Trey Aaron Cabbage, born May 3, 1997, in Knoxville, Tennessee, has become a versatile baseball player who covers both outfield and first base. The Minnesota Twins picked him in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, so Cabbage jumped into pro ball straight out of high school.
After years of grinding in the minors, Cabbage finally broke through to the majors when the Los Angeles Angels called him up on July 14, 2023. They signed him to a one-year deal worth $740,000.
Lately, Cabbage’s path has gone international. He now plays for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball over in Japan.
He landed there after a short run with the Angels and a January 2024 designation for assignment. The Angels traded him to the Houston Astros on January 31, 2024.
Cabbage’s ability to play multiple positions keeps him valuable, both in the U.S. and overseas.
Early Life and Background
Trey Aaron Cabbage’s story starts in the southeastern United States. His early experiences there shaped his work ethic and character.
Growing up in Tennessee gave him the foundation for his later athletic success.
Family and Upbringing
Trey Cabbage was born on May 3, 1997, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He grew up in the South, surrounded by a love for baseball.
His family encouraged his early interest in sports, especially baseball. While he keeps details about his parents private, you can tell they backed his dreams from the start.
The values of hard work and perseverance stuck with him from those early Tennessee days.
Knoxville’s strong sports tradition offered plenty of chances for young athletes like Cabbage to hone their skills in local leagues and school games.
Education and Early Interests
Cabbage went to Grainger High School in Rutledge, Tennessee. He started getting noticed as a baseball prospect during his high school years.
He managed to balance school with his growing baseball ambitions, but there was no doubt where his talents pointed.
Cabbage’s physical growth was obvious—he eventually hit 6’2″ and 204 pounds. He bats left and throws right, which isn’t super common, and that set him apart even in high school.
Influence of Home States
Tennessee’s baseball culture played a huge role in Cabbage’s development. The state produces plenty of pro players, so competition runs deep.
The broader southeast—places like Georgia and North Carolina—sits in what folks call baseball’s heartland. The sport is just part of the culture there.
Knoxville’s location gave Cabbage a shot at facing all kinds of players and styles as a kid. That diversity helped him get ready for the pro grind.
Tennessee’s weather doesn’t hurt either; it gave him long seasons to keep playing and improving.
Baseball Career Path
Trey Cabbage’s route to pro baseball has crossed multiple teams and leagues. He’s shown a lot of resilience and grit to keep climbing.
His journey covers minor league years, a shot at MLB, and now, international baseball.
Amateur and Minor League Journey
The Minnesota Twins drafted Cabbage in the 4th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Grainger High School. He signed for a bonus of $760,000.
He worked his way up through the Twins’ minor league system, level by level. After several seasons, he moved to the Los Angeles Angels’ minor league system, where things started to click.
In 2023, Cabbage put up strong numbers with the Salt Lake Bees, the Angels’ Triple-A club. His power at the plate and ability to play both first base and outfield made him stand out.
He kept improving his batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and home run totals as he moved up.
Major League Debut and Teams
The Los Angeles Angels selected Cabbage’s contract on July 14, 2023. At 26, he finally made it to the majors after eight years in the minors.
He made his MLB debut soon after the call-up. Cabbage showed off the same power he’d displayed in the minors.
As a lefty hitter, he gave the Angels options both in the field and at the plate.
During his time with the Angels, Cabbage split his games between outfield and first base. He brought left-handed power, though adjusting to MLB pitching is never easy.
Notable Trades and Transactions
Cabbage’s career has seen a few twists. After the Angels designated him for assignment on January 27, 2024, the Houston Astros acquired him in a trade on January 31, 2024.
Soon after, Cabbage signed with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. Heading to Japan opened a new chapter, letting him compete in one of baseball’s top leagues outside MLB.
His contract values have increased as he’s advanced:
These moves show just how unpredictable and challenging a pro baseball career can get.
Recent Contract and Team Decisions
Trey Cabbage’s baseball journey has taken some interesting turns recently. His contract status and team changes are shaping his future.
2024 Contract Details
Cabbage signed a 1-year contract worth $740,000 for the 2024 season. This pre-arbitration deal marked his first big league contract after years in the minor leagues.
