MLB's Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool Rewards Top Young Talent

Bobby Witt Jr. leads the 2024 pre-arbitration bonus pool with over $3 million, recognizing exceptional early-career performances across Major League Baseball.

The 2024 MLB pre-arbitration bonus pool distributed $50 million to 101 players, rewarding high-performing athletes not yet eligible for salary arbitration.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. received the highest payout at $3,077,595 after a standout season, including a batting title and second-place finish in AL MVP voting.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes ranked second with $2,152,057, despite debuting in May and earning NL Rookie of the Year honors.
Other top recipients included Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson ($2,007,178) and Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras ($1,722,174).
The bonus pool system, established in 2022, aims to fairly compensate young players based on performance metrics and award results before they qualify for arbitration.