Connor Joe Bio
Connor Kok-Wy Joe is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman who plays for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). A first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 MLB draft, Joe has suited up for the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners across his major league career. Known for his plate discipline and versatility, he has spent time at first base and both corner outfield spots. He is also widely recognized for publicly sharing his battle with testicular cancer during the 2020 season.
Early Life and Background
Connor Kok-Wy Joe was born on August 16, 1992, in Poway, California. He grew up in a Chinese American household, with both sets of grandparents having immigrated from China. His father’s family settled in Connecticut, while his mother’s family moved to New York before his parents married and relocated to the San Diego area. His family owned and operated two restaurants in San Diego, giving Joe an early appreciation for hard work and community.
He attended Poway High School in Poway, California, where he developed his baseball skills before continuing his career at the University of San Diego. There he played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros and put together a strong three-year resume that included a .325/.423/.500 slash line with 19 home runs in 160 games. He also gained valuable summer experience with teams such as the Kelowna Falcons, Duluth Huskies, and Chatham Anglers, sharpening his game against elite amateur competition.
Path to Baseball
Joe’s path to professional baseball accelerated during his time at the University of San Diego. In 2011 he played collegiate summer baseball with the Kelowna Falcons of the West Coast League, and the following summer he suited up for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League. He continued to progress, earning All-West Coast Conference honors in 2013 and being named a Cape Cod Baseball League all-star with the Chatham Anglers that same summer.
Those performances caught the attention of major league scouts. In the 2014 MLB draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Joe in the first round, 39th overall, launching his professional career. He made his professional debut the following year, setting the stage for a long journey through the minor leagues before reaching the majors.
Connor Joe Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Joe made his professional debut in 2015 with the West Virginia Power and batted .245/.366/.303. He spent the 2016 season with the High-A Bradenton Marauders, where he slashed .277/.351/.392 in 107 games while playing third base. That offseason he appeared in the Arizona Fall League with the Surprise Saguaros, and he began 2017 with the Double-A Altoona Curve.
In August 2017, the Pirates traded Joe to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Sean Rodriguez. He was later dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in September 2017 for international bonus pool money. In 2018 he split time between the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, slashing .299/.408/.527 with career highs of 17 home runs and 55 runs batted in.
San Francisco Giants Era (2019)
Joe was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the Rule 5 draft in December 2018 and was quickly traded to the San Francisco Giants in March 2019. He became the Giants’ Opening Day left fielder, drawing a walk in his MLB debut. His first big league stint was brief, as he was designated for assignment in early April and eventually returned to the Dodgers organization, where he finished 2019 in Triple-A Oklahoma City with a .300/.427/.503 line.
Colorado Rockies Era (2021–2022)
After opting out of the 2020 season following his cancer diagnosis and treatment, Joe signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies and returned to the majors in 2021. Playing primarily first base with time in left field, he hit .285 with eight home runs and 35 runs batted in across 63 games before a September hamstring injury ended his season. In 2022 he batted .238/.338/.359 with seven home runs and 28 runs batted in over 467 plate appearances.
Pittsburgh Pirates Era (2023–2024)
Traded back to Pittsburgh in December 2022, Joe played 133 games for the Pirates in 2023 and batted .247/.339/.421 with 11 home runs and 42 runs batted in. He appeared in 123 games in 2024, slashing .228/.320/.368 with nine home runs and 36 runs batted in, before the Pirates non-tendered him in November 2024.
San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds Era (2025)
Joe signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the San Diego Padres in February 2025. After a brief stint with the Padres in which he went 0-for-9, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in May 2025. In 35 games with Cincinnati he batted .213/.286/.279 with four runs batted in and two stolen bases before being removed from the 40-man roster in late August and electing free agency in September.
Seattle Mariners Era (2026–Present)
Joe signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners in February 2026 and was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He was selected to Seattle’s active roster in April 2026 following an injury to Víctor Robles, giving him another opportunity in the majors. Through early play he has contributed as a versatile corner bat off the bench.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joe’s most defining moment off the field came on March 18, 2020, when he announced he had undergone surgery for testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs. He declared himself cancer free on July 20 of that year, and his openness has been widely credited with raising awareness about the disease. He also made the most of his MLB debut as the Giants’ Opening Day left fielder in 2019.
Connor Joe Career Wins
Joe has been valued throughout his career for his on-base skills, positional flexibility, and professionalism rather than trophy-case numbers. His wins have come primarily through consistent plate appearances and veteran presence in clubhouses.
MLB Highlights
Joe’s most productive MLB season came in 2021 with the Colorado Rockies, when he hit .285 with eight home runs and 35 runs batted in. His strongest overall slash line in the majors followed in 2023 with the Pittsburgh Pirates at .247/.339/.421.
Other Performances
In the minors, Joe put together a standout 2018 campaign between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, slashing .299/.408/.527 with 17 home runs and 55 runs batted in, foreshadowing his MLB opportunity.
Connor Joe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joe comes from a Chinese American family shaped by immigration and entrepreneurship. His grandparents moved from China to Connecticut on his father’s side and to New York on his mother’s side. After marrying, his parents Peter Joe and Mee-Sun settled in Poway, California, a suburb of San Diego, where they owned and operated two restaurants.
Personal Life
Joe met his wife Kylie at the University of San Diego, where he played baseball and she played softball. The couple married in November 2018 and reside in Arizona. Their daughter was born in December 2022.
2025 Season Performance
Joe opened 2025 with the San Diego Padres after signing a one-year, $1 million contract in February. He began the year in Triple-A El Paso before a brief call-up to the Padres, where he went 0-for-9 with one walk. The trade to Cincinnati in May offered a fresh start, and he appeared in 35 games for the Reds, batting .213/.286/.279 with four runs batted in and two stolen bases. A late-August removal from the 40-man roster and a September election of free agency closed out his year.
