Cody Bellinger Net Worth

What is Cody Bellinger's net worth and salary?

Cody Bellinger is an American professional baseball player who has a net worth of $50 million. Cody Bellinger's career has featured extraordinary highs, abrupt setbacks, and a rare late-career revival that reshaped his financial and competitive outlook. A former National League MVP and Rookie of the Year, Bellinger burst into the majors as a generational talent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, combining elite power, Gold Glove defense, and uncommon versatility at both first base and across the outfield. By age 24, he had already authored one of the most dominant seasons of the modern era, winning MVP honors in 2019 and helping cement the Dodgers as perennial contenders.

What followed was a sharp and public downturn. Injuries, most notably a serious shoulder issue suffered during the 2020 postseason, disrupted Bellinger's swing and confidence. Over the next several seasons, his production collapsed, culminating in the Dodgers' decision not to tender him a contract. Rather than fade, Bellinger recalibrated. A one-year rebound with the Chicago Cubs restored his value, and a subsequent move to the New York Yankees produced one of the most complete seasons of his career. The arc from phenom to cautionary tale to marquee free agent has made Bellinger one of baseball's most compelling modern case studies.

Early Life

Cody James Bellinger was born on July 13, 1995, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Baseball was embedded in his upbringing. His father, Clay Bellinger, played four seasons in Major League Baseball and won two World Series titles with the New York Yankees. Growing up around clubhouses and professional players gave Cody early exposure to the demands of the sport.

Bellinger attended Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona, where his size, left-handed power, and athleticism quickly separated him from his peers. Though not universally viewed as a can't-miss prospect at the time, his combination of raw strength and defensive flexibility intrigued scouts. The Dodgers selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, betting on upside over polish.

Dodgers Breakout and Rookie of the Year

Bellinger debuted with the Dodgers in 2017 and immediately made an impact. He launched 39 home runs as a rookie, showing advanced plate discipline and surprising defensive aptitude at first base and in the outfield. That performance earned him the National League Rookie of the Year Award and established him as one of the sport's brightest young stars.

His early success was not limited to power. Bellinger's baserunning instincts, strong arm, and smooth athleticism allowed the Dodgers to deploy him wherever needed, increasing his overall value and cementing his everyday role.

Harry How/Getty Images

2019 MVP Season

The peak arrived in 2019. At age 24, Bellinger produced a dominant campaign, hitting .305 with 47 home runs, 115 RBI, and 15 stolen bases while playing elite defense. He posted one of the highest WAR totals in baseball and won the National League MVP Award by a comfortable margin.

That season placed him in rare company. Bellinger became one of only a handful of players to win MVP, Gold Glove, and Rookie of the Year awards before turning 25, joining a short list that includes Johnny Bench and Dustin Pedroia. It was widely assumed that a historic long-term payday awaited him.

Injuries and Decline

Bellinger's trajectory changed abruptly during the 2020 postseason, when he dislocated his shoulder celebrating a home run. Surgery followed, and the aftereffects lingered far longer than expected. From 2021 through 2023, his offensive numbers cratered. He struggled to drive the ball, his swing mechanics faltered, and his confidence appeared shaken.

Across nearly 300 games during that stretch, Bellinger hit just .203 with a sub-.650 OPS. Despite flashes of defensive excellence, the overall production no longer matched his pedigree. After the 2022 season, the Dodgers declined to tender him a contract, effectively ending his first chapter in Los Angeles.

Chicago Rebound

Bellinger signed a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Cubs, betting on himself to restore his value. Healthy again, he delivered. He hit .307 with 26 home runs and an .881 OPS, finishing in the top 10 of National League MVP voting. The season reestablished him as a premium two-way player and revived interest across the league.

Unable to secure the long-term contract he sought, Bellinger re-signed with Chicago on a three-year, $80 million deal that included opt-outs, preserving flexibility while guaranteeing significant income.

New York Yankees Resurgence

After a down year in 2024, the Cubs traded Bellinger to the Yankees as part of a roster reshuffle. In New York, he thrived. Batting behind Aaron Judge, Bellinger delivered power, on-base ability, and elite defense across multiple positions. His performance ranked among the best all-around seasons of his career outside of 2019, convincing the Yankees he was central to their future.

That showing culminated in a major long-term commitment, validating his decision to prioritize health, adaptability, and defense during his comeback.

Contracts, Salaries & Career Earnings

Bellinger's earnings reflect the volatility of his career arc. Early in his prime, he set arbitration records. In 2020, he signed a one-year, $11.5 million deal, the largest ever for a first-year arbitration-eligible player, a dramatic jump from the $605,000 he earned the previous season. Subsequent arbitration raises followed before his non-tender in 2022.

His rebound with Chicago produced a $17.5 million one-year contract, followed by a three-year, $80 million deal with opt-outs that preserved his leverage. In January 2026, Bellinger reached the largest agreement of his career, signing a five-year, $162.5 million contract with the Yankees. The deal included a $20 million signing bonus, opt-outs after the second and third seasons, and a full no-trade clause. Taken together, his career earnings place him among the most financially successful position players of his generation despite the dramatic mid-career downturn.

Who's Richer?

Cody
Bellinger

Compare!

Jennifer
Aniston