Colin Rea
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1990)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{About||the country music singer|Collin Raye}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Colin Rea
| image = Colin Rea Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 20220919.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Rea with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2022
| team = Chicago Cubs
| number = 53
| position = Pitcher
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|7|1}}
| birth_place = Cascade, Iowa, U.S.
| bats = Right
| throws = Right
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate = August 11
| debutyear = 2015
| debutteam = San Diego Padres
| debut2league = NPB
| debut2date = June 3
| debut2year = 2021
| debut2team = Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
| statyear = April 18, 2025
| statleague = MLB
| stat1label = Win–loss record
| stat1value = 26–20
| stat2label = Earned run average
| stat2value = 4.48
| stat3label = Strikeouts
| stat3value = 378
| stat2year = 2022 season
| stat2league = NPB
| stat21label = Win–loss record
| stat21value = 8–7
| stat22label = ERA
| stat22value = 3.41
| stat23label = Saves
| stat23value =
| stat24label = Strikeouts
| stat24value = 118
| teams =
- San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2016}})
- Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2016}})
- Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2020}})
- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks ({{npby|2021}})
- Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2021}})
- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks ({{npby|2022}})
- Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
- Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2025}}–present)
}}
Colin David Rea (born July 1, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Career
=Amateur=
After graduating from Cascade High School in Cascade, Iowa, Rea played college baseball at the University of Northern Iowa before transferring to St. Petersburg College and then Indiana State University. In 2010, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=76273&seasonid=239 |title=#19 Colin Rea |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}
=San Diego Padres=
The San Diego Padres selected Rea in the 12th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.thonline.com/sports/local_sports/article_fcaea1dd-a616-591d-90c5-ad13f697f75a.html?mode=story|title=Rea goes to Padres|date=June 8, 2011|first1=Jim|last1=Leitner|website=THonline.com|publisher=Telegraph Herald|location=Dubuque, IA|access-date=August 30, 2015}} He signed with the Padres and made his professional debut in 2011 with the Low-A Eugene Emeralds, posting a 3-4 record and 2.21 ERA in 15 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.thonline.com/sports/local_sports/article_3b35e03a-3a80-5b97-9622-df4f3dac1ef7.html|title=Minor league baseball: Rea's endless summer finally winding down|date=September 20, 2011|last1=Leitner|first1=Jim|website=THonline.com|publisher=Telegraph Herald|location=Dubuque, IA|access-date=August 30, 2015}} In 2012, Rea played for the Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, pitching to a 5-10 record and 4.11 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 103.0 innings of work. In 2013, Rea split the year between Fort Wayne and the Advanced Single-A Lake Elsinore Storm, logging a cumulative 2-6 record and 4.08 ERA. He returned to Lake Elsinore for the 2014 season, recording an 11-9 record and 3.88 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 139.0 innings pitched.{{cite web|url=http://www.cpioneer.com/sports/article_0687c794-9c68-11e2-9e42-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Rea is promoted, plays for Lake Elsinore Storm|publisher=Cascade Pioneer|website=cpioneer.com|date=April 3, 2013|first1=Don|last1=Carpenter|location=Cascade, IA|access-date=August 30, 2015}}
File:Colin Rea on May 15, 2012.jpg in 2012]]
In 2015, Rea began the season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, and logged a 1.08 ERA in 12 games with the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.thonline.com/sports/local_sports/article_eaf85b0c-21c9-5a8c-9a25-e20d670bcd83.html|title=Professional baseball: Rea enjoys career year for Storm|first1=Jim|last1=Leitner|website=THonline.com|date=September 22, 2014|publisher=Telegraph Herald|location=Dubuque, IA|access-date=August 30, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.expressnews.com/sports/missions/article/Rea-ready-to-get-his-feet-wet-with-Missions-6185093.php|title=Rea ready to get his feet wet with Missions|publisher=San Antonio Express-News|date=April 8, 2015|url-access=subscription |website=expressnews.com|access-date=August 30, 2015}} On August 11, 2015, Rea was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. Rea made his major league debut that day, pitching 5.0 innings of 3-run ball against the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/10/padres-colin-rea-set-major-league-debut-reds/|title=Padres prospect Colin Rea set for major league debut|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=August 10, 2015|last1=Lin|first1=Dennis|access-date=August 30, 2015}} Rea made 1 appearance with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas in 2016, allowing 1 run in an inning of work.
