Drew Pomeranz

Drew Pomeranz – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Get to know Drew Pomeranz: the American MLB pitcher whose journey spans multiple teams, All-Star honors, resilience through injuries, and insightful reflections on pitching and perseverance.

Introduction

Thomas Andrew “Drew” Pomeranz (born November 22, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher, currently in the Chicago Cubs organization.

Over a career that has traversed both starting and relief roles, Pomeranz has experienced success, setbacks, and adaptation. An All-Star in 2016 and a member of the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox, his story reflects both the heights and challenges of a long MLB tenure.

Early Life and Family

Drew Pomeranz was born in Memphis, Tennessee, though he is often associated with Collierville, Tennessee, where he grew up.

He comes from a baseball family: his older brother, Stu Pomeranz, also pitched professionally. Garland Buckeye, who played in Major League Baseball in the early 20th century.

His father, Mike Pomeranz, introduced him early to pitching mechanics and helped teach him a knuckle-curve, complementing his fastball and curveball.

Youth and Education

In high school, Pomeranz showed strong performance on the mound, compiling an impressive record and drawing attention from scouts.

He was first drafted out of high school in the 12th round by the Texas Rangers in 2007, but he chose not to sign, opting instead to improve his draft stock via college.

He enrolled at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he further developed as a pitcher.

During his collegiate years, he was selected to pitch for the United States Collegiate National Team, and in the 2009 World Baseball Challenge he threw a one-hitter in the championship game vs. Germany.

In 2010, Pomeranz won the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy (now C Spire Ferriss Trophy), awarded to Mississippi’s top collegiate baseball player.

Career and Achievements

Draft & Early Professional Years

He was selected in the first round (5th overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians.

Shortly afterward, on July 31, 2011, he was traded (as part of a multi-player deal) to the Colorado Rockies, marking the start of his major league journey.

He made his MLB debut on September 11, 2011, for Colorado, pitching five scoreless innings.

MLB Career: Teams & Roles

Pomeranz’s career has been marked by frequent transitions across teams and roles (starter / reliever). His MLB team history includes:

• Colorado Rockies (2011–2013)

• Oakland Athletics (2014–2015)

• San Diego Padres (multiple stints)

• Boston Red Sox (2016–2018)

• San Francisco Giants (2019)

• Milwaukee Brewers (2019)

• Chicago Cubs (2025–present)

Among his highlights:

• 2016 All-Star: while with the Padres, he was selected to the MLB All-Star Game.

• World Series champion: Though he did not appear on the field in the 2018 World Series, Pomeranz was part of the Boston Red Sox roster and earned a title ring.

In many seasons, Pomeranz moved into relief roles, where his pitch arsenal and experience made him a valuable bullpen option.

Injuries & Comebacks

His career has also been interrupted by injury. Notably:

• After the 2021 season, he suffered flexor tendon injury requiring surgery, which led to significant time away from MLB competition.

• He missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to recovery from the elbow surgeries.

• In 2025, he returned to MLB when the Chicago Cubs acquired him from the Seattle Mariners in April.

Historical Milestones & Context

• 2011: MLB debut with Rockies.

• 2016: Selected to the All-Star Game.

• 2018: World Series with Red Sox.

• 2021–2023: Arm injuries and surgeries, absence from major league action.

• 2025: Return to MLB via Cubs trade.

Pomeranz’s career reflects the volatility and resilience demanded of professional pitchers — the shifts between starting and relief roles, the physical toll on arms, and the need to continuously adapt.

Legacy and Influence

While Drew Pomeranz may never be remembered as a Hall of Famer, his legacy lies in perseverance, flexibility, and deep knowledge of pitching craft:

• Journeyman resilience: He provides a model of longevity through adaptation — finding roles across teams and through injury.

• Pitching craft & evolution: His willingness to add or refine secondary pitches (e.g. knuckle-curve) shows a pitcher ever learning.

• Experience as value: For clubs seeking bullpen depth, veteran arms like his are assets, especially for mentoring younger pitchers.

• Underdog spirit: His comeback in 2025 after long injury spells illustrates the mental endurance required in pro sports.

Personality & Traits

From his public remarks, Pomeranz strikes as thoughtful, introspective, and focused on incremental improvement. He often frames setbacks as learning experiences — something he tries not to repeat.

He also emphasizes composure: “If something bad happens, I don’t dwell on it. Just give me the ball and let me pitch.”

In interviews, he acknowledges the pressure of being a pitcher and the need to manage expectations — both his own and external.

Memorable Quotes

Here are select quotes from Drew Pomeranz that offer insight into his mindset and approach:

• “Every time is a learning experience, and you pick up a little bit, and you learn things and try not to repeat them the next time.”

• “I just want to pitch well enough for us to win. In my mind, that’s what it’s all about.”

• “Six innings, you’re doing your job. That’s a good target to have, but I’m always looking to improve. There’s three more innings of improvement left.”

• “A change of scenery can help everything.”

• “I don’t mind walking guys as long as I don’t give up runs.”

• “After the first time I got traded … that was probably the … most crazy it could be.”

• “Repeating my mechanics was difficult. I was always trying to do something different to make it click.”

These reflect his humility, competitive focus, and mental approach to the ups and downs of pitching.

Lessons from Drew Pomeranz

1. Embrace continuous learning.
   His career shows that even veteran players must evolve — refine their pitch mix, adjust mechanics, and adapt to physical shifts.

2. Resilience through setbacks.
   Injuries and trades are part of the journey; how one responds defines longevity.

3. Focus on process over results.
   Many of his quotes emphasize performance, control, and incremental improvement over fame or stats.

4. Value composure.
   In a role as volatile as pitching, mental steadiness matters as much as physical ability.

Conclusion

Drew Pomeranz is not a superstar with a single, iconic career, but rather a compelling example of a professional athlete navigating peaks, transitions, and adversity over many years. His longevity, adaptability, and perspective offer lessons not only for pitchers, but for anyone pursuing long-term goals in competitive fields.