Pedro Avila – Cleveland Guardians Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Pedro Avila has carved out a pretty intriguing path in professional baseball. Born on January 14, 1997, in Caracas, Venezuela, this talented pitcher moved from the San Diego Padres to the Cleveland Guardians organization.

By 2024, Pedro Avila earns $720,000 a year, and his net worth sits around $435,260. That makes him a valuable yet affordable player for his team—kind of a win-win, honestly.

Avila’s baseball journey really shows his grit and ongoing skill development. After debuting in the MLB on April 11, 2019, with the Padres, his career took a few unexpected turns.

San Diego designated him for assignment in April 2024, and he soon landed with the Cleveland Guardians. Lately, reports suggest he might be with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball, which just goes to show how international his career’s become.

This Venezuelan pitcher brings a unique edge to the mound, blending Latin American pitching flair with MLB training. As one of the professional baseball pitchers representing his home country, Avila keeps honing his skills and adapting to new teams and leagues.

His contract situation seems worth watching as he tries to cement himself as a reliable pitcher at the sport’s highest level.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Pedro Avila’s road to professional baseball started in Caracas, Venezuela, where he found his love for the game early on. His family and upbringing played a huge part in shaping his baseball dreams.

Childhood and Family Background

Pedro Avila was born on January 14, 1997, in Caracas—a city that lives and breathes baseball. Growing up in Venezuela’s capital, Avila soaked in the country’s rich baseball culture from day one.

His childhood in Caracas shaped what he wanted out of life. For him, baseball was more than just a pastime; it meant hope and ambition.

His parents have stayed mostly out of the spotlight, but it’s clear they supported his athletic journey from the start.

Venezuela’s tough economic and social climate during Avila’s youth probably made him even more determined to succeed in baseball. After all, for many Venezuelan kids, the sport is a ticket to a brighter future.

Initial Interest in Baseball

Like a lot of Venezuelan boys, Avila sharpened his baseball skills in local leagues and pickup games around the neighborhood. Caracas has produced plenty of major league talents, so young players there really get to see what’s possible if they stick with it.

Avila’s talent for pitching stood out early. He had a strong arm and good control, even as a kid.

Chances are, he looked up to Venezuelan pitching stars like Félix Hernández and Johan Santana. Those guys set the standard.

By his early teens, scouts and baseball academies were already noticing his potential. As a right-handed pitcher, he showed off impressive velocity and pitch movement for his age.

Amateur and Minor League Development

Avila signed as an international free agent, which kicked off his professional journey. He entered organized baseball’s development pipeline and started refining his pitching arsenal right away.

His time in the minors was all about building stamina and learning how to face pro-level hitters. According to his player statistics, Avila broke into the MLB on April 11, 2019, with the San Diego Padres at just 22.

He spent those early years in the minors working on pitch command and adding secondary pitches to go with his fastball. That development phase turned him from a raw talent into a pitcher ready to face MLB hitters.

His ERA bounced around as he adjusted to tougher competition, but his potential kept him moving up. Eventually, he earned his shot at the big leagues.

Professional Career Journey

Pedro Avila’s run through pro baseball has taken persistence and a knack for adapting. He’s played for several organizations and made a major shift into bullpen roles, where he’s really started to shine.

Debut and Early Years

Pedro Avila kicked off his pro career with the Washington Nationals after signing as an international free agent at 17. He got his start in the Dominican Summer League, and his command stood out right away.

His big break came in 2019 when he debuted in the MLB with the San Diego Padres, starting a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Avila looked cool under pressure, striking out five batters in 5.1 innings.

He leaned on a four-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. That versatility let him work as both a starter and reliever early in his career.

Teams and Trades

Avila’s career has seen its share of moves. The Nationals signed him first, but they traded him to the San Diego Padres in December 2016 in a deal for Derek Norris.

He bounced between the minors and majors with San Diego before joining the Cleveland organization ahead of the 2024 season. The Guardians’ coaching staff really helped him refine his approach.

In February 2025, Avila took a big step and signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball. That move followed a solid 2024 with Cleveland, where he posted a 3.25 ERA over 74⅔ innings.

Role in the Bullpen

Avila’s full-time switch to the bullpen with the Guardians in 2024 was a game-changer. As a reliever, his velocity jumped, and his breaking stuff got sharper in shorter bursts.

He worked alongside experienced relievers like Paul Sewald and learned how to handle high-pressure situations. Avila especially excelled in multi-inning relief, bridging the gap between starters and late-inning guys.

Three things fueled his bullpen success:

• His fastball velocity climbed to 94-95 mph.
• He started using his slider more effectively to get outs.
• His mental approach improved under pressure.

With Cleveland, Avila became a reliable middle reliever and sometimes filled in as a setup man when needed.

Significant Postseason Contributions

Even though his MLB career hasn’t been super long, Avila made a real impact during the Guardians’ 2024 playoff run. He showed he could handle the heat in the ALDS against the Yankees.

In Game 3, with Cleveland facing elimination, Avila threw 2⅓ scoreless innings out of the pen and struck out four—including Aaron Judge in a key spot. That performance kept Cleveland alive.

His slider was especially nasty in the postseason, drawing a 42% whiff rate against right-handed hitters. Manager Stephen Vogt praised Avila’s poise, saying, “Pedro doesn’t flinch in big moments. That’s something you can’t teach.”

The Guardians didn’t make it to the World Series, but Avila’s playoff showing definitely raised his stock. That probably helped spark interest from Japan’s Yakult Swallows, where he’s now continuing his career.

Contract Details and Transactions

Pedro Avila’s baseball career has involved plenty of contract changes, from minor league deals to major league opportunities. Team moves and financial shifts have tracked his growing value in the game.

