Colin Poche Bio
Colin Michael Poche is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Born on January 17, 1994, Poche made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays after developing through the minor league system. Over the course of his career, he has also pitched for the Washington Nationals and the New York Mets, working primarily as a left-handed reliever. His journey through professional baseball has included Tommy John surgery, a successful return to the majors, and stints with several organizations.
Early Life and Background
Colin Michael Poche grew up in Flower Mound, Texas, where he attended Marcus High School. As a senior during the 2012 season, he posted a 7–3 record with a 0.21 earned run average (ERA), drawing attention from professional scouts. His performance that year led to the Baltimore Orioles selecting him in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB draft, but Poche opted not to sign and instead pursued a college education. He chose to attend the University of Arkansas, where he began his college baseball career and continued to develop his skills as a pitcher.
After two years at Arkansas, Poche underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2014 and did not pitch during the 2015 season. He then transferred to Dallas Baptist University to continue his college career. In 2016, as a redshirt junior, Poche delivered one of his strongest seasons, pitching to a 9–1 record with a 2.38 ERA across 16 starts. His college performance helped establish him as a prospect worthy of selection in that year’s MLB draft.
Path to Baseball
Following his standout 2016 college season at Dallas Baptist University, Poche was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 14th round of the 2016 MLB draft. He signed with the organization and began his professional career that summer with the Hillsboro Hops, Arizona’s Low–A affiliate, where he posted a 1–2 record and a 3.19 ERA across 31 innings. The following season, he advanced through the system with the Single–A Kane County Cougars and the High–A Visalia Rawhide, combining for a 3–1 record and a 1.25 ERA in 50 and one-third innings of relief work. After the 2017 season, he also appeared in the Arizona Fall League to gain additional experience.
Poche opened 2018 with the Jackson Generals at the Double–A level before being traded midseason. On May 1, 2018, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired him as a player to be named later to complete the Steven Souza trade from earlier that year. After a brief stint with the Montgomery Biscuits, he was promoted to the Triple–A Durham Bulls of the International League. Between both levels in 2018, he posted a 0.82 ERA across 66 innings, earning recognition as a top minor league relief prospect and setting the stage for his eventual call-up to the majors.
Colin Poche Career
Arizona Diamondbacks (2016–2018)
Poche began his professional career in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2016, working as a reliever in the lower levels of the minor leagues. With the Hillsboro Hops, he adjusted to professional hitters and gained valuable innings, finishing the year with a 3.19 ERA. In 2017, he split time between Kane County and Visalia, where his 1.25 ERA demonstrated significant improvement and durability in relief roles.
His success in 2017 led to an assignment to the Arizona Fall League, a prestigious showcase for top prospects. He started 2018 with the Jackson Generals, continuing to build his resume as a reliable left-handed reliever before being acquired by the Rays midway through the season.
Tampa Bay Rays Breakthrough (2018–2024)
After joining the Rays organization in May 2018, Poche was named to the 2018 MLB Pipeline team of the year following his 0.82 ERA across two minor league levels. He was also recognized as the Rays Minor League Reliever of the Year, marking him as a key bullpen prospect for the franchise. He returned to Triple–A Durham to begin the 2019 season, and on June 8, 2019, his contract was selected and he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. That same night, he made his MLB debut against the Boston Red Sox.
During the 2019 season, Poche made 51 major league appearances, all in relief, compiling a 5–5 record and a 4.70 ERA. In July 2020, the Rays announced that Poche would miss the entire abbreviated 2020 season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that required Tommy John surgery. He was placed on the 60-day injured list in February 2021 and did not pitch professionally during the 2021 season as he continued his recovery.
Poche returned to action in 2022, making six relief appearances with Triple–A Durham and 64 relief appearances with Tampa Bay during the regular season, re-establishing himself as a contributor in the Rays bullpen. In 2024, he made 43 appearances for the Rays, posting a 3.86 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 37 and one-third innings pitched. On November 22, 2024, the Rays non–tendered him, making him a free agent.
Washington Nationals Era (2025)
On February 7, 2025, Poche signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. After a strong spring showing, the Nationals selected his contract on March 22, 2025, after he made the team’s Opening Day roster. In 13 appearances for Washington, Poche struggled to an 11.42 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 8 and two-thirds innings pitched. On May 1, 2025, he was designated for assignment following the signing of Andrew Chafin, ending his short tenure with the organization.
