Trevor Richards Bio
Trevor Michael Richards is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. A right-handed pitcher, Richards first reached the majors in 2018 and has since built a career as a versatile arm who has moved between starting and relief roles.
Born on May 15, 1993, Richards has spent more than a decade navigating professional baseball, from independent league fields to MLB stadiums. Known for his strikeout ability and willingness to embrace any role asked of him, he continues to be a dependable depth option for clubs seeking bullpen help.
Early Life and Background
Trevor Michael Richards grew up rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, the closest Major League club to his Illinois roots. That early connection to the national pastime shaped his approach and fueled his ambition to play professionally. He attended Mater Dei High School in Breese, Illinois, where he starred on the baseball diamond. In 2011, his senior year, he went 9–1 with a 1.07 ERA, establishing himself as one of the top prep arms in the area.
After high school, Richards chose to play college baseball at Drury University, continuing his development on a smaller stage. As a senior in 2015, he posted a 5–3 win-loss record with a 3.61 ERA in 11 starts, showing consistency but slipping under the radar of MLB scouts. When the 2015 MLB Draft concluded without his name being called, Richards kept his career alive by signing with the Gateway Grizzlies of the independent Frontier League.
Path to Professional Baseball
Richards spent parts of two seasons with the Gateway Grizzlies, sharpening his craft in independent ball. In 2015, he posted a 3.36 ERA in 14 starts for the Grizzlies, and during eight starts in 2016, he recorded a 3.21 ERA while ranking among the league leaders in strikeouts. That performance convinced the Miami Marlins to sign him in July 2016, giving Richards his first opportunity inside a Major League organization.
He spent the remainder of 2016 in the Marlins’ system, splitting time between the Batavia Muckdogs and the Greensboro Grasshoppers, both in Single-A, and combining to post a 2–3 record and 2.48 ERA in nine starts across 11 appearances. The following year, Richards was named the Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 12–11 with a 2.53 ERA and 158 strikeouts over 146 innings between the Advanced-A Jupiter Hammerheads and the Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. That breakout performance set the stage for his big-league call-up the next spring.
Trevor Richards Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Richards began his professional career in the Gateway Grizzlies rotation before being signed by the Miami Marlins. His first taste of the Marlins’ system came in 2016, when he split the year between two Single-A affiliates and impressed with a 2.48 ERA in limited action. The Marlins moved him quickly, promoting him to Advanced-A and Double-A in 2017, where he became a strikeout machine and earned the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors.
That dominant minor-league season, featuring 158 strikeouts in 146 innings, signaled that Richards was nearly ready for the majors. The Marlins added him to their 40-man roster that offseason, positioning him for a rotation spot the following spring.
Miami Marlins (2018–2019)
Richards made his MLB debut on April 2, 2018, taking the ball as a starting pitcher against the Boston Red Sox. He pitched 4+1⁄3 innings, giving up eight hits and five earned runs while striking out five, taking the loss in a 7–3 defeat. Later that month, on April 25, Richards faced Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching 4+2⁄3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 in a memorable outing. He finished 2018 with a 4–9 record in 25 starts, striking out 130 batters in 126+1⁄3 innings.
Richards began 2019 in the Marlins’ rotation, but after going 3–12 in 20 starts, he was moved to the bullpen on July 26. Two days later, on July 31, 2019, the Marlins traded him, along with Nick Anderson, to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jesús Sánchez and Ryne Stanek, ending his original organization tenure.
Tampa Bay Rays (2019–2021)
Richards made his first start as a Ray on August 18, 2019, against the Detroit Tigers, allowing two runs across three and a half innings in a 5–4 Tampa Bay victory. In 2020, he worked in 9 appearances, including four starts, but struggled to a 5.91 ERA and 1.72 WHIP. In 2021, he struck out 16 batters in 12 innings for the Rays before being dealt midseason.
Milwaukee Brewers (2021)
On May 21, 2021, the Rays traded Richards and Willy Adames to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Drew Rasmussen and J. P. Feyereisen. In 15 appearances and 19+2⁄3 innings before his next move, Richards posted a 3–0 record with a 3.20 ERA, providing the Brewers with reliable relief work.
