$9,259.26.
That's how much money Julio Rodriguez made per home run at the 2022 Home Run Derby. The AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner showed those outside of Seattle what they're missing out on, raking 81 home runs, including 63 in the first two rounds, which netted him a runner-up finish to the Nationals' Juan Soto.
More pressingly, that runner-up finish granted Rodriguez a $750,000 payday. And although that may not be the million dollars Soto will receive as the winner, it's still impactful for the 21-year-old rookie. Rodriguez's $750,000 payout is $50,000 more than his entire base $700,000 salary as a rookie for Seattle.
Julio Rodríguez earned more for his 2nd place finish in the Home Run Derby than he'll earn this entire season with the Mariners 🤯 pic.twitter.com/5bUOUQpSD4
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) July 19, 2022
Yes, there might be some kind of tax breakdown that makes that untrue, but we're talking base numbers here.
MORE: Julio Rodríguez shows in Home Run Derby why he's a future face of baseball
How much is Julio Rodriguez making this year?
Rodriguez's $700,000 rookie salary is actually by far the highest minimum wage MLB has seen. It has risen every year since 2016 when it was at $507,500. Indeed, the $129,500 jump from 2021 to 2022 is the biggest jump MLB rookies have seen this millennium, thanks in part to the new CBA established after the 2021 season.
While the MLB average salary is higher than it's ever been in 2022 ($4.4 million), rookie payscale hasn't grown proportionately. Other notable players getting the minimum this year are Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, Red Sox pitcher John Schreiber, Twins reliever Jhoan Duran, and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
The minimum is a reality of playing in MLB -- nearly every player makes it at some point in their careers. And although the latest CBA raised the floor, MLB is still lagging behind leagues like the NHL and the NBA.
How long is Julio Rodriguez under contract with the Mariners?
With that in mind, Rodriguez's Home Run Derby was more than a coming-out party for him. He more than doubled his 2022 salary with the runner-up finish, and he showed himself as a player with one of baseball's brightest futures. Add to that the Mariners have team control through 2025 and arbitration through 2028, and their future is bright as well.
In fact, don't be surprised to see Jerry Dipoto try to lock up Rodriguez to an early second contract a la Ronald Acuña Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr., particularly given the fact he plays a premier position.
In the meantime Rodriguez will play under the rules of his rookie deal. If there's one thing Monday's showing proved, however, it's that he's worth a significant amount more. Expect the MLB world to take notice.
