Colin David Rea Bio
Colin David Rea (born July 1, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Since beginning his professional career in 2011, Rea has established himself as a versatile pitcher with experience across Major League Baseball, the Minor Leagues, and Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. He earned recognition as the 2019 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year during his time with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Rea has played for multiple MLB organizations including the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, and Milwaukee Brewers, in addition to his international tenure with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Early Life and Background
Colin Rea grew up in Cascade, Iowa, where he attended Cascade High School and graduated in 2009. His hometown would later celebrate his professional success in a unique way during the 2025 season when The Corner Taproom, a local bar in Cascade, offered free drinks to patrons for every game Rea started where he recorded at least two strikeouts.
Following high school, Rea pursued higher education and played college baseball at multiple institutions. He began his collegiate career at the University of Northern Iowa before transferring to St. Petersburg College and then completing his studies at Indiana State University. In the summer of 2010, Rea played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer leagues for college players.
Path to Professional Baseball
Rea entered the Major League Baseball draft after his time at Indiana State University. The San Diego Padres selected him in the 12th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the organization and made his professional debut that same year with the Low-A Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League, where he posted a 3-4 record with a 2.21 earned run average in 15 appearances.
He continued developing within the Padres farm system over the next several seasons. In 2012 with the Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, Rea went 5-10 with a 4.11 ERA and 80 strikeouts across 103 innings. He split 2013 between Fort Wayne and the Advanced Single-A Lake Elsinore Storm, logging a 2-6 record with a 4.08 ERA. His breakthrough minor league season came in 2014 with Lake Elsinore, where he posted an 11-9 record with a 3.88 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 139 innings pitched.
Colin David Rea Career
San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins (2015-2016)
Rea began the 2015 season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions and dominated early, recording an exceptional 1.08 ERA in 12 games. On August 11, 2015, the Padres selected him to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues. Rea made his MLB debut that day against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing three runs in his first major league appearance.
On July 29, 2016, Rea was traded along with Andrew Cashner and Tayron Guerrero to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Jarred Cosart, Carter Capps, Josh Naylor, and Luis Castillo. He made his Marlins debut on July 30 in an 11-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. However, his start ended abruptly after recording just one out in the fourth inning due to a right elbow strain, landing him on the 15-day disabled list on July 31.
Return to San Diego and Injury Recovery (2016-2018)
On August 1, 2016, Rea and Luis Castillo were returned to the San Diego Padres in a notable reversal. The Marlins organization felt they had received an injured player. On August 5, 2016, doctors diagnosed Rea with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. After an unsuccessful platelet rich plasma injection, Rea underwent Tommy John surgery in November 2016. The recovery process required him to miss the entire 2017 season.
Rea returned to the Padres organization in 2018, appearing in 18 games between Triple-A El Paso and Double-A San Antonio with a 3-5 record and 5.73 ERA. On November 20, 2018, the Padres designated Rea for assignment, and he was released six days later.
Chicago Cubs First Stint (2019-2021)
On January 7, 2019, Rea signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization. The move proved transformative for his career. With the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in 2019, Rea delivered an outstanding season, earning the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year award. He posted a remarkable 14-4 record with a 3.95 ERA in 26 appearances, demonstrating the form that had once made him a top prospect.
The Cubs selected Rea to their 40-man roster on November 4, 2019. He received a major league recall on July 30, 2020, appearing in nine games for Chicago that season with a 5.79 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 14 innings. Prior to the 2021 season, Rea was released by the Cubs on January 4, 2021, to pursue an opportunity in Japan.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2021-2022)
On January 7, 2021, Rea signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball. He made his NPB debut as a starter on June 3 against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars during interleague play. His time in Japan was interrupted by family circumstances when his wife gave birth in late July 2021. With the difficulty of leaving his family, Rea departed the Hawks on August 8, 2021. The organization acknowledged his commitment to his family.
Rea returned to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on December 19, 2021, signing a contract for the 2022 season. In 2022, he appeared in 23 games with a 5-6 record, 3.96 ERA, one hold, and 80 strikeouts in 100 innings. He became a free agent after the season.
Milwaukee Brewers (2021, 2023-2024)
On August 14, 2021, Rea signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. His contract was selected to the 40-man roster on September 29, and he made one appearance for the Brewers, pitching six innings while allowing five runs and recording five strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.
Rea returned to the Brewers organization on January 27, 2023, signing another minor league deal and beginning the season at Nashville. On April 13, 2023, his contract was selected to the active roster for a spot start against the San Diego Padres, where he pitched 5 and two-thirds innings while surrendering just one run and striking out six. By season’s end, Rea made 26 appearances for Milwaukee, 22 as a starter, posting a 4.55 ERA.
