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With Drew Pomeranz headed to the disabled list, the Rockies have called up Collin McHugh to start on the mound tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 26-year-old righty was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets for Eric Young Jr. last month.
McHugh is the first graduate of Division III Berry College to make the Major Leagues, he was 13-9 with five saves during his three-year career with the Vikings, who played at the NAIA level at the time. He was drafted in the 18th round of the 2008 draft by the Mets.
He made the big leagues last season with the Mets, pitching in eight games and making four starts, compiling a 7.59 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings. His best outing by far was his big league debut on August 23 against the Rockies at Coors Field. He tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits (a double to Charlie Blackmon and a single to DJ LeMahieu) and a walk while striking out nine.
McHugh pitched seven innings for the Mets in 2013 with a 10.29 ERA and 2.14 WHIP. He made a start in Miami on June 1, allowing four runs on six hits in four innings in an 8-1 Mets loss.
Since joining the Rockies organization, McHugh has posted a 2.40 ERA in 30 innings across five total starts in Tulsa and Colorado Springs with six walks and 28 strikeouts. He allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits in six innings with three walks and six strikeouts in his last start with the Sky Sox on July 20.
McHugh is also worth a follow on Twitter, as he became known for his blogging and social media presence as he ascended through the Mets system.
Links:
Collin McHugh getting chance to be No. 5 starter in Rockies' rotation - Denver Post
Patrick Saunders has a look at McHugh in today's Denver Post.
Chad Bettis doing his best to get on the Colorado Rockies' radar - Denver Post
Irv Moss files his weekly minor league report with a look at Chad Bettis, who has a 3.71 ERA in 63 innings in Tulsa this season.
Q&A: Jim Wright, Colorado Rockies Pitching Coach - FanGraphs
FanGraphs talked to Jim Wright about his own personal philosophies on pitching and what it takes to find success on the mound at Coors Field.