Trevor Richards Bio
Trevor Michael Richards (born May 15, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a member of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Standing among the journeyman arms of his generation, he has pitched for nine major-league organizations since 2018, working primarily out of the bullpen in recent seasons. He is recognized for his durability, swing-and-miss curveball, and willingness to take the ball in any role his team requires.
Originally signed by the Miami Marlins in 2016, Richards debuted in the big leagues two years later and has since become a familiar presence on the waiver and trade wires. He has built his career on steady reinvention, transitioning from a starting pitcher into a reliable multi-inning reliever capable of handling high-leverage spots.
Early Life and Background
Richards grew up rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, an allegiance that helped shape his early love for the game. He attended Mater Dei High School in Breese, Illinois, where he developed into one of the top high-school arms in the region. In his senior year of 2011, he went 9–1 with a 1.07 ERA, a performance that hinted at his professional potential despite going undrafted.
After high school, he enrolled at Drury University, where he continued to refine his craft on the mound. As a senior in 2015, he produced a 5–3 win-loss record with a 3.61 ERA across 11 starts, showing the kind of consistency that would later translate to the professional ranks.
Path to Baseball
Richards went unpicked in the 2015 MLB Draft, a setback that pushed him into the independent leagues. He signed with the Gateway Grizzlies of the independent Frontier League, where he posted a 3.36 ERA in 14 starts during the 2015 season. He returned for 2016 and was among the league leaders in strikeouts across eight starts, posting a 3.21 ERA and forcing MLB clubs to take notice.
His strong independent-league resume earned him a contract with the Miami Marlins in July 2016, launching his climb through the affiliated minor leagues. The decision to bypass the traditional draft route ultimately gave him the platform he needed to prove he belonged in affiliated baseball.
Trevor Richards Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
After signing with the Marlins, Richards split his first pro season between the Batavia Muckdogs and Greensboro Grasshoppers, both Single-A affiliates, going 2–3 with a 2.48 ERA in nine starts. The Marlins pushed him quickly, and in 2017, he delivered one of the top seasons in their system. Between the Advanced-A Jupiter Hammerheads and the Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he went 12–11 with a 2.53 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 146 innings across 27 games.
That performance earned him the Marlins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year award, a springboard to the major leagues the following spring.
Miami Marlins Breakthrough (2018-2019)
Richards made his MLB debut on April 2, 2018, taking the ball against the Boston Red Sox. He went 4⅓ innings, allowing five earned runs in a 7–3 loss, but he showed the composure that would come to define his career. Later that month, he struck out 10 batters in 4⅔ innings against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers, signaling his big-league readiness. He finished his rookie year 4–9 with 130 strikeouts in 126⅓ innings over 25 starts.
In 2019, he began the year in the Marlins rotation, but a 3–12 record through 20 starts led to a move to the bullpen in late July. That relief role would ultimately extend his career for years to come.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2019-2021)
On July 31, 2019, Richards was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Nick Anderson in a trade for Jesús Sánchez and Ryne Stanek. He made his first Rays start on August 18, 2019, against the Detroit Tigers, allowing two runs across 3⅓ innings in a 5–4 Tampa Bay win. In the shortened 2020 season, he posted a 5.91 ERA across nine appearances, including four starts, but his strikeout rate remained a positive indicator.
Early in 2021, he logged 16 strikeouts in 12 innings for the Rays before being moved again.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2021)
On May 21, 2021, the Rays traded Richards and Willy Adames to the Milwaukee Brewers for Drew Rasmussen and J. P. Feyereisen. In 15 appearances covering 19⅔ innings, he went 3–0 with a 3.20 ERA, providing dependable length out of the bullpen and helping solidify his reputation as a steady middle reliever.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2021-2024)
Richards was traded again on July 6, 2021, this time to the Toronto Blue Jays along with Bowden Francis for Rowdy Tellez. In 32 games out of the bullpen, he went 4–2 with a 3.31 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 32⅔ innings. He made 62 appearances for Toronto in 2022, going 3–2 with a 5.34 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 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 games that year, posting a 4.95 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 72⅔ innings. In 2024, he pitched in 45 games for Toronto, going 2–1 with a 4.64 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 52⅓ innings before being moved at the trade deadline.