New York Mets Era (2025)
On May 7, 2025, Poche signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. In 12 appearances for the Triple–A Syracuse Mets, he logged an 0–1 record and a 4.26 ERA with 13 strikeouts and one save across 12 and two-thirds innings pitched. On June 27, the Mets selected his contract, adding him to their active roster. In his sole appearance for the team, he allowed two runs on two hits with one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning before being designated for assignment on June 29. After clearing waivers, he elected free agency on July 1, then re-signed with the Mets on a minor league contract on July 4 before being released on August 2.
Driving Style and Strengths
Poche has worked exclusively as a relief pitcher throughout his professional career, relying on his left-handed delivery to face batters in short, high-leverage situations. His minor league track record, including a 0.82 ERA across two levels in 2018, suggests a pitcher with strong command and the ability to limit damage in relief outings. His repeated movement between Triple–A and the majors indicates a player who can adjust quickly to the demands of the highest level.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Poche’s career came on June 8, 2019, when he made his MLB debut against the Boston Red Sox after a steady climb through the minor leagues. He reached 51 appearances in his rookie season and later overcame a second Tommy John surgery to return to the majors in 2022. His 2018 recognition as both an MLB Pipeline selection and the Rays Minor League Reliever of the Year highlighted his emergence as a top bullpen prospect in the organization.
Colin Poche Career Wins
Colin Michael Poche has compiled a professional career as a relief pitcher, with his major league win total reaching five during his 2019 rookie season with the Tampa Bay Rays. Across multiple organizations, he has recorded numerous minor league wins and saves, particularly during his time in the Rays system and later with the Triple–A Syracuse Mets. His career has been defined more by ERA and strikeout totals than by win totals, which is typical for modern relief pitchers.
Tampa Bay Rays Highlights
Poche spent the majority of his MLB career with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2019 to 2024, serving primarily as a left-handed reliever. His most extensive major league workload came in 2019, when he posted a 5–5 record across 51 appearances. In 2022, he returned from injury to make 64 regular-season relief appearances, and in 2024, he appeared in 43 games with a 3.86 ERA before being non–tendered following the season.
Other Wins & Performances
Outside of the majors, Poche has pitched at every level of the minor leagues, including stints in the Low–A, Single–A, High–A, Double–A, and Triple–A ranks. He earned a 1–2 record with the Hillsboro Hops in 2016 and posted a 3–1 combined record across two affiliates in 2017. In 2025, he recorded one save with the Triple–A Syracuse Mets, showing his continued ability to close out games in the minors.
Colin Poche Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Colin Michael Poche’s family background is limited. He grew up in Flower Mound, Texas, where he developed his baseball skills at Marcus High School, but specific details about his parents or siblings have not been widely reported. His early athletic support system likely came from his local community and high school coaches.
Personal Life
Details about Colin Michael Poche’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, are not publicly confirmed. His professional baseball career has taken him from Texas to multiple organizations across the country, and he has focused primarily on his development as a relief pitcher.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a turbulent one for Colin Michael Poche, marked by multiple team changes and varied levels of success. He began the year with the Washington Nationals, where he earned a spot on the Opening Day roster but struggled in 13 appearances, posting an 11.42 ERA before being designated for assignment in early May. Shortly after, he signed with the New York Mets and was assigned to their Triple–A affiliate in Syracuse.
With the Syracuse Mets, Poche found more consistent results, recording a 4.26 ERA with 13 strikeouts and one save across 12 appearances. He received a brief promotion to the major league roster in late June, though his lone appearance for the Mets resulted in two runs allowed over two-thirds of an inning, leading to another designation for assignment. He cleared waivers and re-signed with the Mets on a minor league deal in early July before being released in early August.
As the remainder of 2025 unfolds, Poche’s outlook will depend on whether another organization offers him an opportunity, either in the major leagues or at the Triple–A level. His experience in multiple bullpens and his track record of recovering from major injuries suggest he remains a viable option for teams seeking left-handed relief depth. His next chapter will likely be determined by his performance in the final stretch of the season.