Zach Pop – Toronto Blue Jays Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Zachery Michael Pop, a Canadian professional baseball pitcher born on September 20, 1996, is currently finding his footing with the Seattle Mariners after the Toronto Blue Jays released him in April 2025.

This right-handed reliever has taken the mound for several Major League Baseball teams, relying on his powerful sinker in high-pressure moments. Right now, Zach Pop’s salary sits at $900,000 for the 2025 season on a one-year contract, and his net worth is estimated at about $1.83 million.

Pop’s path through pro baseball has included a lot of movement. After the Blue Jays let him go earlier this year, the Mariners quickly brought him on with a minor league contract, clearly seeing some potential value in their bullpen.

Before this, he earned around $742,200 with Toronto, so his latest deal shows a modest bump in pay.

He’s not among baseball’s highest-paid relievers, but Pop keeps building his career and financial base. His previous Toronto contract was $740,000 for a single year, which shows a steady, if unspectacular, salary climb as he gets more experience.

Teams keep finding value in his ability to generate ground balls with that signature sinker.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Zach Pop’s baseball journey started in Canada. He built a strong foundation with family support, some standout high school years, and college ball at the University of Kentucky.

Background and Family

Zachery Michael Pop was born in Brampton, Canada, on September 20, 1996. His Canadian roots make him one of the relatively few MLB players from north of the border.

Pop grew up with a supportive family that encouraged his athletic pursuits early on.

We don’t have a lot of details about his parents or siblings, but their influence clearly played a role in his development. At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, Pop always had the physical build for sports.

Growing up in Canada gave him a different perspective in a sport mostly dominated by Americans. He’s always carried that with him.

High School Achievements

Pop went to Notre Dame Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, where he started to stand out as a pitcher. In high school, he developed his sinking fastball, which eventually became his calling card.

Scouts noticed his velocity and movement. His high school performances put him among Canada’s top baseball prospects.

He played in showcase events, testing his skills against other top young players.

The Toronto Blue Jays picked him in the 2014 MLB Draft, but he decided not to sign. Instead, he went to college to keep developing.

Collegiate Baseball Experience

Pop chose the University of Kentucky and played for the Wildcats. While there, he shifted from starting pitcher to reliever, which ended up shaping his pro career.

At Kentucky, he worked on his mechanics and pushed his fastball into the mid-90s. That made him a real force on the mound.

His time with the Wildcats raised his profile among MLB scouts.

During his junior year, he put up some strong numbers that helped his draft stock. People started to notice his knack for getting ground balls—a skill that would serve him well in pro ball.

By the end of college, Pop had become a promising relief pitching prospect. The Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Professional Baseball Journey

Zach Pop’s road to the majors has included trades, injuries, and a lot of determination as he worked through several organizations to secure his spot as an MLB reliever.

MLB Draft and Signing

The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Pop in the 23rd round in 2014, but he didn’t sign. He went to Kentucky instead.

That decision paid off. The Los Angeles Dodgers took him in the 7th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, and Pop signed with them, starting his pro career from a much better draft spot.

He impressed early with his sinker-slider combo, which got a lot of ground balls. That made him an interesting prospect as he moved up through the minors.

Minor League Progression

Pop’s minor league journey was anything but smooth. He started in the Dodgers’ system, but the team traded him to the Baltimore Orioles in 2018 as part of the Manny Machado deal.

With the Orioles, he kept working on his pitches and put up solid numbers. Then he hit a big setback—Tommy John surgery sidelined him for a while.

Before he could make it back with the Orioles, the Miami Marlins picked him in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2020. That pick showed teams still believed in his potential, even after surgery.

Major League Debut

Pop finally made it to the majors with the Miami Marlins, debuting on April 3, 2021. He faced the Tampa Bay Rays in his first MLB appearance, which capped off years of grinding through injuries and team changes.

