Collin McHugh is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on June 19, 1987, in Naperville, Illinois, and attended Berry College in Georgia. McHugh was drafted by the New York Mets in the 18th round of the 2008 MLB draft.
McHugh made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2012, but he struggled in his first few seasons. He was eventually traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2013, but he was released by the team before the end of the season. McHugh then signed with the Houston Astros in 2014 and found success with the team.
In 2015, McHugh had a breakout season with the Astros, posting a 19-7 record with a 3.89 ERA. He helped lead the team to the playoffs, where they advanced to the American League Division Series. McHugh continued to pitch well for the Astros over the next few seasons, but he battled injuries in 2018 and 2019.
McHugh became a free agent after the 2019 season and signed with the Boston Red Sox for the 2020 season. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shortened the season, and McHugh only appeared in four games for the Red Sox. He became a free agent again after the season and announced his retirement from baseball in April 2021.
Throughout his career, McHugh was known for his versatility as a pitcher. He could start games or come out of the bullpen, and he was effective in both roles. He also had a reputation for being a cerebral pitcher who studied the game and his opponents extensively.
Off the field, McHugh was known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Ashley, founded the "The Players Alliance," a nonprofit organization that aims to increase diversity in baseball and provide opportunities for underprivileged youth. McHugh was also involved in various other charitable causes throughout his career.
Overall, Collin McHugh had a successful career in MLB, despite some early struggles. He was a reliable pitcher who could be counted on to give his team quality innings, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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