Collin McHugh, an Atlanta Braves right-hander, has announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.
He will retire as a player and is looking forward to what comes next.
“Collin McHugh announces his retirement from baseball. #Braves,” Atlanta sports journalist and host Maria Martin tweeted.
She shared McHugh’s Instagram post, which was a passionate combination of reflections on baseball and what it meant to be a major leaguer.
He claimed he was drafted “likely as a favor” to his college coach, and that he “wasn’t supposed to make it out of A-ball.”
He reflected on his experience, praised the six MLB organizations that have employed him, and stated that after 16 years, “it’s time to hang ’em up.”
Oh, and he also mentioned that he will most likely be involved in the game in some manner, which is fantastic: baseball could benefit from a narrative of unlikely success like this.
McHugh did manage to have a successful career.
With a 3.72 ERA in 992.2 innings, he was more than just a roster filler; in his heyday, he was a versatile pitching weapon who could thrive in any capacity, from starter to middle relief to multi-inning arm.
He reached his best as a starter with the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2017, before becoming a great reliever in Houston (2018-19), Tampa Bay, and Atlanta, where he completed his career.
After posting a 2.60 ERA for the Braves in 2022, it was evident that he didn’t have it last year (4.30 ERA, 70 hits allowed in 58.2 innings).
The baseball universe is excited to learn what happens next for the quality right-hander.