=Miami Marlins=
Rea was involved in a pair of transactions between the Padres and Marlins just before the MLB trade deadline on August 1, 2016. He was first traded along with Andrew Cashner and Tayron Guerrero to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Jarred Cosart, Carter Capps, Josh Naylor, and Luis Castillo on July 29.{{cite press release|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/padres-acquire-four-players-from-miami-marlins-in-seven-player-trade-192421780|title=Padres acquire four players from Miami Marlins in seven-player trade|work=MLB.com|date=July 29, 2016|access-date=July 29, 2016|archive-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801070923/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/192421780/padres-acquire-four-players-from-miami-marlins-in-seven-player-trade/|url-status=live}} He then made his Marlins debut in an 11–0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park the following night on July 30, but an injury ended his start after one out in the fourth inning. His right elbow strain landed him on the 15-day disabled list on July 31.{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17185453/colin-rea-miami-marlins-goes-disabled-list| title = Colin Rea of Miami Marlins goes on disabled list| date = July 31, 2016}}
=San Diego Padres (second stint)=
Rea's four-day odyssey ended on August 1 when he and Castillo were returned to their original teams.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-colin-rea-headed-back-to-san-diego/|title=Padres' Colin Rea: Headed back to San Diego|work=cbssports.com|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016}} NBC Miami reported that the Marlins felt they had been sent an injured player in Rea from the Padres.{{cite web|last1=Walansky|first1=Larry|title=Marlins Return Colin Rea to Padres|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Marlins-Return-Colin-Rea-to-Padres-388855722.html|website=NBC|date=August 2016 |access-date=August 3, 2016}} On August 5, 2016, Rea was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow. After visiting Dr. James Andrews, Rea opted for a platelet rich plasma injection, but it was unsuccessful.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/aug/17/padres-colin-rea-prp-injection-forgo-tommy-john/|title = Padres' Rea to forgo surgery, receive PRP injection| work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date = August 17, 2016}} In November, Rea underwent Tommy John surgery, and was declared to miss all of the 2017 season. In 2018, Rea returned to the organization and logged a 3-5 record and 5.73 ERA in 18 games between El Paso and San Antonio. On November 20, 2018, Rea was designated for assignment by the Padres, and released six days later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/padres-outright-allen-cordoba-release-colin-rea.html|title = Padres Outright Allen Cordoba, Release Colin Rea| date=November 26, 2018 }}
=Chicago Cubs=
On January 7, 2019, Rea signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/01/07/cubs-bringing-in-righty-colin-rea-on-a-minor-league-deal/|title=Cubs Bringing in Righty Colin Rea on a Minor League Deal|last=Cerami|first=Michael|work=bleachernation.com|date=January 7, 2019|access-date=January 8, 2019}} Rea was named 2019 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year after a successful season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, with whom he posted a 14-4 record and 3.95 ERA in 26 appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/pacific-coast/news/iowa-s-rea-named-pitcher-of-the-year-310399896|title=Iowa's Rea Named Pitcher of the Year|date=August 29, 2020|website=MILB.com|access-date=January 5, 2021}} The Cubs selected his contract to the 40-man roster on November 4, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/4109ba8c30554deb9d26cd77e307a72e|title=Cubs decline $5 million option on reliever David Phelps|website=The AP|date=November 4, 2019|access-date=November 4, 2019}}
The Cubs recalled Rea to the Major Leagues on July 30, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-recall-colin-rea-south-bend-alternate-site-option-dillon-maples|title = Cubs recall Colin Rea from South Bend alternate site, option Dillon Maples}} In 9 appearances for Chicago in 2020, Rea recorded a 5.79 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 14.0 innings of work. Rea was expected to be a part of the Cubs bullpen in 2021, but was released by the organization on January 4, 2021, so he could pursue an opportunity in Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/cubs-release-colin-rea.html|title=Cubs Release Colin Rea|date=January 5, 2021 }}
=Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks=
On January 7, 2021, Rea signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).{{ cite web | url=https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/news/detail/00003959.html | title=コリン・レイ選手入団のお知らせ | work=福岡ソフトバンクホークス 公式サイト | language=Japanese | date=January 7, 2021 | access-date=January 7, 2021 }} On June 3, he made his debut at NPB as a starter in the Interleague play against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/202106030001357.html|title=Nikkan Sports baseball news ソフトバンク工藤監督「レイはよかった」初登板6回3失点の助っ人を評価|language=ja-JP|work=Nikkan Sports|date=June 3, 2021|accessdate=June 6, 2021}} His wife gave birth in late July, making it difficult for him to leave his family and return to Japan. The Hawks acknowledged his desire to prioritize his family and he decided to leave the team on August 8.{{cite web|url=https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/news/detail/00004595.html|title=Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Press release 2021/08/08(日) コリン・レイ選手退団のお知らせ|language=ja-JP|work=Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site|date=August 8, 2021|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/202108080000864.html|title=Nikkan Sports baseball news ソフトバンク・レイ、早産の夫人との生活優先し退団決意 球団も事情を了承|language=ja-JP|work=Nikkan Sports|date=August 8, 2021|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}
=Milwaukee Brewers=
On August 14, 2021, Rea signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/brewers-sign-colin-rea-to-minors-contract.html|title = Brewers Sign Colin Rea to Minors Contract| date=August 14, 2021 }} On September 29, Rea was selected to the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-colin-rea-called-up-to-majors/|title = Brewers' Colin Rea: Called up to majors| date=September 29, 2021 }}
Rea made 1 appearance for the Brewers, pitching 6 innings, giving up 5 runs and striking out 5. He became a free agent following the season.
=Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (second stint)=
On December 19, 2021, Rea signed a contract to return to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/colin-rea-signs-with-fukuoka-softbank-hawks.html|title = Colin Rea Signs With Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks| date=December 19, 2021 }}
In 2022, Rea finished the regular season with 23 appearances, a 5–6 Win–loss record, 3.96 ERA, one hold, and 80 strikeouts in 100 innings of work. He became a free agent following the 2022 season.
=Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)=
On January 27, 2023, Rea signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Colin Rea: Invited to Brewers camp|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-colin-rea-invited-to-brewers-camp/amp/|access-date=January 27, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the year. On April 13, his contract was selected to the active roster for a spot start against the San Diego Padres{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Colin Rea: Contract selected for spot start|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-colin-rea-contract-selected-for-spot-start/amp/|access-date=April 13, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} where he pitched {{fraction|5|2|3}} innings only giving up one run and striking out 6. By the end of the season Rea, made 26 appearances for Milwaukee, 22 of which were starts, and posted a 4.55 ERA.
On November 2, 2023, Rea re-signed with Milwaukee on a one-year contract with the Brewers with a club option for 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-colin-rea-re-signs-with-milwaukee/|title=Brewers' Colin Rea: Re-signs with Milwaukee|date=November 2, 2023|website=CBSSports.com}} In 32 games (27 starts) for the Brewers, he posted a 12-6 record and 4.29 ERA with 135 strikeouts across {{fraction|167|2|3}} innings pitched. On November 4, 2024, the Brewers declined Rea's option, making him a free agent.{{cite news |last1=McCalvy |first1=Adam |title=Rea, Montas become free agents on busy day for Brewers |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/colin-rea-frankie-montas-free-agents-as-brewers-make-moves |access-date=November 4, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=November 4, 2024}}
=Chicago Cubs (second stint)=
On January 13, 2025, Rea signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web|title=Cubs agree to terms with right-handed pitcher Colin Rea|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/release-cubs-agree-to-terms-with-right-handed-pitcher-colin-rea-1-13-25|access-date=January 13, 2025|website=mlb.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Colin Rea}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=607067|espn=33950|br=r/reaco01|fangraphs=12317|brm=rea---000col|retro=R/Prea-c001}}
- [http://www.gosycamores.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&ATCLID=205082365 Indiana State Sycamores bio]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140802192416/http://www.unipanthers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26200 Northern Iowa Panthers bio]
- [https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/53955153.html Career statistics - NPB.jp]
- [https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/en/team/player/detail/2022_26.html 26 Colin D. Rea PLAYERS2022] - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site
- {{Twitter}}
{{Chicago Cubs roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rea, Colin}}
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Japan
Category:Baseball players from Iowa
Category:El Paso Chihuahuas players
Category:Eugene Emeralds players
Category:Fort Wayne TinCaps players
Category:Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks players
Category:Hyannis Harbor Hawks players
Category:Indiana State Sycamores baseball players
Category:Lake Elsinore Storm players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Miami Marlins players
Category:Milwaukee Brewers players
Category:Nashville Sounds players
Category:Northern Iowa Panthers baseball players
Category:Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers
Category:People from Cascade, Iowa
Category:San Antonio Missions players