Connor Kok-Wy Joe Bio
Connor Kok-Wy Joe is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman who most recently played for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has appeared in MLB for the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Joe in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with the Giants in 2019. Joe is a Chinese American who grew up in Poway, California, and played college baseball at the University of San Diego.
Early Life and Background
Connor Kok-Wy Joe was born on August 16, 1992, in Poway, California, a suburb of San Diego. His father is Peter Joe, and his mother is Mee-Sun. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from China. His paternal grandparents settled in Connecticut, while his maternal grandparents moved to New York. After his parents married, they relocated to Poway, California, where they owned and operated two restaurants in San Diego.
Joe attended Poway High School in Poway, California, where he developed into a standout baseball player. His academic and athletic performance set the foundation for his collegiate career at the University of San Diego.
Path to Professional Baseball
Joe played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros at the University of San Diego from 2011 to 2013. He demonstrated consistent excellence at the plate, posting a .325 batting average with a .423 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage, hitting 19 home runs in 160 games over three seasons. In 2013, he earned recognition by being named to the All-West Coast Conference team.
Joe spent his collegiate summers playing in prestigious amateur wooden-bat leagues. In 2011, he played for the Kelowna Falcons of the West Coast League before enrolling at San Diego. The following summer, he played for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League. In 2013, he joined the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues, where he was named a league all-star.
Connor Kok-Wy Joe Career
San Francisco Giants (2019)
Joe began his professional career after being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round (39th overall) of the 2014 MLB draft. He made his professional debut in 2015 with the West Virginia Power and batted .245 with a .366 on-base percentage. He spent 2016 with the High-A Bradenton Marauders, slashing .277/.351/.392 in 107 games while primarily playing third base.
The Pirates traded Joe to the Atlanta Braves in August 2017 for Sean Rodriguez. He later joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in September 2017. In 2018 with the Dodgers, he split time between Double-A Tulsa Drillers and Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he set career highs with 17 home runs and 55 RBI while hitting .299.
On December 13, 2018, the Cincinnati Reds selected Joe in the Rule 5 draft. On March 21, 2019, the Reds traded him to the San Francisco Giants for Jordan Johnson and cash considerations. Joe became the Giants Opening Day left fielder and made his MLB debut that day, drawing a walk but going 0-for-4 in his opening series. The Giants designated him for assignment in April after he recorded one hit in 16 plate appearances. He cleared waivers and returned to the Dodgers organization, spending the remainder of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he batted .300/.427/.503 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI.
Colorado Rockies (2021–2022)
Joe opted out of the 2020 season following his diagnosis and surgery for testicular cancer, which had spread to his lungs. He became a free agent in November 2020 after recovering from treatment and being declared cancer-free in July 2020.
On November 20, 2020, Joe signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. On May 7, 2021, he was selected to the active roster. He primarily played first base while also appearing in left field. He finished the 2021 season hitting .285 with eight home runs and 35 RBI in 63 games before a hamstring injury ended his season in September. In 2022, Joe batted .238/.338/.359 with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 467 plate appearances.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2023–2024)
On December 18, 2022, the Colorado Rockies traded Joe back to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Nick Garcia. In 2023, Joe played 133 games for Pittsburgh and batted .247/.339/.421 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI. He played 123 games for the Pirates in 2024, slashing .228/.320/.368 with nine home runs and 36 RBI. On November 22, 2024, the Pirates non-tendered Joe, making him a free agent.
San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds (2025)
On February 8, 2025, Joe signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the San Diego Padres. He was optioned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas to begin the season. In seven games for San Diego, he went 0-for-9 with one walk before being designated for assignment.
On May 9, 2025, the Padres traded Joe to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Andrew Moore and cash considerations. In 35 games for Cincinnati, he batted .213/.286/.279 with four RBI and two stolen bases. On August 31, the Reds removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Triple-A Louisville. He elected free agency on September 29, 2025.
Seattle Mariners (2026–Present)
On February 10, 2026, Joe signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. He was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers to begin the regular season. On April 8, 2026, Joe was selected to Seattle’s active roster following an injury to Victor Robles, giving him another opportunity at the major league level.
Playing Style and Strengths
Joe is known as a contact-oriented hitter with solid plate discipline. He demonstrates patience at the plate and works deep counts, allowing him to draw walks and get on base. His defensive versatility allows him to play both corner outfield positions and first base, making him a valuable asset for teams seeking positional flexibility. His ability to hit for average and get on base has been a consistent part of his game throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joe’s journey through MLB has included several notable moments, from being drafted in the first round by the Pirates to making his MLB debut with the Giants. His battle with testicular cancer in 2020 and subsequent recovery was a significant chapter in his career. He has contributed solid seasons with multiple organizations, including his 2021 campaign with Colorado where he hit .285 and his 2023 season with Pittsburgh where he hit 11 home runs. His ability to bounce back from adversity and continue his professional career demonstrates his resilience and dedication to the sport.
Connor Kok-Wy Joe Career Wins
Joe has compiled his career statistics across seven MLB seasons through June 20, 2026. He has played for six different MLB franchises and continues to compete at the highest professional level. His career has included stints in the minor leagues where he has posted impressive numbers, including his 2018 season with the Dodgers organization where he hit 17 home runs with 55 RBI in Triple-A.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Joe made his MLB debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2019. His most productive MLB season came in 2021 with the Colorado Rockies, where he hit .285 with eight home runs and 35 RBI in 63 games before suffering a season-ending injury. He followed that with a 2022 season where he appeared in 467 plate appearances. His 2023 season with Pittsburgh saw him hit 11 home runs and drive in 42 runs while playing 133 games.
Minor League Achievements
Joe has been a strong performer in minor league play throughout his career. His standout season came in 2018 with the Dodgers organization, where he combined to hit .299 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. His 2019 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City saw him bat .300 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI.
| Competition Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career (through June 20, 2026) | Multiple Seasons | .238 | 36 | 148 |
| Triple-A (2018 – Oklahoma City) | Full Season | .299 | 17 | 55 |
Connor Kok-Wy Joe Family
Family Background and Heritage
Joe comes from a Chinese American family background. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from China. His paternal grandparents settled in Connecticut, while his maternal grandparents moved to New York. After Joe’s parents married, they moved to Poway, California, where they established roots in the San Diego area. Joe’s family owned and operated two restaurants in San Diego during his upbringing.
Personal Life
Joe and his wife Kylie reside in Arizona. They met at the University of San Diego, where Joe played baseball and Kylie played collegiate softball. They married in November 2018. The couple welcomed their daughter in December 2022. Joe maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging year for Joe as he split time between two organizations. He began the season with the San Diego Padres after signing a one-year, $1 million contract in February. He was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to begin the season and appeared in only seven games for the Padres, going 0-for-9 at the plate with one walk before being designated for assignment.
In May 2025, the Padres traded Joe to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Andrew Moore and cash considerations. He joined the Reds and appeared in 35 games, where he batted .213 with a .286 on-base percentage and a .279 slugging percentage, recording four RBI and two stolen bases. In late August, the Reds removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Triple-A Louisville. He elected free agency at the end of September, concluding a difficult season that saw him struggle at the plate with limited opportunities.
Following the 2025 season, Joe signed with the Seattle Mariners in February 2026, giving him an opportunity for a fresh start with a new organization. The Mariners assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma, and his performance there earned him a promotion to the active roster in April 2026 following an injury to Victor Robles. This represented another chance for Joe to establish himself at the major league level and work toward more consistent production in his next opportunity.