Right-handed pitcher Collin McHugh has signed a deal with the Atlanta Braves. The deal is for two years and is worth $10 million. There is also a $6 million option for a third season to go along with a $1 million buyout. McHugh is no stranger to the Atlanta area, despite being born in Illinois. He went to high school at Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, Georgia before moving to Berry College right outside of Rome. However, his career did not begin anywhere near Atlanta.
The Career of Collin McHugh
In 2008, the New York Mets selected Collin McHugh in the 18th round of the MLB Draft. While he didn’t explode onto the MiLB scene, he pitched respectably. In 2009, he posted a 2.76 ERA for the Short-Season Class A Brooklyn. He would go on to post another sub-three ERA between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo in 2012. This preceded his first call to the big leagues, where he put up an ERA near eight in eight games. After 20 more minor league games in 2013, he received another call. However, he put up an ERA over ten. He was traded to the Colorado Rockies midway through the season.
Times did not get better for McHugh, who was selected off waivers by the Houston Astros before 2014. Once there, he flourished, going 11–9 with a 2.73 ERA and he finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He would go on to finish in the top ten in Cy Young Award voting in 2015 with 19 wins. Another small dip caused the team to put him in the bullpen before 2018, where he flourished once again. Before 2020, he signed with the Boston Red Sox, however he opted out of the season due to COVID-19. After this, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he posted a 1.55 ERA, a 256 ERA+, and recorded his first career save.
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