The Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is projected to receive the highest bonus from the 2025 MLB pre-arbitration bonus pool, according to estimates released by the Associated Press on Friday. Crow-Armstrong stands as the only player forecasted to earn over $1 million in this year’s bonus allocation.
Top 10 Players Expected to Receive the Largest 2025 Bonus Pool Allocations
The latest projections allocate bonuses to promising talent across MLB teams, with Crow-Armstrong topping the list at $1.09 million. Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes follows in second place with a projected bonus of $961,256. The full top 10 list includes notable prospects and established young stars:
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs ($1.09 million)
2. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates ($961,256)
3. James Wood, Washington Nationals ($863,835)
4. Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks ($798,397)
5. Hunter Brown, Houston Astros ($786,838)
6. Cristopher Sánchez, Philadelphia Phillies ($764,854)
7. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds ($717,479)
8. Carlos Narváez, Boston Red Sox ($703,007)
9. Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox ($685,366)
10. Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers ($665,470)
Details Behind the Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool System
The bonus pool, initiated in December 2022, distributes a $50 million fund among the top 100 pre-arbitration players. Allocations are calculated based on award nominations, All-MLB honors, and MLB’s Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metrics. For hitters, WAR is derived from batting, baserunning, fielding, and positional adjustments. Pitcher WAR is assessed using a combination of Baseball Reference’s runs allowed per nine innings and FanGraphs’ Fielding Independent Pitching, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Associated Press further explained that players nominated for multiple award bonuses will receive only the highest value among the available awards. The award breakdown is as follows:
– MVP or Cy Young Award: $2.5 million for first place, $1.75 million for second, $1.5 million for third, and $1 million for fourth or fifth.
– All-MLB Honors: $1 million for First Team selections, $500,000 for Second Team.
– Rookie of the Year: Bonuses range from $750,000 for first place to $150,000 for fifth place.
Recent Bonus Pool Trends and Notable Recipients
Last season, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. led the pre-arbitration bonus pool with a payout exceeding $3 million, thanks largely to his runner-up finish in AL MVP voting. Paul Skenes also earned over $2 million the previous year after finishing third in NL Cy Young voting, alongside Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, who placed fourth in AL MVP voting.
Other players who surpassed the $1 million mark in 2024 include Milwaukee Brewers’ William Contreras, Royals’ Cole Ragans, Boston Red Sox’s Jarren Duran, San Diego Padres’ Jackson Merrill, and New York Yankees’ Luis Gil.
Paul Skenes Reflects on Rising Bonus Prospects Amid 2025 MLB Evaluations
Crow-Armstrong, who earned $342,128 from the bonus pool in 2024, shared his thoughts on the upcoming bonus prospects, stating,
“aware of it after last year, but I have no clue of the numbers.”
—Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs outfielder
Reports now indicate that Crow-Armstrong is positioned to more than double his previous bonus, far exceeding his $771,000 salary from the Cubs last season. Meanwhile, Paul Skenes’ $961,256 projection places him just behind Crow-Armstrong, underscoring his growing impact within the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and his leash on the 2025 MLB bonus conversation.
What the Bonus Pool Signals for the Future of MLB Talent
The pre-arbitration bonus pool reflects MLB’s efforts to financially reward young players for their early contributions and competitive impact. As the system continues to emphasize performance metrics such as WAR and award recognition, players like Crow-Armstrong and Skenes are among those emerging as key figures in the league’s future talent landscape. Their projected bonuses signal the increasing value placed on rising stars and highlight the evolving nature of player compensation in baseball.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did anyone pull the Paul Skenes?
A. The family first communicated with Fanatics Collect on January 2. Nearly three weeks later, Topps shared news that an 11-year-old found the Skenes card in one hobby box.
Q. How does Livvy Dunne know Paul Skenes?
A. On that website, Dunne shared how she and the pitcher first met while appearing on SportsCenter. Skenes was then pitching for LSU, where Dunne had gained fame as a gymnast. Dunne mentioned on SportsCenter, “I noticed him in the dugout and thought he was cute.”
Q. How much did Paul Skenes get?
A. Paul Skenes progressed through the MLB’s minor league teams and made his major league debut in 2024. In 2023, he received a $9.2 million signing bonus. The following year, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates, earning $740,000 before arbitration.