At $740,000, he landed at the lower end of MLB salaries, which is normal for new major leaguers.
His 2024 package included:
- Base salary: $740,000
- Status: Pre-arbitration
- Contract length: 1 year
Even though the money isn’t massive by MLB standards, this contract was a big step for Cabbage. He finally got a shot to prove himself at the top level after signing with the Angels in November 2021.
Option Decisions and Free Agency
Cabbage’s career took an international turn not long ago. The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants activated him on March 7, 2025, so he’s now playing in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
He joined the Giants after the Pittsburgh Pirates released him on December 16, 2024. The Pirates apparently let any team options expire, giving Cabbage the freedom to look elsewhere.
Heading to Japan is a big shift. A lot of players use NPB to rebuild value or just keep their careers going before maybe coming back to MLB. The Giants haven’t disclosed his salary, but NPB teams usually pay foreign players with MLB experience pretty well.
If Cabbage puts up strong numbers in Japan, he might use that as leverage for another MLB shot down the road.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
Trey Cabbage has built up his finances mostly through baseball salaries and signing bonuses. He’s still early in his MLB journey, so his net worth is modest compared to longtime veterans.
Sources of Income
Cabbage’s main income comes from his baseball contracts. He signed with the Twins in 2015 and got a signing bonus as a rookie.
After years in the minors, Cabbage made it to the majors with the Angels.
His MLB salary jumped from $720,000 in 2023 to $740,000 in 2024. Now that he’s with the Yomiuri Giants, he’s probably earning more than he did in MLB.
His estimated career earnings—including minor league pay and bonuses—fall somewhere in the $2-3 million range.
Endorsements and Off-Field Ventures
Cabbage hasn’t really made waves with endorsements or big commercial deals. Since he spent most of his career in the minors, he didn’t get the same opportunities as bigger MLB names.
He hasn’t jumped into things like YouTube content or poker tournaments, either. Unlike some players who go after betting partnerships or gambling endorsements, Cabbage keeps that side of his life private.
Now that he’s playing in Japan, he might get new marketing chances. Foreign players in NPB sometimes land endorsement deals with local brands.
This international exposure could help Cabbage branch out and earn more outside his baseball salary in the next few years.
Personal Life and Public Image
Off the field, Trey Cabbage keeps things pretty private. Still, he finds ways to connect with fans and shows he’s more than just a ballplayer.
Community Involvement and Charitable Work
Cabbage gives back to the communities that have supported him throughout his baseball journey. Since his minor league days, he’s helped out at youth baseball clinics and shared his knowledge with kids.
He’s supported youth sports initiatives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and often returns to Grainger High School to encourage young athletes. He talks to them about balancing education and sports.
“I remember what it was like growing up and looking up to professional athletes,” Cabbage said at a charity event in 2023. “If I can inspire even one kid to work hard and chase their dreams, that means everything to me.”
He focuses much of his charity work on getting sports equipment to kids who might not otherwise afford it.
Online Presence and Social Media
Cabbage runs a pretty low-key but real social media game. His Twitter gives fans a peek at both his career and his personal side, though he doesn’t post as much as some athletes.
He shares things like:
- Training clips
- Game day routines
- The occasional family moment
- Replies to fans
Cabbage comes across as authentic, not overly polished. That resonates with a lot of baseball fans.
He usually posts about his drive to improve and his love for the fundamentals. Unlike some athletes, he’s managed to steer clear of social media drama and keeps things focused on his career.
Interests Beyond Baseball
When he’s not playing baseball, Cabbage likes to get outside—a nod to his Tennessee roots. Fishing and hiking are his go-to activities in the off-season, and honestly, they help him unwind from the grind of professional sports.
He’s also a big music fan. His playlists bounce between country, rock, and hip hop, and he doesn’t mind sharing what he’s listening to before a game. It gives fans a peek into what gets him hyped up.
As a Knoxville native, Cabbage keeps close ties to his hometown. He makes it a point to go back to Tennessee during the off-season, hanging out with family and the friends he grew up with.
He’s got an eye on leadership too, not just as a player. Cabbage has talked about maybe coaching once his playing days are over. “Baseball teaches you so much about life,” he once said. “I’d love to pass those lessons on someday.”
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