Clayton Kershaw Net Worth: LA Dodgers' strikeout leader's fortune, explored

In April 2022, Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck out the 2,697th batter of his career. As such, he overtook Dodgers legend Don Sutton at the top spot of the franchise's all-time strikeout list.

It was a massive milestone as Kershaw was back in action after suffering an injury-laden season in 2021 wherein he only managed 121 innings, the lowest of any full season in his career.

Clayton Kershaw has been in the MLB for a long time. The Texas native was drafted seventh overall by the Dodgers in 2006. He wasted no time inking a deal with the team and was given a $2.3 million signing bonus.

"#dodgers ace and future Hall of Famer, Clayton Kershaw, is throwing a live bullpen session on his Instagram." - @ Louis Addeo-Weiss

In his first season as a starter with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008, Kershaw compiled a record of 5-5 and an ERA of 4.26. Prior to the 2009 season, he received his first big-league deal, a 1-year contract worth $404,000.

After re-signing for $440,000 and $500,000 in 2010 and 2011 respectively, Kershaw was named the 2011 NL Cy Young Award winner. Clayton Kershaw won the honor after leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts that year.

Kershaw's contract value saw a huge jump in 2012, when the 23-year-old penned a 2-year deal worth $19 million. He exceeded even the most ambitious of expectations, winning back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2013 and 2014.

The 2014 season was particularly special. Kershaw had inked a massive 7-year deal worth $215 million in January of that year and won the NL Cy Young Award and the NL MVP Award.

In 2017, Kershaw once again led the MLB in both wins and ERA. He signed a $93 million extension through the 2021 season. Since then, the Dodgers have been wary of his injury issues and have not given him contracts exceeding one year in length. He signed 1-year deals worth $20 million and $17 million for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

"Clayton Kershaw passes Don Sutton for first place as the Dodgers’ all-time strikeout leader!" - @ Jomboy Media

Taking into account his contract value over the last decade-and-a-half, we can surmise Kershaw's personal net worth to be in the realm of $110 million to $120 million as of 2023.

Clayton Kershaw aims to give his team more reasons to believe in him this year

Kershaw was meant to represent Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Captained by Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout, the team is being touted as one of the best international baseball teams ever. However, Kershaw was forced to pull out due to insurers being unsure of his health status. If Kershaw can focus on being as good as he was in 2022 in 2023, he will have proven himself to be one of baseball's best, if he hasn't already.