hone his skills in local leagues and school teams.

His folks noticed his talent early and doubled down, investing time and energy into his baseball path.

High School Achievements

Kavadas starred at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, just down the road. He dominated the local scene with a left-handed swing that turned heads and solid defense at first base.

He racked up all-conference and all-state honors during his high school run. Scouts took note of his high batting average and power numbers.

He didn’t slack off in the classroom either, keeping up his grades and showing the discipline that would serve him well at Notre Dame.

Coaches often praised his work ethic and baseball IQ—traits that made him stand out.

Influences and Inspirations

Kavadas spent his early years studying the swings of pro power hitters, looking for ways to beef up his own approach. He especially admired lefties who could hit for power and consistency.

Local coaches and mentors played a big part in shaping his game. They helped him channel that raw power into a more refined, disciplined swing.

The Notre Dame baseball program loomed large in his hometown, motivating him to work even harder. He set his sights on playing for the Fighting Irish, and eventually, he did just that.

Amateur Career and Development

Before turning pro, Kavadas built a reputation as a slugger with serious upside. His college years really shaped him into the hitter scouts noticed.

Notre Dame Years

From 2018 to 2021, Kavadas played for Notre Dame and became one of the most feared power hitters in college baseball. Sticking close to home, he quickly became a fan favorite.

The 2020 season got cut short by COVID, but Kavadas still managed to hit .255 with 7 homers in just 13 games. Even with the chaos, scouts couldn’t ignore his power.

He came back strong in 2021, boosting his draft stock with a monster senior season. That year, he was one of college baseball’s top power threats.

Collegiate Performance Stats

During his Notre Dame career, Kavadas put up some eye-popping numbers:

Career Stats at Notre Dame:

• Games: 173
• Batting Average: .285
• Home Runs: 46
• RBIs: 158
• OPS: Over .950

His senior year was his best:

• Batting Average: .302
• Home Runs: 22 (a school record)
• RBIs: 64
• Walks: 50
• Slugging Percentage: .727

Scouts loved his plate discipline and knack for drawing walks—rare for a power hitter. His lefty swing made him intriguing, even if defense wasn’t his calling card.

Draft and Signing Details

Kavadas entered the 2020 draft ranked No. 169, mostly for his left-handed power. Because of the pandemic, the draft only had five rounds, and he didn’t get picked.

In 2021, the Boston Red Sox grabbed him in the 11th round (316th overall). Even though he went later, Boston saw the upside and signed him for above-slot money.

That signing felt like a huge win for Kavadas. He’d gone from undrafted to a legit prospect in just a year, thanks to hard work and a big senior season.

Professional Career Overview

Since leaving Notre Dame, Kavadas has bounced through the minors, showing off his power but also dealing with strikeouts and questions about his defense.

Minor League Progression

Kavadas kicked off his pro career with the Boston Red Sox after the draft. He started in Low-A and moved up the ranks, always flashing that big power.

By 2023, the pitching got tougher, and his strikeout rate climbed. Still, he kept drawing walks, proving his eye at the plate.

He reached Triple-A, where his bat kept scouts interested, but he mostly stuck to first base and DH because of defensive limitations.

Notable Performances

Kavadas has had some big games in the minors, including several multi-homer nights. That college power definitely carried over.

He once hit 5 home runs in a 7-game stretch at Double-A, earning player of the week honors in the organization.

Even with the strikeouts, he’s kept an impressive on-base percentage by working walks. That combo of patience and pop has kept teams interested.

His lefty swing has always played well against right-handers.

Injury History and Recovery

Injuries have slowed Kavadas at times. He needed shoulder surgery that cost him a chunk of a season and set back his development.

He worked with the medical staff to regain his strength and rebuild his swing.

A few other minor injuries sent him to the IL, but the shoulder was the toughest.

After surgery, Kavadas struggled to find his power again. Over time, though, he rebuilt his swing and started hitting home runs like before.

Major League Opportunities

The Los Angeles Angels gave Kavadas his first shot in the majors, signing him to a $760,000 contract after he cleared waivers from his old team.

With the Angels, he’s mostly been a DH, with the occasional start at first base. Adjusting to big-league pitching hasn’t been easy.

The Angels seem willing to be patient, betting on his power potential while helping him cut down on strikeouts.

He’s also working on his defense, hoping to add value beyond the bat.

If he can keep his plate discipline and tap into that power, he might just stick around.

Niko Kavadas Contract and Transactions

Kavadas has already seen a few contract changes and team moves since going pro. His journey has included salary bumps and fresh starts with new organizations.

Initial Signing and Bonuses

After the Red Sox drafted him in 2021, Kavadas signed for a typical 11th-round bonus—not huge, but respectable for a college slugger.

He started out in the minors, making standard minor league wages and working through Boston’s system.

His first contract gave the Red Sox several years of team control, which is standard for drafted players.

Team Transitions and Waivers

Kavadas’s career shifted when he moved from the Red Sox to the Los Angeles Angels. That move changed his path and his paycheck.

