Samardzija's Eight-Figure Salary Tops Hoosier Big Leaguers
April 8, 2016
By Pete Cava
PBR Indiana Correspondent
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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, a native of Merrillville who grew up in Valparaiso, is the highest-salaried Indiana native in the major leagues this year.
The 31-year-old right-hander will earn $10,800,000 this season, according to figures compiled by USA Today.
A standout wide receiver at Notre Dame who forsook the gridiron for a career on the diamond, Samardzija is one of a record 127 big leaguers earning eight-figure salaries this year. According to USA Today, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw rakes in the greatest haul at $33 million (including signing bonuses and deferrals).
Along with Samardzija, six other Hoosier natives have million-dollar 2016 contracts – Cardinals starter Lance Lynn (Indianapolis), relievers Drew Storen (Indianapolis) of the Blue Jays, Tommy Hunter (Indianapolis) of the Indians, and Clayton Richard (Lafayette) of the Cubs, along with Mariners first baseman Adam Lind (Muncie) and Royals backup catcher Drew Butera (Evansville).
Lynn and Hunter opened the season on the disabled list.
At the other end of the spectrum is St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker. The Muncie native’s current contract is for $507,500, the big league minimum
The Compete List
| NAME | BIRTHPLACE | POS | TEAM | 2016 SALARY |
| Jeff Samardzija | Merrillville | RHP | Giants | $10,800,000 |
| Drew Storen | Indianapolis | RHP | Blue Jays | $8,375,000 |
| Adam Lind | Muncie | 1B | Mariners | $8,000,000 |
| *Lance Lynn | Indianapolis | RHP | Cardinals | $7,500.00 |
| *Tommy Hunter | Indianapolis | RHP | Indians | $2,000,000 |
| Clayton Richard | Lafayette | LHP | Cubs | $2,000.00 |
| Drew Butera | Evansville | C | Royals | $1,162,500 |
| *Jarrod Parker | Fort Wayne | RHP | Athletics | $850,000 |
| Kyle Gibson | Greenfield | RHP | Twins | $587,500 |
| *Aaron Barrett | Evansville | RHP | Nationals | $519,400 |
| Tucker Barnhart | Indianapolis | C | Red | $517,500 |
| Jerad Eickhoff | Evansville | RHP | Phillies | $516,000 |
| Kevin Kiermaier | Fort Wayne | OF | Rays | $514,400 |
| Josh Phegley | Terre Haute | C | Athletics | $512,500 |
| Jeremy Hazelbaker | Muncie | OF | Cardinals | $507,500 |
*Disabled List
Pete Cava is the author of Indiana-Born Major League Baseball Players: A Biographical Dictionary; 1871-2014, now available from McFarland Publishers