Triston McKenzie – Cleveland Guardians Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Triston McKenzie, who goes by “Dr. Sticks” because of his wiry build, has become one of the Cleveland Guardians’ most exciting pitchers since his MLB debut. This right-handed starter stands tall on the mound and delivers a nasty curveball that keeps hitters on edge.

McKenzie earns an annual salary of $1,950,000 with the Guardians on a one-year contract, and his net worth is estimated at about $4.3 million.

He’s battled through injuries—yeah, the injured list has seen his name—but McKenzie flashes real brilliance when he’s healthy. Cleveland clearly believes in his talent, and honestly, you can see why when he’s in rhythm.

His path from a hyped-up prospect to a mainstay in the rotation says a lot about his growth as a professional pitcher.

McKenzie’s career earnings really show how he’s moved up in the baseball world. He started with smaller contracts, then gradually climbed to his current seven-figure salary.

His contract history tracks this rise—from $575,300 in 2021, to $707,100 in 2022, and then his latest deal with the Guardians.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Triston McKenzie’s road to pro baseball really started thanks to his family’s support and some pretty big achievements during his high school years. Those early experiences set him up for his leap to the majors.

Family Background

Triston Andrew McKenzie was born on August 2, 1997, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Stacey and Elton McKenzie, always backed his athletic dreams from the start.

When Triston was still young, the McKenzies moved down to Florida. That move ended up being huge for his development.

Florida’s warm weather let him practice baseball year-round, which probably wouldn’t have happened if they’d stayed in New York.

His parents cared about both sports and school, so they pushed him to focus on discipline. That mindset shaped how he approaches the game even now.

High School Achievements

McKenzie went to Royal Palm Beach High School in Florida and quickly made a name for himself as a standout pitcher. At 6’5″ and thin as a rail, his “Dr. Sticks” nickname just stuck.

On the mound, McKenzie was dominant. His fastball hit the low-90s, and his curveball left hitters shaking their heads.

His senior year, he racked up 91 strikeouts in only 62 innings pitched.

He kept his ERA under 1.00 for that final season.

He made multiple All-American teams and was ranked among the best high school pitchers in the country.

Scouts from all over started watching him, and it was clear he was headed for the 2015 MLB Draft.

College Commitments

Even as his draft stock rose, McKenzie committed to Vanderbilt University. That’s a powerhouse for college baseball, especially for pitchers.

He handled academics just as well as baseball, so Vanderbilt seemed like a great fit.

But then the Cleveland organization picked him 42nd overall in the 2015 MLB Draft and offered a signing bonus well above slot value. That was a tough decision.

After a lot of talks with his family, McKenzie decided to sign with Cleveland and jump right into pro ball instead of heading to college.

Professional Baseball Journey

Triston McKenzie’s climb to MLB is a story of steady growth, setbacks, and some pretty electric moments. He went from a high school draft pick to an important starter for the Cleveland Guardians.

Draft and Minor League Progression

The Cleveland organization picked Triston McKenzie with the 42nd overall selection in 2015, straight out of Royal Palm Beach High School. At 6’5″ and just about 165 pounds, he fit the “Dr. Sticks” nickname perfectly.

He wasted no time making an impact in the minors. In 2016, pitching for the Class A Lake County Captains, he posted a 1.62 ERA and struck out 104 batters in 83.1 innings.

He kept moving up in 2017 at High-A Lynchburg, finishing 12-6 with a 3.46 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 143 innings. That performance locked in his status as one of Cleveland’s top prospects.

But injuries got in the way in 2018 and 2019. Forearm and back problems sidelined him for nearly two seasons.

MLB Debut with the Guardians

McKenzie finally made his MLB debut on August 22, 2020, during that weird, pandemic-shortened season. He threw 6 innings against the Detroit Tigers, gave up just 1 run on 2 hits, and struck out 10.

That debut was about as good as anyone could have hoped for. Cleveland’s patience with him really paid off.

He wrapped up the 2020 season with a 2-1 record and 3.24 ERA in 8 games (6 starts).

Right away, people noticed his fastball, breaking ball, and the way he carried himself on the mound. Even though he hadn’t pitched in almost two years before his debut, McKenzie looked like he belonged.

