Colin Michael Poche Bio
Colin Michael Poche is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Born January 17, 1994, Poche made his Major League Baseball debut in 2019 and has appeared in MLB games for the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and New York Mets.
Early Life and Background
Colin Michael Poche grew up in Flower Mound, Texas, and attended Marcus High School where he established himself as a standout high school pitcher. As a senior in 2012 he posted a 7–3 record with a 0.21 earned run average, drawing scouting attention that led to his selection in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.
Poche elected to attend the University of Arkansas after high school and later transferred to Dallas Baptist University. His college career included overcoming a significant arm injury; he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2014 and did not pitch in 2015 while recovering and later returned to full activity for the 2016 season.
Path to Baseball
Poche was initially drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012 but did not sign, choosing the collegiate route to develop his game. After two seasons at Arkansas and a transfer to Dallas Baptist University, he posted a 9–1 record with a 2.38 ERA as a redshirt junior in 2016, prompting the Arizona Diamondbacks to select him in the 14th round of the 2016 MLB draft.
Upon signing with the Diamondbacks, Poche began his professional career in the lower levels of the minor leagues and advanced through Arizona’s system before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays organization as part of a transaction to complete an earlier deal. His strong minor league performance in 2018 established his reputation as a reliable relief arm and accelerated his path to the major leagues.
Colin Michael Poche Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Poche debuted professionally in 2016 with the Hillsboro Hops at the Low–A level after the Diamondbacks drafted him, posting a 3.19 ERA across his first professional innings. He split 2017 between Single–A Kane County and High–A Visalia, combining for low ERA numbers and demonstrating consistent control as a reliever.
In 2018 Poche began at Double–A with the Jackson Generals and was later acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays on May 1, 2018. He finished that year strong across Montgomery and Triple–A Durham, recording a 0.82 ERA in 66 combined innings and earning recognition on the 2018 MLB Pipeline team of the year and Rays Minor League Reliever of the Year honors.
Tampa Bay Rays Breakthrough (2019–2024)
Poche opened 2019 with Triple–A Durham before the Rays selected his contract on June 8, 2019, and he made his major league debut that night versus the Boston Red Sox. He appeared in 51 games for Tampa Bay in 2019, all in relief, and compiled a 5–5 record with a 4.70 ERA as he adjusted to major-league hitters and high-leverage innings.
Following the 2019 season, Poche’s career encountered a major setback when a torn ulnar collateral ligament required Tommy John surgery announced in July 2020, causing him to miss the 2020 season and delaying his return to the majors. After recovery and a 2022 season that included returns to both Triple–A and the Rays’ bullpen, Poche remained a regular relief option for Tampa Bay through the 2024 season, making 43 appearances in 2024 with a 3.86 ERA across 37 1/3 innings.
On November 22, 2024, the Tampa Bay Rays non-tendered Poche, making him a free agent and concluding the primary multi-year phase of his time with the Rays organization. Across his major-league tenure through the 2025 season, Poche’s aggregated MLB statistics included a 23–14 win–loss record, a 4.01 earned run average, and 241 strikeouts.
Washington Nationals Stint (2025)
In February 2025 Poche signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals and made the team’s Opening Day roster after his contract was selected on March 22. He made 13 appearances for Washington, recording 10 strikeouts across 8 2/3 innings while posting an 11.42 ERA, and was designated for assignment on May 1 following the Nationals’ roster move to sign Andrew Chafin.
New York Mets Tenure (2025)
Poche signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on May 7, 2025, and worked in Triple–A Syracuse where he made 12 appearances with a 4.26 ERA, 13 strikeouts and one save in 12 2/3 innings. The Mets selected his contract and added him to the active roster on June 27, 2025, and he made a single major-league appearance that day.
After being designated for assignment by the Mets on June 29, Poche elected free agency on July 1, briefly re-signed a minor league contract on July 4, and was later released by the organization on August 2. Those moves left him a free agent following the 2025 season.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Poche has worked primarily as a relief pitcher throughout his professional career, projecting value in late-inning spots and multi-inning relief appearances. His minor-league track record of low earned run averages and his MLB strikeout total through 2025 reflect an ability to miss barrels and provide innings stability when healthy; his recovery from Tommy John surgery also underscores his resilience and commitment to return to form.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Poche’s career include his MLB debut on June 8, 2019, recognition as the Rays Minor League Reliever of the Year and selection to the 2018 MLB Pipeline team of the year, and his return to major-league action following Tommy John surgery. The Rays’ decision to non-tender him after the 2024 season marked a significant roster turning point that led to subsequent opportunities with Washington and New York in 2025.
Colin Michael Poche Career Wins
Through the conclusion of the 2025 season, Colin Michael Poche’s major-league record included 23 wins against 14 losses, along with 241 strikeouts and a 4.01 earned run average. Those totals capture his contributions across relief appearances for Tampa Bay, Washington, and New York.
Major League Highlights
Poche’s first major-league season in 2019 established him as a regular bullpen arm for the Tampa Bay Rays, and his 2019 workload of 51 relief appearances remains a defining early-career achievement. His 2024 season with the Rays featured 43 appearances and a sub-4.00 ERA, underscoring a productive period before entering free agency.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Before reaching the majors, Poche’s 2018 campaign across Double–A and Triple–A earned leaguewide recognition for relief work, including a combined 0.82 ERA in 66 innings and postseason invitations such as the Arizona Fall League following the 2017 season. Those performances played a central role in his rapid promotion to the major leagues the following year.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of roster movement and short stints for Poche. He began the year with the Washington Nationals, struggled in limited big-league appearances and was designated for assignment in early May. A subsequent minor league signing with the New York Mets produced a Triple–A stint of 12 appearances and a brief return to the majors on June 27, followed by designation for assignment and eventual release in August.
The sequence of transactions in 2025 left Poche as a free agent at season’s end, with the season reflecting both the volatility of relief pitching roles and the continuing effort to reestablish consistent big-league production after prior injury and recovery periods.