Zack Thompson – St. Louis Cardinals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Zack Thompson has been making waves in Major League Baseball since he debuted for the St. Louis Cardinals on June 3, 2019.

He was born in Selma, Indiana on October 28, 1997. The Cardinals picked him in the first round (19th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft, right out of the University of Kentucky.

Right now, Thompson plays under a one-year contract worth $772,200 with the St. Louis Cardinals, and that amount is fully guaranteed. That’s a bump up from his previous $725,000 salary, a sign the Cardinals trust him more and more on the mound.

Thompson’s net worth sits around $3.5 million, a number that reflects both his early-career earnings and the upside he’s got left. As a young pitcher still finding his groove in the majors, he’s steadily building his reputation and financial future while trying to nail down a regular spot in the Cardinals’ rotation.

Early Life and Baseball Journey

Zack Thompson’s story starts in Selma, Indiana, where he was born on October 28, 1997.

His early years and amateur career set the stage for his eventual first-round selection by the Cardinals in 2019.

Amateur Career and Development

Thompson’s baseball life kicked off in his hometown. He sharpened his pitching as a kid and later at Wapahani High School in Indiana, where he quickly became one of the state’s top pitching prospects.

His standout high school play caught the eyes of plenty of college scouts.

He chose the University of Kentucky, where he really started to hone his stuff. While pitching for the Wildcats, he worked on his fastball and breaking pitches, showing steady improvement in ERA and strikeouts.

By his junior year, Thompson stood out as one of the best collegiate lefties in the country. Scouts noticed his command and pitch mix, and he became a hot commodity for pro teams.

Draft Selection and Minor Leagues

The St. Louis Cardinals grabbed Thompson with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. That first-round pick made it clear the Cardinals believed in his future.

Thompson signed and started his pro career working his way through the Cardinals’ farm system.

He moved through the minors at a steady clip, refining his mechanics and building up his arm. Fangraphs pointed out that he spent a lot of time developing his secondary pitches during this phase.

His minor league numbers looked promising, especially his strikeout ability. He pitched at several levels, and each promotion marked another step forward.

By 2022, he was ready for the big leagues. Thompson made his MLB debut on June 3, 2022, finally stepping onto the mound for the Cardinals.

MLB Career and Performance

Zack Thompson has gone from a high draft pick to a key piece of the Cardinals’ pitching staff.

His MLB journey has been all about adaptability—he’s bounced between starting and relieving, showing off his control and strikeout skills against big-league hitters.

Major League Debut and Early Success

Thompson debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022. He made an impression right away as a versatile lefty in the staff.

He showed off a solid four-pitch mix, led by a fastball in the low 90s and a curveball that quickly became his go-to strikeout pitch.

Thompson’s ability to start or relieve gave the Cardinals some much-needed flexibility.

Analytics showed he dominated left-handed hitters, making him a smart tactical choice in tough spots.

The Cardinals’ coaches started to trust him more as he kept delivering in those situations.

Team History and Roster Roles

With the Cardinals, Thompson has filled several roles depending on what the team needed.

He started out in the bullpen, but when injuries hit the rotation, the Cardinals stretched him out for starting opportunities.

In 2023, Thompson began the season on the Opening Day roster as a reliever but shifted into more starting assignments as the year went on.

His flexibility helped the Cardinals work through some tough pitching staff challenges.

By 2024, Thompson’s role started to settle, though his adaptability kept him valuable.

His performance earned him a contract worth $772,200 for the 2025 season—a sign the team valued his contributions.

In early 2025, though, Thompson hit a rough patch when the team placed him on the 60-day injured list with a left shoulder strain.

Key Achievements and Notable Games

Thompson has already put together some memorable games.

One of his best starts came against the Cubs, when he went seven innings, struck out nine, and gave up just one run. That game really showed off his full arsenal.

In a big divisional matchup against the Brewers, he came out of the bullpen and struck out the side in the eighth inning to hold onto a one-run lead—pretty clutch.

His regular season stats show a pitcher on the rise:

• ERA: Getting better each year
• Strikeout Rate: Above league average, especially vs. lefties
• WAR (Wins Above Replacement): Positive, despite bouncing between roles

Fans are keeping a close eye on Thompson as he works to become a fixture in the Cardinals’ pitching plans.

Contract Status and Salary Details

Zack Thompson’s contract with the Cardinals reflects his spot as an up-and-coming pitcher in the league.

His current salary and future negotiations show that the team values what he brings.

Current Contract Structure

Thompson currently earns a salary of $725,000 per year with the Cardinals.

That’s a standard pre-arbitration contract for a young player still getting established.