He kept bouncing between organizations. In 2022, the Blue Jays traded for him, bringing him back to the team that first drafted him out of high school.

This return to Toronto felt like things had come full circle.

Pop’s career shifted again when the Blue Jays released him in April 2025 after elbow problems. Not long after, the Seattle Mariners picked him up on a minor league deal, giving him another shot at sticking in the majors.

Zach Pop’s Contracts and Transactions

Zach Pop has seen plenty of contract changes and team moves since turning pro. His financial path has included pre-arbitration deals and minor league contracts that have shaped his earnings and career.

Contract Details and Salary

Pop’s most recent contract pays him $742,200 per year, with no signing bonus. Before that, he was on a one-year pre-arbitration deal worth $740,000.

These numbers reflect his role as a developing reliever still working toward bigger contracts.

He’s earned enough to reach a net worth of $1,833,262, which puts him somewhere in the lower to middle range for MLB relievers.

Pop’s contracts have mostly benefited the teams, keeping him under control while he tries to establish himself. His salary hasn’t really moved the needle for team payrolls or luxury tax issues.

Trades and Team Changes

Pop’s career has involved several team changes, making him a bit of a journeyman reliever. Teams often use bullpen arms like his as trade chips at the deadline.

On April 16, 2025, he signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners, which is his latest move. Earlier, he was with the Blue Jays, who released him on April 2, 2025.

He’s played for multiple organizations, which shows just how fluid MLB relief pitching rosters can be. Teams value his right-handed arm but don’t hesitate to move him if it helps address other needs.

Free Agency Status

Since Pop just signed a minor league deal with the Mariners, he’s technically a free agent who joined outside the main roster. This type of contract gives both him and Seattle some flexibility.

He signed in mid-April 2025, after the season started, so teams probably spent a little time evaluating their bullpens before making a move. The Mariners likely see Pop as extra depth, maybe someone who can step in if injuries or slumps hit their main relievers.

Under MLB’s CBA, Pop continues to accumulate service time, which will eventually impact his free agency options. His movement between teams has made it tougher to land a bigger, multi-year deal that would offer more financial security.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Zach Pop’s finances reflect the typical journey of a pro ballplayer, balancing MLB earnings with all the usual expenses that come with the job. His situation keeps evolving as he moves through pre-arbitration years and tries to reach higher paydays.

Estimated Net Worth

In 2025, Zach Pop’s net worth stands at $1,833,262. That number comes from his baseball earnings since the Dodgers drafted him in 2017.

Pop’s net worth is pretty standard for a player still in the pre-arbitration phase—not huge, but solid.

Most of his wealth comes from his salary and maybe some investments, though we don’t know the details. As a Canadian from Brampton, he might have financial interests in both the US and Canada.

Earnings and Career Income

Pop’s MLB salary history shows a steady climb through his pre-arbitration years:

• 2022: $700,000
• 2023: $742,200
• 2024: $740,000
• 2025: $900,000

His current deal runs through 2025, giving him some financial stability while he works on his MLB career.

Pop’s earnings fit the standard MLB pay structure for players in his position. He might get some extra cash from endorsements, but as a reliever without much star power, those deals are probably limited.

Taxes and Debt

Like all MLB players, Pop has to deal with complicated taxes that eat into his net earnings. Since he’s played for several teams (Marlins, Blue Jays, Dodgers), he probably pays state income taxes in different places.

Being a Canadian citizen adds another layer, since he might owe taxes in both countries. Some MLB players move to tax-friendly states like Florida or Texas to cut down on their tax bills.

We don’t have any public info about Pop’s debts. Most young MLB players face typical expenses like:

• Housing in more than one city
• Training and nutrition
• Agent fees (usually 3-5%)
• Planning for life after baseball

Managing money becomes really important for players like Pop, who make decent but not superstar-level money.

Notable Moments and Career Highlights

Zach Pop’s run through pro baseball has included some memorable performances and big milestones that have shaped his path as a reliever. He’s earned a reputation for stepping up in key spots and making an impact when it matters.

