Poulin is the ninth Husky to reach the big leagues under Jim Penders.
Another Husky is heading to the majors. On Monday, the Washington Nationals called up left-handed pitcher PJ Poulin, making him the ninth UConn baseball player to reach the major leagues during the Jim Penders Era.
Drafted in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies, Poulin was traded to the Detroit Tigers in March 2024. He began the current season with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens and was added to the Tigers’ 40-man roster in early July, only to be designated for assignment on the final day of the month. The Washington Nationals claimed Poulin on waivers and will now add him to the major league roster.
In 35 appearances with the Mud Hens this season, he owns a 3.38 ERA and 2.23 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .233 batting average in 42.2 innings.
A native of Marion, Massachusetts, Poulin pitched at UConn from 2016-18. As a junior, he set the Huskies’ program record with 16 saves while making 31 appearances. With a 3.62 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 49.2 innings, he earned ABCA/Rawlings Third Team All-American honors.
Poulin is the 22nd UConn baseball player to reach the major leagues all-time and the ninth to play under Penders, joining George Springer, Ben Casparius, Matt Barnes, Nick Ahmed, Scott Oberg, Anthony Kay and Mike Olt.