You may or may not know the name Colin Peluse. The Wake Forest pitching prospect was drafted and signed by the Oakland A’s in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The right-hander has pitched pretty well in the Athletics’ organization, but has struggled when the A’s attempted to promote him to Triple-A. Peluse qualified for free agency as a minor leaguer this year and the Phillies signed him recently, giving him a minor league deal that will likely come with an invitation to spring training.

Peluse, 27, was first bumped to Triple-A Las Vegas late in the 2022 season for one start and got hit for seven earned runs in 1.2 innings. The next season, Peluse opened the year in the Las Vegas rotation and in four starts had a 5.92 ERA, prompting a move to the bullpen. In 37 relief appearances over the rest of the summer, Peluse made 37 relief appearances and went 1-1, 6.52 out of the bullpen with two saves in four opportunities.

In 2024, Oakland sent Peluse back to Double-A Midland, promoted him to Triple-A in mid May and in one start and five relief appearances, he again struggled, posting an 8.53 ERA, prompting his return to Midland. In 2025, Peluse was back at Double-A and remained there for the full season. He had a stretch of 28 out of 29 relief appearances where he did not allow a run, with the final part of that streak covering 19 appearances. September was not kind to Peluse and his ERA for the month was 9.53, putting him at 4-1, 2.64 in 47 appearances covering 58 innings. On the season, he walked 12 and struck out 54.

Part of the success for Peluse over the past two seasons when he has gone 8-4, 2.69 in 78 relief appearances and two starts, is a change in his pitch arsenal. Before the 2024 season, Peluse was relying very heavily on his fastball, throwing it around 70% of the time. He has dropped the percentage down to about 59% and filled in the rest by throwing his slider and change-up more. He has low-90s velocity on his four-seam fastball and is around 83-mph with his slider.

It’s unclear whether the Phillies will keep him in a relief role or look to work him back into the rotation in the minors.

Peluse was born in Baltimore, but attended Middletown High School in Delaware.