Right-hander Collin McHugh of the Atlanta Braves declared that his career as an MLB pitcher is coming to an end.
He is prepaBaseball player Collin McHugh declares his retirement. #Braves, tweeted Maria Martin, a sports anchor and personality in Atlanta.red for the next chapter in his life and will be retiring as a player.
She reposted McHugh’s touching Instagram post, which was a compilation of reflections on baseball and what it meant to be a major league player.
He claimed that he “wasn’t supposed to make it out of A-ball” and that his draft selection was “probably as a favor” to his college coach.
After reflecting on the experience and expressing gratitude to the six MLB teams that hired him, he said that, after 16 years, “it’s time to hang ’em up.”
Oh, and he said he will probably still be involved with the game in some way, which is great news because baseball could really use a success story like his.
McHugh did succeed in finishing a remarkable career.
He was more than just a roster filler in his peak, as seen by his 3.72 ERA in 992.2 innings pitched. As a versatile pitcher, he could succeed in any capacity, including starter, middle relief, and multi-inning arm.
With the Houston Astros, he reached his prime as a starter from 2014 to 2017. Later in his career, he turned into a dominating reliever in Houston (2018–19), Tampa Bay, and Atlanta, where he ended it.
It was evident last year (4.30 ERA, 70 hits allowed in 58.2 innings) that he simply did not have it after recording a 2.60 ERA with the Braves in 2022.
The baseball world is eager to see what the reliable right-hander will do next.
