Kevin Herget

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Kevin Herget

| image = Kevin Herget (53151988874) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Herget with the Louisville Bats in 2023

| width = 200

| team = Atlanta Braves

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|4|3}}

| birth_place = Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 13

| debutyear = 2022

| debutteam = Tampa Bay Rays

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = April 29, 2025

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 1–3

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.63

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 27

| teams =

Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2022}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2023}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2024}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2025}})

}}

Kevin R. Herget (born April 3, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Career

=Amateur career=

Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, Herget played prep baseball at Park Ridge High School in Park Ridge, New Jersey.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=herget000kev Kevin Herget], Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed August 21, 2022. "Born: April 3, 1991 (Age: 31-140d) in Teaneck, NJ... High School: Park Ridge HS (Park Ridge, NJ)" As a senior in 2009, he helped lead his team to the Group 1 championship, its first state title since 1977. That year he posted a 1.62 ERA, a 9-2 record and led the team with 8 home runs, 40 runs and 33 RBI. He also wrestled and played soccer in high school.{{Cite web |last=Tredinnick |first=Andrew |title=Kevin Herget: 3 things to know about Mets' new reliever and North Jersey native |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/mets/2025/04/29/kevin-herget-ny-mets-pitcher-nj-native-contract/83351358007/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US}}

Herget attended Kean University, where he played Division III college baseball. He set Kean records in innings (345), strikeouts (356) and wins (31). As a senior in 2015, his 106 strikeouts were the second-most in Division III. His teams reached the NCAA Division III World Series in three straight seasons. He was inducted into Kean's Hall of Fame in 2021. Herget was the first baseball player to have his number 16 retired by the university.{{Cite web |title=MLB Player Kevin Herget Honored at Kean University with Jersey Number Retirement |url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/cranford/sections/sports/articles/mlb-player-kevin-herget-honored-at-kean-university-with-jersey-number-retirement |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=TAPinto |language=en}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Herget in the 39th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |last1=Forde |first1=Mitchell |title=Memphis pitcher Herget keeps proving himself |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/memphis-pitcher-herget-keeps-proving-himself/article_c98bb542-3d4e-5d53-bbc4-3ecf094ec58f.html |website=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=July 17, 2017 |access-date=August 19, 2022}}

"I knew there was a chance I would get drafted, but never expected it. So that morning I was on a coaching job interview for the summer. Obviously, throughout the day I was peaking at the draft on my phone. Once they got to round 37, I thought my baseball career was over. So I was at home just watching TV with my girlfriend and my family. When I got the call, I was in shock and was just really happy someone gave me a chance. So it's safe to say it was a day filled with a wide range of emotions."{{Cite web |title=A SIT-DOWN with Kevin Herget |url=https://archive.tcpalm.com/specialty-publications/jupiter-courier/a-sit-down-with-kevin-herget-321ed00a-3cad-7925-e053-0100007f705c-378408511.html |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=www.tcpalm.com |language=en}}

He made his professional debut with the Low-A State College Spikes. In 2014, he split the season between the Single-A Peoria Chiefs and High-A Palm Beach Cardinals, pitching to a cumulative 8–3 record and 2.71 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 4 saves in {{fraction|76|1|3}} innings of work. He spent 2015 with Palm Beach and the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, posting a 5–2 record and 2.64 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 7 saves in 42 appearances. In 2016, Herget reached Triple-A for the first time with the Memphis Redbirds. In 49 appearances between Palm Beach, Springfield, and Memphis, he recorded a 5–0 record and 2.02 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 16 saves in {{fraction|62|1|3}} innings pitched.