Initial Signing and Minor League Contracts

Avila started out in the Washington Nationals organization before getting traded to the Padres. His first contracts were standard minor league deals, giving him a shot to develop and work his way up.

Those early contracts came with modest pay and some incentives for moving up the ladder. As Avila climbed through the system, his contract terms improved, reflecting his growth as a pitching prospect.

The Padres kept him around for several years, betting on his potential. That stretch laid the groundwork for his pro career.

Major League Contracts and Free Agency

Avila got his first major league contract with the Padres, signing for $746,600 for the 2024 season. That pre-arbitration deal marked a big step up in earnings.

Things got busier in 2024 when the Padres designated him for assignment on April 12. They traded him to the Cleveland Guardians for cash, which turned out to be a key move.

By January 2025, the Guardians outrighted him to Triple-A Columbus, taking him off their 40-man roster. Avila then chose free agency, opening up new options.

Arbitration and Roster Spot Decisions

Avila hasn’t hit salary arbitration yet, but that’s a big milestone for any player’s future earnings. Usually, players qualify after three years of MLB service time, so that’s something to watch on his horizon.

His net worth of $435,260 reflects what he’s earned so far, including his major league salary of about $720,000. It’s a pretty honest snapshot of what early-career MLB players actually make.

Roster decisions have played a big part in his contract status. Both the Padres and Guardians faced tough calls about keeping him on the 40-man roster, which eventually led to his free agency. It’s just part of the tricky economics pitchers face as they try to stick in the majors.

Performance Metrics and Playing Style

Pedro Avila’s style on the mound is all about mixing things up and staying tactical. His performance numbers show both his strengths and areas where he still needs to grow.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Avila has a surprisingly deep six-pitch mix, which makes him a tough read for hitters. He leans on his Four-Seam Fastball (39.0%) as his main weapon, then follows up with a changeup (22.0%) that keeps hitters guessing.

His breaking ball game is pretty solid. The Curveball (16.1%) gives him vertical movement, and he’ll mix in a Sinker (12.5%), Slider (6.8%), and Sweeper (3.7%) for good measure.

That pitch variety lets Avila attack hitters in different ways depending on the matchup. He’s great at changing speeds and eye levels, though he’s still working on keeping his command sharp every outing.

Statistical Highlights

Avila’s stats show the ups and downs you’d expect from a developing pitcher facing big-league hitters. With the Padres, he’s had flashes—especially when he leans on his off-speed stuff.

His strikeout numbers look promising. That changeup, in particular, gets plenty of swings and misses. During a solid stretch in 2023, Avila put up an 8.4 K/9 rate.

He’s had more trouble with contact management. When his command slips, hitters can take advantage, so his ERA has bounced around. Advanced stats, though, suggest his raw stuff is better than some of the traditional numbers show.

For 2023 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball, Avila mostly showed up as a streaming option in deeper leagues—not quite a set-it-and-forget-it guy, but definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Walk Rate Analysis

Avila’s walk rate stands out as the biggest area he needs to improve in his stat line.

Sometimes, control issues have derailed what could’ve been solid outings. His BB/9 has crept above league average more than once.

He tends to walk more hitters when he tries to get too precise with his breaking stuff, especially his curveball and slider.

That habit bumps up his pitch count and sometimes gets him pulled earlier than he’d like.

During 2023 spring training, Avila showed better command, which sparked some hope that he could rein in those walks.

His delivery looks pretty sound mechanically, so the control hiccups probably come from his approach rather than anything physical.

If Avila can cut down on the free passes, his pitch mix could play up a lot better against big league hitters.

Net Worth, Investments, and Off-Field Impact

Pedro Avila has put together a modest financial portfolio so far in his baseball career.

His financial situation reflects his journey as a developing player, with most of his assets tied to his contract earnings.

Estimated Net Worth

Pedro Avila’s net worth currently sits around $435,260.

That number comes from his professional baseball salary and any other income he might have picked up along the way.

His main source of income is his baseball salary, which is $720,000 annually.

Unlike some of the sport’s big names, Avila doesn’t get a signing bonus, so his earnings are pretty straightforward.

He’s still working his way up in Major League Baseball, so his net worth is on the lower side compared to veterans who’ve landed big contracts and endorsement deals.

As his career moves forward, that could change if he lands more lucrative deals.

Investments and Business Ventures

Avila keeps things pretty quiet when it comes to investments or business interests.

He hasn’t jumped into the entrepreneurial world the way some athletes do, at least not publicly.

A lot of baseball players invest in things like real estate or tech startups, but there’s not much out there about what Avila does with his money.

Honestly, that’s not unusual—plenty of athletes just prefer to keep their finances private.

Most pros work with financial advisors to plan for life after baseball, but we don’t know much about Avila’s approach.

Community Involvement and Philanthropy

Avila hasn’t made a lot of noise about charity work or community outreach.

Some athletes set up foundations or get involved in local programs, but there’s not much public info about his specific efforts.

Baseball players often give back through youth programs, hospital visits, or by supporting causes they care about.

Their influence can go beyond just money, especially for young fans and communities with ties to Latin American players.

Facilities and Operations

Avila, like a lot of MLB players, gets to use the top-notch training facilities and operational support his team offers. These resources really shape how a player grows and performs.

Major league teams pour a lot of money into training complexes, medical centers, and all sorts of player development programs. They want players like Avila to stay in peak shape and keep getting better as the season rolls on.

Teams usually give players access to the latest equipment, nutritionists, physical therapists, and coaches with specialized skills. Honestly, it’s a huge commitment from the organization, all aimed at helping players succeed and stick around longer in their careers.