Key Performances and Milestones

Zach Pop made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2021. That was a huge moment for the Canadian-born pitcher.

He reached this milestone after fighting through Tommy John surgery, which really set him back during his early years.

Fans probably remember one of Pop’s best outings from his rookie season. He retired eight straight batters in a tense relief appearance against the Atlanta Braves.

He relied on his sinking fastball, which usually sits at 95-97 mph, and it quickly became his calling card.

In 2022, the Marlins traded Pop to the Toronto Blue Jays. That move let him play pro ball back home in Canada.

Canadian sports media and ESPN covered the homecoming a lot.

After the Blue Jays released him in April 2025, Pop found a new shot with the Seattle Mariners organization later that year.

World Series Experience

Pop hasn’t made it to a World Series yet. Still, his playoff experience with the Blue Jays has helped him grow as a pitcher.

He joined the Blue Jays’ bullpen during their postseason run and got a taste of high-pressure baseball.

In one tense divisional series game, Pop came in during the seventh inning with runners on base. He got out of the jam by inducing a double play, which MLB broadcasts called a defining moment for him.

Baseball analysts say Pop’s sinker-slider combo makes him tough in the playoffs, especially when ground balls matter most.

Managers like that he keeps the ball in the park. That’s a big deal in October baseball.

Legacy, Comparisons, and Off-Field Interests

Pop’s unique sidearm delivery and sinker-heavy style have earned him some attention in MLB, even though his career’s still pretty young.

He’s started to build a reputation not just for his pitching, but also through his connections in the league and his work in the community.

Comparisons with Contemporary Players

Pop’s sidearm delivery and heavy sinker remind people of a few established relievers.

His mechanics look a lot like Joe Smith and Daniel Hudson, who both have unusual arm slots and do well against righties.

He doesn’t throw as hard as Tyler Glasnow and his breaking stuff isn’t quite Sonny Gray’s level, but his sinker movement draws some comparisons to Zack Wheeler’s two-seamer.

“His arm angle creates uncomfortable at-bats even for elite hitters,” one ESPN analyst said during a 2024 Blue Jays broadcast. “It’s a lot like what Jeremy Jeffress did back in the day.”

Pop isn’t one of those high-profile relievers who land massive contracts like Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg. With his $742,200 salary, he’s a pretty budget-friendly bullpen piece.

Merchandise and Community Involvement

Pop’s merchandise sales don’t come close to stars like Shohei Ohtani or Francisco Lindor. That’s not a huge surprise—he’s still carving out his place as a reliever.

The Toronto Blue Jays have put Pop front and center in several community programs across Canada. His Canadian background makes him a natural fit for Toronto’s outreach and international promos.

He’s joined the Blue Jays’ winter caravan, visiting children’s hospitals and local schools throughout Ontario.

Pop also supports youth baseball clinics in his home province. He tries to help the next wave of Canadian baseball players find their footing.

He focuses his charitable work on:

• Youth baseball development
• Community health initiatives
• Support for Canadian amateur sports

Personal Life and Consent

Pop keeps his personal life pretty quiet, especially compared to big names like Mookie Betts or Corey Seager.

He grew up in Brampton, Ontario, and spent his early years in Canada. Later, he went to the University of Kentucky.

He loves the outdoors and spends a lot of the off-season fishing. Every now and then, he’ll post a fishing photo or two on his social media.

His time in Kentucky sparked a real love for basketball. When baseball’s on break, he often shows up at NBA games.

Pop doesn’t chase the spotlight like some players do. He picks his interviews carefully and likes to stay in control of what people know about his life, especially when it comes to his injury recovery.

Scroll through his social media and you’ll notice how intentional he is—professional, but not too personal. Honestly, that’s a tough balance, and a lot of younger players haven’t quite figured it out in today’s media-heavy world.