Key Seasons and Milestones

2021 wasn’t all smooth sailing. McKenzie struggled with command and bounced between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus while he worked on his control.

By late summer, he found his groove. He nearly threw a perfect game against Detroit, retiring the first 23 batters.

In 2022, McKenzie really broke out. He became a dependable starter, put up a 3.29 ERA over 30 starts, and struck out 190 batters in 191.1 innings. That helped Cleveland make the playoffs.

But 2023 brought more injury trouble. Elbow issues limited him to just four games.

He bounced back by signing a one-year, $1.95 million contract for 2024, skipping arbitration.

Spring Training and Rotation Roles

McKenzie’s spring training performances have usually shaped his spot in the rotation. In 2021, he had some control issues, but the team stuck with him as a starter.

By 2022, he showed up in camp with a secure rotation spot, and his consistency made him the #2 starter behind Shane Bieber.

Spring 2023 was rough—arm fatigue led to the injuries that cut his season short. Rehab became the priority.

Spring 2024 felt like a comeback attempt. The Guardians kept a close eye on his workload as he worked to regain strength. They still believe he can be a top starter if he stays healthy.

Contract and Earnings

Triston McKenzie has navigated the twists and turns of the MLB salary structure since his debut with the Guardians. His financial story follows the usual path for a rising MLB pitcher.

Rookie Contract and Arbitration Years

After Cleveland drafted him 42nd overall in 2015, McKenzie signed standard minor league contracts. Once he reached MLB in 2020, he earned close to the league minimum during his pre-arbitration years.

In 2021, he made $575,300 with the Guardians.

That went up to $707,100 in 2022 as he cemented his spot in the rotation.

He earned $739,500 in 2023, still under team control.

For 2024, McKenzie hit his first arbitration year, which gave his earnings a major boost. That’s when players finally get to negotiate based on their performance.

Major Extensions and Club Options

After strong seasons, McKenzie’s 2025 salary jumped to $1,950,000, showing the Guardians see his value.

The team has played it safe so far, probably because of his injury history. They haven’t locked him up with a long-term extension yet.

There aren’t any public details about club options in his current deal. If he stays healthy and keeps delivering, those talks might pop up soon.

Earnings Overview

By May 2025, McKenzie’s career earnings have reached about $4,300,468. That number keeps climbing.

Salary Progression:

• 2021: $575,300
• 2022: $707,100
• 2023: $739,500
• 2024-25: $1,950,000

As McKenzie moves through arbitration, his earning power could really take off—if he keeps performing.

His future paychecks will depend on two things: staying healthy and producing on the mound. If he manages both, he could land a big multi-year deal before free agency.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Triston McKenzie has built up solid wealth through his MLB career with the Cleveland Guardians, mixing his baseball salary with some smart endorsement deals.

Estimated Net Worth

McKenzie’s current net worth falls somewhere between $1 million and $5 million, with most estimates settling at about $4.3 million as of 2025.

Most of that comes from his baseball earnings since getting drafted in 2015.

He got a nice financial jumpstart with a $2.3 million signing bonus when he chose pro ball over Vanderbilt. Now, his MLB contract pays him $1.95 million a year, a big leap from previous seasons.

His net worth should only keep rising if he locks in a long-term contract.

Endorsement Deals

McKenzie doesn’t have the biggest endorsement portfolio, but he’s made some smart moves. His main equipment deal is with a big baseball glove brand.

He’s also worked with regional businesses around Cleveland, popping up in local TV ads for car dealerships and community banks. These deals add a little extra income.

On social media, he’s partnered with athletic performance and recovery brands. With his thin frame and “Dr. Sticks” nickname, he’s a natural fit for supplement companies targeting athletes.

If he keeps pitching well, it’s likely that bigger national endorsements will come his way.

Playing Style and Notable Teammates

Triston McKenzie has carved out a unique pitching style that blends movement and smart pitch placement. He’s also benefited from having some key teammates backing him up in the Guardians clubhouse.