The Angels picked up his contract from Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on July 31, 2024, calling him up to the majors. That promotion bumped him up to the MLB minimum salary.

Before the Angels, he spent some time in their minor league system after leaving Boston. He changed teams through a trade or waiver claim, but it didn’t make big headlines.

Switching organizations gave him a new shot and reset his service time with the Angels.

Contract Extensions and Terms

Right now, Kavadas is on a one-year $760,000 contract with the Angels, all guaranteed. That’s basically the minimum for a new big-leaguer.

He’s listed as “Pre-Arb Eligible” with just 0.045 years of service time as of January 2025. The Angels control his contract for a few more years before he can hit arbitration.

Unless he signs a long-term deal, his salary will only go up a little each year until he reaches three years of service.

His net worth is around $250,000, reflecting his short time in the majors so far. If he sticks and performs, those numbers could jump in future deals.

Net Worth, Earnings, and Endorsements

Kavadas has started building his financial future since turning pro, mainly through his MLB contract and minor league paychecks. Right now, his net worth lines up with where he’s at—a young player just getting started in the big leagues.

Salary Breakdown

Niko Kavadas signed a one-year contract worth $760,000 with the Los Angeles Angels.

This marks his first major league contract after getting called up to the MLB.

He gets $760,000 guaranteed, which actually sits a bit above the league minimum for rookies.

Before making it to the majors, Kavadas earned way less in the minors.

The Boston Red Sox picked him in the 11th round (316th overall) back in 2021, so his minor league salary probably hovered somewhere between $40,000 and $90,000, depending on where he played.

Now that he’s in the MLB, his salary lines up with most rookies.

Still, it’s nowhere near what veterans or the league average pull in.

Sponsorships and Partnerships

So far, Kavadas hasn’t landed any big endorsement deals.

That’s pretty normal for guys just starting out in the league.

Most rookies focus on proving themselves before chasing big sponsorships.

Since he’s a Notre Dame alum from South Bend, he might have a shot at some local endorsements—maybe with brands tied to his college or hometown.

A lot of athletes get their first sponsorships through college connections.

If Kavadas keeps showing off his power at the plate, companies like Louisville Slugger, Rawlings, or Wilson could come knocking.

Those partnerships usually go to players who make a name for themselves, so we’ll see.

Career Financial Overview

Right now, Kavadas’ net worth sits at about $250,000, mostly from his baseball earnings.

He made his MLB debut on August 16, 2024, so it’s early days for his career.

How much he makes going forward depends a lot on his performance.

If he sticks around as a regular, his salary could jump through arbitration or free agency.

Players drafted around his spot who break through often see their paychecks explode in their late 20s.

Kavadas isn’t close to the kind of money stars from teams like Chelsea or Barcelona make, but if he locks down a spot in MLB, the potential is there.

Personal Life and Off-Field Activities

Off the field, Niko Kavadas tries to keep things balanced.

He mixes community service, personal hobbies, and a growing public profile.

His South Bend roots still shape his values and what he does away from baseball.

Community Involvement

Kavadas really gives back to his hometown in South Bend, Indiana.

After the Red Sox drafted him in 2021, he started a youth baseball clinic that offers free training to kids who might not otherwise get the chance.

The event draws over 100 kids each year.

He also raises money for cancer research, inspired by a family member’s fight with the disease.

In 2023, while with the Red Sox, he worked with the Jimmy Fund and brought in almost $15,000 through a home run pledge campaign.

Now that he’s with the Los Angeles Angels, Kavadas has jumped into Southern California community work.

He’s joined the team’s hospital visits and helps out with food drives during the off-season.

Interests and Hobbies

When he’s not on the field, Kavadas likes to keep things interesting.

He’s an outdoors guy and loves fishing trips in the off-season.

You can usually spot his catches on social media.

Back at Notre Dame, he got into cooking, especially Mediterranean food.

His family’s heritage plays a big role there—his grandfather came to America from Portugal in the 1960s and passed down some classic recipes.

Kavadas still makes those dishes today.

He’s also a bit of a film buff.

He looks up to John Cena for how he went from wrestling to acting, seeing that as a model for athletes building a brand.

Plus, he likes strategy board games and says chess is his go-to for pre-game mental prep.

Is that quirky? Maybe, but it seems to work for him.

Media and Public Image

Kavadas keeps a modest but steadily growing social media presence. He connects with fans by sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of his baseball life.

His Instagram, which has about 25,000 followers, shows off his training routines and family moments. You’ll find a mix of workouts and snapshots from home.

Sports analysts often praise the way he engages with the public. Instead of relying on a management team, Kavadas usually runs his own social media, which definitely adds to his reputation for authenticity.

He doesn’t talk much about politics. Still, he’s shown support for environmental initiatives promoted by politicians like AOC, though he never outright endorses specific policies.

This careful approach lets him support causes he cares about without stirring up controversy. Fans and followers seem to respect that.

The first baseman’s $760,000 contract with the Angels has brought him more attention since his MLB debut in August 2024.