Braves: Collin McHugh announces his retirement

A native of Georgia, Collin McHugh was selected in the eighteenth round of the 2008 draft after attending Berry College. He had an incredible career as a reliever and retired with his hometown team, the Atlanta Braves, in the most ideal fashion a child could hope for.

McHugh was one of the Braves’ top relievers in his rookie season (2022), pitching 69.1 innings with a 2.60 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, and 9.7 K/9. He was a versatile middle relief option who could fill in for Brian Snitker for multiple innings at any time.

Nevertheless, 2023 appeared to be the end of the road for Collin McHugh. His ERA skyrocketed to 4.30 and his

WHIP almost doubled. He failed to make the postseason roster despite having many brief trips on the injured list. Additionally, his K/9 dropped to 7.2, the lowest level since prior to the 2014 campaign. Collin McHugh is about to

turn 37, so it wouldn’t have surprised me if he decided to take it easy for a final trip, but you never know. We want all the best for him in his further pursuits.

Bill Belichick is the clear favorite to take over as head coach of Atlanta, despite the Falcons casting a broad net in the

hiring process and keeping things open-ended, at least in public.

The former head coach of the Patriots held a first interview last Monday and a second one on Friday, a few days

later. The first meeting took place one-on-one with Arthur Blank, and the second one was attended by Terry Fontenot, Rich McKay, and other people. Collin McHugh is a Georgia native who attended Berry College and was an

18th-round pick in 2008. He went on to have a fantastic career as a reliever and ended it the best way a kid could dream: with his hometown team, the Atlanta Braves.

In McHugh’s first season with the Braves (2022), he was one of the team’s best relievers, pitching 69.1 innings to

the tune of a 2.60 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, and 9.7 K/9. He was a weapon in middle relief that could go several innings if needed for Brian Snitker at a moment’s notice.

2023, however, made it seem like it may be the end of the road for Collin McHugh. His WHIP nearly doubled and

His ERA ballooned to 4.30. He spent multiple short stints on the IL and failed to make the postseason roster. His

K/9 also fell to 7.2, the lowest mark since before the 2014 season. Set to turn 37-years-old, I wouldn’t have been

shocked if Collin McHugh wanted to give it one last ride, but when you know, you know. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

The Falcons are casting a wide net into the hiring pool, and at least publicly, the club’s search for a head coach is wide open, but it’s clear to everyone that Bill Belichick is the frontrunner for Atlanta’s vacancy.

Last Monday, the former Patriots head coach interviewed for the first time and then met again a few days later.

Friday. The first was a one-on-one with Arthur Blank, while Terry Fontenot, Rich McKay, and others were present for the second meeting.