Pitching Power and Performance

McKenzie’s fastball usually sits between 91-94 mph, but his delivery makes it look even quicker to hitters. At 6’5″, he gets great downward angle on his pitches, which makes life tough for batters.

His curveball is really his calling card—a sharp 12-6 breaker that just drops off the table. That pitch became his go-to weapon during his big 2022 season when he put up a 2.96 ERA.

People joke about his skinny build—hence, “Sticks”—but he gets surprising power out of his mechanics. He’s efficient, and it helps him avoid putting too much strain on his arm.

OPS and Advanced Metrics

If you look at McKenzie’s effectiveness, the way he limits opponents’ OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) really jumps out. During his best runs, hitters just couldn’t get much going against him—opponents managed only a .204 batting average in 2022.

Advanced metrics tell the story pretty well:

• FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching): He usually posts a better FIP than ERA.
• K/9 Rate: He sits around 9-10 strikeouts per nine innings.
• WHIP: When he’s rolling, he keeps it under 1.00.

McKenzie brings serious spin to his breaking pitches, especially his curveball. That pitch gives both righties and lefties a tough time.

Guardians Bullpen and Rotation

Within the Cleveland Guardians pitching staff, McKenzie made himself a key rotation piece alongside ace Shane Bieber. Their different approaches—Bieber’s pinpoint control, McKenzie’s wild movement—kept hitters guessing.

The Guardians bullpen, led by closer Emmanuel Clase and setup man Trevor Stephan, usually locked things down after McKenzie left the mound.

Manager Terry Francona used that bullpen depth to get the most out of McKenzie’s outings.

Veteran starter Carlos Carrasco also played a big role in McKenzie’s early development. Carrasco mentored him during his first few years in Cleveland, before heading to the Mets.

Key Teammates and Collaborators

McKenzie has benefited from great defense behind him, especially from outfielders like Steven Kwan and Myles Straw. Kwan in left field has saved McKenzie from giving up plenty of extra-base hits.

Catcher-pitcher chemistry matters, and McKenzie worked well with Cleveland’s catchers. Their pitch framing, especially on his breaking stuff, helped him get more called strikes on the edges.

Pitching coach Carl Willis once said, “Triston has such a natural feel for pitching. His growth mindset and willingness to make adjustments have accelerated his development.”

Things took a tough turn, though. After some struggles, the Guardians designated him for assignment in April 2025. That move definitely changed the direction of his career.

Career Highlights and Future Outlook

Triston McKenzie carved out a spot as a promising pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, even with some injury setbacks along the way.

He delivered some standout performances that made him a valuable part of the rotation.

World Series and Playoff Appearances

McKenzie played a big role in the Guardians’ postseason pushes, showing off his skills when the stakes were highest.

In 2022, he became a central piece of the rotation, finishing with an 11-11 record and a 2.96 ERA. That helped the team lock up a playoff spot.

During the postseason, McKenzie showed real poise and composure for his age. The Guardians definitely valued his ability to handle pressure.

His contributions helped keep Cleveland in the mix in the American League. The team still chases that first World Series title since 1948, though.

Awards and Recognitions

McKenzie hasn’t picked up major awards like a Gold Glove or Cy Young—at least, not yet. His 2022 season really put him on the map as one of MLB’s more intriguing young arms.

He gets noticed for his strikeouts and improving command. That tall, lanky frame and his deceptive delivery have become his signature look out there.

Plenty of analysts talk about his upside. If he can stay healthy and consistent, maybe he’ll become an ace down the line.

Free Agency and Trade Rumors

McKenzie just signed a one-year, $1,950,000 contract with the Cleveland Guardians. The team keeps betting on his growth.

That’s a pretty big jump from his last salary of $739,500. You can tell Cleveland sees something in him.

Trade rumors pop up here and there, with teams like the Yankees and Dodgers always sniffing around for more pitching. Even so, the Guardians seem pretty set on keeping McKenzie in their core rotation.

He brings that rare mix of youth, talent, and a contract that doesn’t break the bank. That’s valuable for Cleveland, but it also catches the eye of other contenders.

With free agency on the horizon in the next few years, how he performs will probably shape his market value—and maybe decide if the Guardians try to lock him in with a long-term deal.