Taj Bradley – Tampa Bay Rays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Taj Bradley has quickly become one of baseball’s most exciting young pitchers since joining the Tampa Bay Rays. Born March 20, 2001, in Los Angeles, California, he went in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Right now, Bradley earns $774,200 for the 2025 season with the Rays. His net worth sits at about $1,312,666.

Bradley kicked off his professional career with a $747,500 signing bonus after Tampa Bay drafted him. He’s currently pre-arbitration eligible, and as of January 2025, he’s logged 1.114 years of service time.

So, the Rays keep him under team control for a bargain compared to what he could be worth as he keeps improving.

Tampa Bay picked up his contract in November 2022, and since then, Bradley’s career has moved fast. The Rays have a knack for spotting and developing young talent, and Bradley fits right into that story.

As he cements his spot in the majors, his contract value could jump a lot once he hits arbitration.

Early Life and Background

Taj Bradley started his journey to pro baseball in Los Angeles, California, where he was born in 2001. Even as a kid, he showed a knack for pitching that eventually led him to the Tampa Bay Rays and a shot at the big leagues.

Family and Upbringing

Bradley grew up in Los Angeles and found his love for baseball early on. He keeps most details about his family private, but it’s clear their support made a difference in his development.

Eventually, he and his family moved to the Atlanta area. He attended Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Moving to Georgia turned out to be a big deal for his baseball career. He got more chances to compete and show off his pitching skills.

Bradley spent his teenage years putting in long hours of practice and building a reputation as a top pitching prospect.

His family made sacrifices—traveling for tournaments and investing in training and gear—to help him chase his dream.

High School Baseball Achievements

At Redan High School, Bradley really stood out as an elite pitching prospect. His stats caught the attention of MLB scouts all over the country.

With a powerful fastball and improving secondary pitches, he separated himself from his peers. People started calling him one of Georgia’s top high school pitching prospects for the 2018 MLB Draft.

Colleges wanted him, but his draft stock kept climbing during his senior year. By the end, the Tampa Bay Rays took him in the fifth round, 150th overall.

Getting drafted straight out of high school showed the Rays really believed in his raw ability and upside.

Notable Early Career Moments

Bradley jumped into pro ball right after high school, signing with the Rays for a $747,500 bonus. That’s way above the $343,600 slot value, which says a lot about what the Rays thought of him.

His early minor league outings had their ups and downs—pretty normal for young pitchers. As he grew and worked with the Rays’ development staff, his velocity ticked up and his command got sharper.

By 20, Bradley had already become one of the Rays’ most exciting pitching prospects. He moved quickly through the minors thanks to his skills and work ethic.

In November 2022, the Rays added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. That move showed they had big plans for him.

Professional Baseball Career

Bradley’s path from high school standout to major league pitcher really shows how quickly he’s developed with the Rays. He’s got a powerful arsenal and impressive control, which helped him climb the minor league ladder and become one of baseball’s top young arms.

Draft and Signing with the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays picked Taj Bradley in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Redan High School. He was just 17 when he signed a bonus of $747,500, well above the $343,600 slot value.

That big investment showed the Rays believed in his potential from day one. Even though he wasn’t one of the absolute top-ranked high school pitchers, the Rays saw something special.

Bradley started his pro journey with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League team. Those early games laid the foundation for his rise in one of baseball’s best development systems.

Minor League Development

Bradley’s time in the minors really reflected the Rays’ patient approach. He started off slow in rookie ball, but in 2021, he broke out—dominating two levels of A-ball with an ERA under 2.00 and earning a spot as a top prospect.

By 2022, he pitched for Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, wowing scouts with a mid-90s fastball and better secondary pitches. He quickly became the Rays’ top pitching prospect.

The Rays managed his innings and development carefully, always focusing on refining his pitch mix and command. That methodical style has helped them develop good pitchers even with a smaller payroll.

MLB Debut and Impact

Bradley debuted in the majors with the Rays in 2023, and he wasted no time showing why the team valued him so much. He brought poise and electric stuff to the mound right away.

He’s now a regular in the Rays’ rotation. He’s playing on a $774,200 contract for 2025, which reflects his pre-arbitration status. His net worth is about $1.31 million.

Bradley’s impact goes beyond the numbers. Fans come out to see him pitch, hoping to watch a homegrown star in action. His energy and confidence on the mound have made him a favorite and a key part of the Rays’ plans.

Contract Details and Salary

Bradley’s pro journey has included a carefully managed financial path, from his draft deal to his current big league contract. His earnings so far reflect his status as a rising prospect and growing value to the Rays.

Initial Contract Terms

Bradley entered pro baseball after the Rays picked him in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Out of Redan High School, he signed for a hefty $747,500 bonus, nearly double his slot value.