Toronto Blue Jays (2021–2024)
On July 6, 2021, the Brewers traded Richards to the Toronto Blue Jays along with Bowden Francis in exchange for Rowdy Tellez. In 32 games out of the bullpen, he compiled a 4–2 record and 3.31 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 32+2⁄3 innings. The following year, Richards made 62 appearances for the Blue Jays in 2022, accumulating a 3–2 record and 5.34 ERA with 82 strikeouts across 64 innings.
On January 13, 2023, Richards signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration. He appeared in 56 contests for Toronto in 2023, recording a 4.95 ERA with 105 strikeouts over 72+2⁄3 innings of work. In 2024, Richards pitched in 45 games for the Blue Jays, posting a 2–1 record and 4.64 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 52+1⁄3 innings before being moved again.
Minnesota Twins (2024)
On July 30, 2024, the Blue Jays traded Richards to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor-leaguer Jay Harry. In 10 games for Minnesota, he registered a 4.15 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 13 innings of work. The Twins designated him for assignment on August 27, and he cleared waivers before being sent outright to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints on September 2. Richards elected free agency on October 1.
Kansas City Royals (2025)
On May 8, 2025, Richards signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. In 10 appearances for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, he recorded a 1.69 ERA with 11 strikeouts and two saves across 10+2⁄3 innings. On June 7, the Royals selected his contract and added him to their active roster. In three appearances for Kansas City, he struggled to a 12.00 ERA with two strikeouts across three innings, was designated for assignment on June 11, and elected free agency after clearing waivers on June 13.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2025)
On June 19, 2025, Richards signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In nine appearances for the Triple-A Reno Aces, he recorded a 6.57 ERA with eight strikeouts over 12+1⁄3 innings. On July 18, the Diamondbacks selected his contract, adding him to their active roster. In two appearances for Arizona, he registered a 3.38 ERA with three strikeouts across 2+2⁄3 innings before being designated for assignment on July 26. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno on July 28, then elected free agency on October 14.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the early highlights of Richards’ career came on April 25, 2018, when he faced Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw and struck out 10 batters while allowing just one hit across 4+2⁄3 innings. His 2017 Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year award marked him as one of the system’s top emerging arms, and his 130 strikeouts as a rookie in 2018 signaled his long-term viability in the majors.
Trevor Richards Career Highlights
Across his MLB career, Richards has appeared in games for seven organizations, compiling a record built on strikeout ability and bullpen flexibility. His first MLB start on April 2, 2018, his 10-strikeout gem against the Dodgers later that month, and his work as a multi-inning reliever for the Blue Jays during the early 2020s stand out as defining moments.
Major League Highlights
Richards’ most productive season came in 2022, when he made 62 appearances for the Blue Jays and struck out 82 batters in 64 innings. In 2023, he set a personal best with 105 strikeouts across 72+2⁄3 innings. His stint with the Brewers in 2021 produced a perfect 3–0 record with a 3.20 ERA, and his Triple-A work with Omaha in 2025 featured a 1.69 ERA with two saves.
Trevor Richards Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Richards grew up in the St. Louis area and remained a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan. He and his wife, Aunna, became engaged in 2018 and married in 2019. The couple currently resides in Springfield, Missouri, where they have built their life during the baseball offseasons.
2025 Season Performance
Richards’ 2025 season was defined by a series of minor-league stops and brief big-league opportunities. After signing with the Chicago Cubs organization in January, he was released on May 3 following struggles at Triple-A Iowa, where he posted an 0–2 record and 7.27 ERA in seven appearances. A few days later, on May 8, he signed a minor-league deal with the Kansas City Royals and thrived in Triple-A Omaha, recording a 1.69 ERA with 11 strikeouts and two saves across 10+2⁄3 innings.
That success earned Richards a spot on the Royals’ active roster in June, but a rough 12.00 ERA in three appearances led to a quick designation for assignment and a return to free agency by June 13. He landed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 19, spent time in Triple-A Reno, and was promoted to the majors in mid-July. In two appearances for Arizona, he posted a 3.38 ERA before being designated for assignment again on July 26. He cleared waivers, finished the year in the minors, and elected free agency on October 14, returning to the open market as a veteran depth arm for potential 2026 suitors.