On November 2, 2023, Rea re-signed with Milwaukee on a one-year contract with a club option for 2025. The 2024 season proved to be his best in the major leagues. In 32 games (27 starts), he posted a 12-6 record with a 4.29 ERA and 135 strikeouts across 167 and two-thirds innings. The Brewers declined Rea’s option on November 4, 2024, making him a free agent.
Chicago Cubs Second Stint (2025-Present)
On January 13, 2025, Rea signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, returning to the organization where he had won Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2019. He emerged as a reliable starter throughout the season, making 32 appearances with 27 starts. Rea finished the 2025 season with an 11-7 record, a 3.95 ERA, and 127 strikeouts.
The relationship between Rea and his hometown strengthened during the 2025 season. During his August 20 start against the Milwaukee Brewers, Cubs broadcasters Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies bought mozzarella sticks for patrons at The Corner Taproom in Cascade, Iowa, after Rea induced an inning-ending double play against William Contreras.
On November 6, 2025, Rea signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract extension with the Cubs, securing his place with the organization for the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rea has developed a reputation as a durable workhorse pitcher capable of logging heavy innings. His ability to transition successfully between starting and relief roles across multiple organizations demonstrates his versatility. After recovering from Tommy John surgery, he has shown resilience and adaptability, performing effectively in both the Pacific Coast League and Nippon Professional Baseball before establishing himself as a reliable starter in the major leagues.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rea’s career has been marked by significant turning points. His MLB debut on August 11, 2015, represented the culmination of his path through the minor leagues. The 2019 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year award validated his resurgence following injury. His international experience in Japan with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks provided unique perspective and development. The 2024 season with Milwaukee, where he won 12 games with 135 strikeouts, served as his strongest major league campaign. His return to the Chicago Cubs in 2025 and subsequent contract extension through 2026 represent his current trajectory.
Colin David Rea Career Wins
Rea has accumulated wins across Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Minor Leagues throughout his professional career spanning from 2011 to present. His win total has grown steadily as he has transitioned into a starting role.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through June 26, 2026, Rea has compiled a 42-32 win-loss record in Major League Baseball with a 4.46 earned run average and 556 strikeouts across his career with the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers. His most productive MLB season came in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, where he went 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 32 appearances. The 2024 season with Milwaukee saw him post a 12-6 record in 27 starts with 135 strikeouts across 167 and two-thirds innings.
Nippon Professional Baseball and Minor League Wins
In Nippon Professional Baseball with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Rea combined for an 8-7 record with a 3.41 ERA and 118 strikeouts across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His standout minor league season came in 2019 with Triple-A Iowa, where he earned Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year honors while posting a 14-4 record with a 3.95 ERA. Earlier in his development, he won 11 games with Lake Elsinore in 2014 and accumulated additional wins across multiple levels of the Padres minor league system from 2011 through 2015.
| League | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (Career through 2025) | 42 | 32 | 4.46 | 556 |
| NPB (2021-2022) | 8 | 7 | 3.41 | 118 |
| Triple-A Iowa (2019) | 14 | 4 | 3.95 | Not available |
Colin David Rea Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Colin Rea maintains strong ties to his hometown of Cascade, Iowa. His connection to the local community was highlighted during the 2025 season when The Corner Taproom, a bar in Cascade, created a promotion tying Rea’s pitching performance to free drinks for patrons. The gesture demonstrated the pride his hometown takes in his professional achievements.
Personal Life
Rea is married. In late July 2021, his wife gave birth to their child, a life event that significantly impacted his career trajectory. The timing of his daughter’s birth coincided with his first season in Japan, making it difficult for Rea to balance his professional obligations with his family responsibilities. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks acknowledged his desire to prioritize his family, and Rea departed the team on August 8, 2021. This decision highlighted Rea’s commitment to being present for important family moments throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Colin Rea’s return to the Chicago Cubs organization and proved to be one of his most consistent major league campaigns. Signed to a one-year, $5 million contract in January, Rea appeared in 32 games with 27 starts, demonstrating the durability that has characterized his career. He finished with an 11-7 record, a 3.95 earned run average, and 127 strikeouts across the season.
The relationship between Rea and Cubs fans, particularly those in his home state of Iowa, grew throughout the season. The promotional partnership with The Corner Taproom in Cascade created a unique connection between his professional performance and his hometown community. Cubs broadcasters acknowledged his contributions during key moments, including buying food for patrons during his August start against Milwaukee.
Following his successful 2025 season, Rea and the Cubs agreed to a contract extension on November 6, 2025, worth $6.5 million for the 2026 season. The extension reflects the organization’s confidence in Rea as a reliable member of their pitching staff. His trajectory from injury-plagued prospect to Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year to established MLB starter demonstrates the resilience that has defined his professional career.