That signing bonus showed the Rays were serious about his future. They valued his arm enough to pay way above slot and bring him into their system.

His minor league contract included the usual rookie terms as he moved up the ranks. The deal stayed team-friendly during his development years.

Current Salary and Earnings

By 2025, Bradley is making a base salary of $720,000 with the Rays. Tampa Bay picked up his contract on November 13, 2022, putting him on the major league minimum.

Because he’s still pre-arbitration, the Rays control his salary for now, even as he becomes more important to the rotation. His pay is still on the lower side for MLB, but that’s typical for someone at his stage.

His current net worth is about $1,312,666, counting his career earnings and signing bonus. Once he hits arbitration, that number could climb fast.

Bonuses and Incentives

Bradley’s contract has the usual performance incentives for young pitchers—things like All-Star nods, awards, or reaching certain innings.

The Rays set up his incentives to encourage development and protect their investment. Unlike established stars, his bonuses are more about milestones than raw stats.

During the offseason, Bradley can earn more through team workouts and approved training programs. The Rays often put extra resources into their top young arms.

Looking ahead, Bradley’s biggest financial upside comes from his future. If he keeps getting better, arbitration and free agency could bring huge paydays.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Bradley’s financial portfolio is still modest but growing, which makes sense for a young pitcher just starting to make his mark in MLB.

Sources of Income

Bradley’s main income comes from his baseball salary. He’s currently earning $774,200 a year with the Rays, which is pretty standard for a promising player who hasn’t reached arbitration.

After the Rays drafted him in 2018, he got a $747,500 signing bonus, well above his draft slot. The team clearly had high hopes.

Unlike veterans, Bradley’s income mostly comes from:

• MLB salary
• Signing bonus
• Possible minor league salary if he’s sent down
• A few endorsement deals, though those are rare for young players

Assets and Investments

Bradley’s net worth is around $1,312,666, but these numbers can vary depending on the source. As a young player, he’s likely still building his asset base.

Most rookies focus on basics:

• Buying a home
• Saving for emergencies
• Starting retirement accounts

Bradley probably spends some of his offseason investing in training, nutrition, and recovery—anything to keep his game sharp. Unlike big-name veterans, young players often put a lot back into their own development.

Potential Future Earnings

Bradley’s potential earnings look huge if he keeps developing in the majors. If he becomes a reliable starter, his salary could jump quickly.

Key financial milestones for him include:

• Arbitration eligibility after about three years of service
• Free agency after six years
• Performance bonuses for things like All-Star appearances

If he stays healthy and pitches well, he could eventually command salaries north of $20 million a year, whether that’s with the Rays or another team.

His health and continued development will really decide if he reaches the top tier of MLB pitchers financially.

Personal Life and Off-Field Interests

Away from the mound, Taj Bradley keeps a pretty balanced life. He’s got interests and commitments outside baseball that show his character.

Charitable Activities

Even early in his career, Bradley has started giving back. He joins the Rays’ annual community outreach, especially with youth baseball programs in underserved areas.

Back in Los Angeles, he supports local baseball at Redan High School, his old stomping grounds. Sometimes, he goes back to run pitching clinics for young players.

“Giving back to the community that helped shape me is important,” Bradley said during a team charity event in 2023.

His charitable work isn’t front and center just yet, but as his career grows, it’s likely his impact in youth sports will, too.

Media Appearances

Bradley keeps a pretty modest media presence, though it’s definitely grown since he broke into MLB. Most of the time, the spotlight lands on his growth as a pitcher, not so much on any personal hype.

You’ll spot him in a handful of Rays promo videos. He also jumps into post-game interviews where he usually gives these thoughtful, sometimes almost too careful, takes on how he played.

In 2024, Bradley dropped by several baseball podcasts to chat about his journey to the majors and what goes into his pitching. His interview on YouTube really highlighted how much he knows about the technical side of the game, and you can tell he’s thinking hard about where he wants his career to go.

He’ll share training clips and team moments on social media now and then, but honestly, he stays a lot more private online than most athletes his age.

Hobbies and Interests

When he’s not on the field, Bradley likes to unwind with video games. Sometimes he plays with teammates during long road trips, which helps everyone relax and stay connected.

He gravitates toward sports simulation games and strategy titles. It’s clear he’s got a competitive streak even off the field.

Bradley really gets into technology too. He often tweaks his device settings, always looking for ways to make his performance tracking apps work better for his training.

He’s an avid reader, and you’ll usually spot him with a book on team flights. He prefers biographies about successful athletes from all kinds of sports, hoping to pick up on their mental game.

Since moving to Tampa Bay, Bradley has gotten hooked on fishing. He sometimes posts pictures of his catches on social media, especially in the off-season.

Trying out local food in different MLB cities has become one of his favorite parts of the job. He calls it “one of the unexpected perks of being a professional ballplayer.”