Minnesota Twins Era (2024)
On July 30, 2024, the Blue Jays sent Richards to the Minnesota Twins for minor-leaguer Jay Harry. In 10 games with Minnesota, he posted a 4.15 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 13 innings. He was designated for assignment on August 27, cleared waivers, was outrighted to Triple-A St. Paul, and elected free agency on October 1.
Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals Era (2025)
Richards signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs on January 21, 2025, but struggled to a 7.27 ERA across seven appearances for Triple-A Iowa and was released on May 3. He quickly caught on with the Kansas City Royals organization, where he thrived in Triple-A Omaha with a 1.69 ERA in 10 outings. The Royals selected his contract on June 7, though his big-league stint was brief, as a 12.00 ERA in three appearances led to a designation for assignment on June 11.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2025)
On June 19, 2025, Richards signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and joined Triple-A Reno. After recording a 6.57 ERA in nine appearances there, he had his contract selected on July 18. In two appearances for Arizona, he delivered a 3.38 ERA with three strikeouts in 2⅔ innings before being designated for assignment on July 26. He cleared waivers, was outrighted to Reno, and elected free agency on October 14.
Philadelphia Phillies Era (2025-2026)
On December 11, 2025, Richards signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and was assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He opened the 2026 season with a 1.93 ERA across his first nine appearances, and on April 30, 2026, the Phillies selected his contract. He made two appearances for Philadelphia, posting a 2.08 ERA with five strikeouts in 4⅓ innings.
Chicago White Sox Era (2026-Present)
On May 5, 2026, Richards was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations, where he continues to provide bullpen depth. He currently wears No. 43 for the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Richards relies on a curveball-heavy approach, pairing a high-spin breaking ball with a sinking fastball to generate ground balls and chase swings. As a starter, his strength was eating innings, while as a reliever he has become a multi-inning weapon who can match up against both left- and right-handed hitters. His adaptability has allowed him to thrive in varying bullpen roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature early moments of his career came on April 25, 2018, when he struck out 10 batters against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in just 4⅔ innings. He has also been part of three notable in-season trades involving Willy Adames, Rowdy Tellez, and Nick Anderson, all of which shaped multiple franchises at the deadline.
Trevor Richards Career Statistics
Through his major-league career, Richards has posted a 24–28 win-loss record, a 4.52 earned run average, and 636 strikeouts, figures that reflect a long career spent bouncing between starting and relieving roles. His role as a frequent trade piece has seen him contribute to playoff pushes in Tampa Bay, Milwaukee, and Toronto.
MLB Highlights
Richards owns a 10-strikeout performance against the Dodgers and multiple seasons of 50-plus appearances out of the bullpen, including 62 outings with Toronto in 2022. He has worked as a swingman, a long reliever, and an occasional bulk reliever, making him one of the more versatile arms of his era.
Trevor Richards Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Richards grew up a St. Louis Cardinals fan. He and his wife, Aunna, became engaged in 2018 and married in 2019. The couple resides in Springfield, Missouri.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was one of the more turbulent of Richards’ career, as he cycled through three major-league organizations and multiple Triple-A affiliates. After being released by the Cubs organization in May, he caught fire in the Royals’ system at Triple-A Omaha, earning a contract selection on June 7, though his three-game stint in Kansas City ended quickly when he was designated for assignment on June 11.
He landed in Arizona on June 19 and eventually reached the majors with the Diamondbacks on July 18, where he showed improvement with a 3.38 ERA in two appearances. Following another designation and a brief return to Triple-A Reno, he elected free agency on October 14, ending the year with three major-league teams on his ledger.
Despite the constant movement, Richards finished 2025 healthy and ready for another opportunity, signing a minor-league deal with the Phillies in December 2025 and forcing his way back to the majors in April 2026.