He didn’t get a signing bonus in this deal, which is typical for players at his stage.

As of January 2025, he has 1.072 years of service time, so he’s still pre-arbitration.

His net worth is about $3.5 million, which includes his baseball earnings and maybe some other income streams.

Compared to veteran pitchers, his base salary is modest, but there’s a lot of room for growth.

Contract Extension and Negotiations

Thompson is getting close to a big moment in his career financially.

He’ll soon be eligible for salary arbitration, which usually means a nice pay bump if you’re performing well.

The Cardinals might try to extend his contract before he hits arbitration, locking him in at a rate that works for both sides.

Teams often do this to keep promising players around while giving them some financial security.

How Thompson pitches through the first half of 2025 will probably play a big role in those talks.

The trade deadline could also shake things up, since his affordable contract makes him a tempting trade piece if the Cardinals decide to make moves.

Net Worth and Financial Insights

Zack Thompson has already built up a solid financial base through his career with the Cardinals.

His money comes from his salary, and maybe some endorsements or other ventures here and there.

Net Worth Estimation Methods

Thompson’s net worth is estimated at about $3.5 million, though these numbers are always a bit of an educated guess.

People usually look at:

• Career earnings: All the contracts he’s signed
• Investment returns: Stocks, real estate, who knows
• Tax obligations: Federal and state taxes take a chunk
• Living expenses: The cost of staying afloat as a pro athlete

Analysts use public contract info and try to estimate the rest. It’s never 100% exact.

Since Thompson’s still in the early stages of his career, his net worth could grow a lot if he keeps pitching well.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

There aren’t a ton of public details about Thompson’s endorsement deals yet.

But MLB relievers often land partnerships with:

• Equipment brands (New Balance for shoes and gloves)
• Eyewear companies (maybe Oakley for sunglasses)
• Local businesses in the team’s city
• Sports drink and nutrition brands

If Thompson keeps making a name for himself, his endorsement opportunities will probably pick up.

Relievers usually don’t get as much from sponsorships as starters, but specialists can still build a decent personal brand.

He also has chances for paid appearances or running baseball camps in the offseason, which adds a little extra to his income.

Salary, Taxes, and Earnings

Thompson’s main income is his MLB contract.

He signed a one-year deal for $772,200 with the Cardinals, up from his previous salary of $725,000.

Pro athletes deal with a lot of taxes and fees:

• Federal income tax (top bracket: 37%)
• State taxes (depends on where he lives and plays)
• “Jock tax” in states where he plays away games
• Agent fees (usually 3-5% of the contract)

After all that, his take-home pay is a lot less than the headline number.

MLB players get paid twice a month during the season, not year-round.

If Thompson makes it to arbitration and, down the road, free agency, his earning potential could really take off—assuming he keeps performing.

Recognition, Challenges, and Personal Life

Zack Thompson’s career has had its share of highlights, tough stretches, and personal interests that show there’s more to him than just baseball.

His journey so far says a lot about his resilience and drive.

Awards and Honors

At the University of Kentucky, Thompson built his reputation as a top pitching prospect.

In 2019, he earned All-SEC honors and made the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, which says a lot about his skills at that level.

The Cardinals drafted him in the first round (19th overall) in 2019, and since then, he’s been working to make his mark in the pros.

He hasn’t made an All-Star team or won a Cy Young yet, but his progress has been steady.

In 2023, he stood out as one of the Cardinals’ most reliable lefty relievers, which could set him up for more recognition if he keeps trending up.

Injuries and Comebacks

Thompson hasn’t had a perfectly smooth ride.

Back in college, he suffered an elbow injury that put his development at risk, but he bounced back with some impressive mental toughness.

Turning pro brought new physical challenges, as he adjusted to the grind of a professional pitching schedule.

He ran into some performance issues in the minors that forced him to tweak his mechanics.

Instead of letting it get to him, Thompson worked closely with coaches to refine his approach. That effort eventually paid off with his MLB debut and more consistent outings.

His ability to push through tough times has really shaped his career so far.

Off-Field Interests and Community Involvement

Thompson still keeps close ties to his hometown, Selma, Indiana. He was born on October 28, 1997, and you can tell he values family—he heads back home pretty often when the season’s over.

He gets involved with youth baseball, sometimes showing up at clinics and pitching sessions for kids who want to follow in his footsteps. When he mentors younger players, you can sense he really gets how tough it is for them sometimes.

With a net worth of about $3.5 million, Thompson has the means to give back, and he does, though he doesn’t exactly broadcast his charity work.

He tries to juggle the grind of pro baseball with hobbies that keep him sane during those long MLB months. That kind of balance probably matters more than people realize, both for his game and just for who he is.