Introduction
Mark Prior is a retired American professional baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees. He was drafted second overall in 2001 by the Cubs and made his Major League debut in 2002. Prior was considered one of the best pitchers of his time, with a fastball that could reach 98 miles per hour. In this blog post, we will be discussing Mark Prior’s wealth and how much he has earned over the years.
Early Career
Prior played college baseball for the University of Southern California. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1998, but he decided to continue his education and play for USC. In 2001, Prior was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and signed a contract worth $10.5 million, including a $4 million signing bonus. This made him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Rookie Season
Prior made his Major League debut in May 2002 and had an outstanding rookie season. He finished the year with 147 strikeouts and a 3.32 ERA, helping the Cubs reach the NLCS. He was named the NL Rookie of the Year and made the MLB All-Star team.
Injuries
Unfortunately, Prior’s career was plagued by injuries. He suffered multiple injuries to his shoulder and elbow, which caused him to miss significant amounts of playing time. These injuries affected his performance and led to his retirement in 2013.
Earnings from the Cubs
Prior played with the Chicago Cubs for five seasons and earned a total of $10.5 million. He was the highest-paid player on the team during his last three seasons with the Cubs, earning $3.575 million, $3.575 million, and $3.875 million, respectively.
Contracts with Other Teams
After playing for the Cubs, Prior signed contracts with the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees. Over the span of his career, he earned a total of $14,518,000.
Endorsement Deals
While Prior was playing with the Cubs, he had endorsement deals with companies like Adidas, Nike, and Rawlings. However, the exact amount he earned from these deals is unclear.
Investments and Other Ventures
After retiring from baseball, Prior went back to school and earned a degree in business. He went on to work for the San Diego Padres as an ambassador and has invested in real estate. He also owns a baseball academy that specializes in training young players.
Charitable Contributions
Prior is also known for his charitable contributions. In 2007, he and his wife, Heather, founded a non-profit organization called the Mark Prior Foundation, which focuses on raising funds for children with disabilities.
Conclusion
Mark Prior had a successful career as a professional baseball player. He made millions of dollars from his contracts with different teams, endorsement deals, and investments. Although his career was affected by injuries, he made a name for himself in the league and has continued to be involved in baseball even after retiring.
FAQs
1. What is Mark Prior’s net worth?
Mark Prior’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million.
2. How many years did Mark Prior play in the MLB?
Mark Prior played in the MLB for nine seasons between 2002 and 2013.
3. How much did Mark Prior earn from his contract with the Cubs?
Mark Prior earned a total of $10.5 million from his contract with the Cubs.
4. What is the Mark Prior Foundation?
The Mark Prior Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Mark and Heather Prior that focuses on raising funds for children with disabilities.
5. What is Mark Prior doing now?
Mark Prior is currently working as an ambassador for the San Diego Padres and owns a baseball academy that specializes in training young players. He has also invested in real estate and is involved in charitable work through his foundation.