Every time Yasiel Puig steps out onto the field, his unbridled enthusiasm takes center stage in a game that usually lacks intensely engaging players. While Puig’s antics have made him one of the more polarizing figures in baseball, his energy and sensational athleticism have allowed him to be a mainstay on a Dodgers team that is currently the favorite to make the World Series coming out of the National League. Love him or hate him, it can’t be denied that Puig’s confident presence is uniquely refreshing, which has slowly become respected by Dodgers and baseball fans in general. Given how productive Puig has been for the Dodgers, the question remains of how much is the outspoken right fielder actually worth?
Yasiel Puig’s Net Worth as of 2017: $28.4 Million
How did the excitable Cuban native get there. And how have Puig’s accomplishments with the Dodgers enabled him to be this wealthy? Let’s find out.
2013-2015
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 14: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he hits a RBI triple in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 14, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Two months into the 2013 season, Puig was called up by the Dodgers due to his impressive capabilities in the outfield. While Puig showcased his immense arm strength in his first major league game, it was his bat that got him the most immediate recognition as he became the first Dodger to have a multi-homer game in one of his first two appearances. 15 games into the season, Puig already had 27 hits, which tied him with Joe DiMaggio (1936) and Terry Pendleton (1984) for second-most all-time. By the end of the year, Puig had posted impressive hitting numbers across the board, the most notably of which were a .319 batting average and a .534 slugging percentage.
Coming into his second year in the majors, Puig was already a prominent part of the Dodgers roster and continued his excellence at the plate in 2014. By mid-May, Puig had completed his eighth consecutive game hitting at least one extra-base hit and at least one RBI, the longest streak by a Dodger. Puig’s prolific success on offense earned him his first (and thus far only) All-Star selection and he was also selected to participate in the Home Run Derby. By the end of the season, Puig had once again put up spectacular numbers at the plate as he set career highs in RBI’s (69) and hits (165).
While Puig wanted to continue his dominance in 2015, he experienced left hamstring issues throughout the season, which inhibited him from emulating his glowing successes from his first two years in the majors. Still, Puig was a threat at the plate, particularly as a power hitter as he put up 11 home runs and 38 RBI’s in 79 games.
He reportedly earned $4.5 million in 2015.
2016-Present
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 31: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on July 31, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Still feeling the lingering affects of his hamstring injury from the previous year, Puig’s production at the plate became anemic. On August 2, Puig was sent down to the minors and was even told by the Dodgers that he would most likely be traded or demoted. However, Puig rejoined the team in September and was able to knock in 45 RBI’s despite his sporadic playing time in the majors.
This year, Puig has looked every bit like the tenacious power hitter that he was during his first two years in the league. He has slugged 19 home runs on the season (tied for a career high) while knocking in 52 RBI’s. While his batting average has not been impressive by his standards (.255), his all-around production as an offensive threat has been essential to the Dodgers success this year.
Going on just his fifth year in the majors, Puig has already made a tremendous impact on the sport with his rowdy personality and tenacious contributions on both offense and defense. While some may frown upon Puig’s outbursts, it can’t be denied that the young outfielder has attracted the attention and wonder of younger sports fans that baseball is sorely lacking. If Puig can continue to be a consistent contributor for the Dodgers, his unique and at times aggravating exuberance may be a blessing in disguise for a sport that already has enough reserved and stoic athletes.
He reportedly earned $6.5 million in 2017.