In 2017, Herget played for Springfield and Memphis, pitching to a 5–4 record and 3.97 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 5 saves in {{fraction|81|2|3}} innings of work. He spent the 2018 season with Memphis and recorded a 9–11 record and 4.61 ERA with 121 strikeouts in {{fraction|138|2|3}} innings pitched across 28 games (22 starts). After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Herget missed the majority of the 2019 season as a result, making only two rehab appearances with the Gulf Coast Cardinals. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=March 18, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}} Herget became a minor league free agent on November 2, 2020.{{Cite web|title=Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/full-list-of-2020-2021-milb-free-agents/|access-date=September 17, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}{{cite web |title=Kevin Herget |url=https://thecardinalnation.com/player/kevin-herget/ |website=The Cardinal Nation |date=May 22, 2017 |access-date=August 19, 2022}}

=Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks=

On January 25, 2021, Herget signed with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://aabaseball.com/transactions/2021-transactions/ | title=American Association of Professional Baseball - 2021 Transactions }} He started one game for the team, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings pitched en route to the victory.

=Cleveland Indians=

On May 24, 2021, Herget's contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians organization.{{cite web |title=Kevin Herget stats |url=https://www.milb.com/player/kevin-herget-643361 |website=Minor League Baseball |access-date=April 14, 2024}}{{Cite web|title=Kevin Herget Contract Bought By Indians; Fourth Redhawks To Join MLB Club|url=https://www.kvrr.com/2021/05/24/kevin-herget-contract-bought-by-indians-fourth-redhawk-to-join-mlb-club/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=kvrr.com|date=May 25, 2021 |language=en}} Herget made 28 appearances (7 starts) for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, posting a 7–5 record and 4.48 ERA with 85 strikeouts and 2 saves in {{fraction|80|1|3}} innings pitched. He was released by the organization on October 4.{{cite web | url=https://www.leader-call.com/opinion/columnists/never-give-up/article_700338e0-2578-11ed-8075-ef91b29afb06.html | title=Never give up | date=August 26, 2022 }}

=Charleston Dirty Birds=

On April 12, 2022, Herget signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions }} On April 19, the team announced that Herget would be their opening day starter against the Staten Island FerryHawks.{{Cite web|title=Kevin Herget tabbed as Dirty Birds opening-game starter|url=https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/charleston_dirty_birds/kevin-herget-tabbed-as-dirty-birds-opening-game-starter/article_b75880b4-6674-58f6-b1e5-ac554ac01608.html|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=wvgazettemail.com|date=April 19, 2022 |language=en}} In three starts for the club, Herget pitched to a 4.24 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 17 innings of work.

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On May 11, 2022, the Tampa Bay Rays signed Herget to a minor league deal. With the Triple-A Durham Bulls, he posted a 2.45 earned run average (ERA) in {{frac|80|2|3}} innings. On August 19, the Rays selected Herget to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. However, he was designated for assignment on August 23 and cleared waivers without appearing in a game, briefly becoming a phantom ballplayer.{{cite web |title=Kevin Herget: Contract selected by Rays |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-kevin-herget-contract-selected-by-rays/ |website=CBS Sports|date=August 19, 2022 }}

He was selected again to the major league roster on September 12,{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Darragh |title=Rays Make Several Roster Moves |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/09/rays-to-select-cooper-criswell-kevin-herget-javy-guerra.html |website=mlbtraderumors |date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022}} and made his major league debut the next day. On September 22, Herget was designated for assignment. He again cleared waivers and was sent outright to Durham on September 26.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Kevin Herget: Passes through waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-kevin-herget-passes-through-waivers/amp/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On October 3, Herget's contract was once again selected after Easton McGee was designated for assignment.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Kevin Herget: Back on 40-man, active roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-kevin-herget-back-on-40-man-active-roster/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 3, 2022 |language=en}} He allowed four runs in 4.1 innings pitched against the Boston Red Sox, and was designated for assignment the next day.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Kevin Herget: Dropped from roster again|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-kevin-herget-dropped-from-roster-again/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 4, 2022 |language=en}} He cleared waivers for a third time on October 6.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Kevin Herget: Clears waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-kevin-herget-clears-waivers/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 12, 2022 |language=en}} He rounded out his rookie campaign with three major-league appearances, going 0–1 with a 7.71 ERA and 4 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched. On October 14, Herget elected to become a free agent.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Kevin Herget: Hits open market|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-kevin-herget-hits-open-market/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 18, 2022 |language=en}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On November 10, 2022, Herget signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. Herget did not make the team out of spring training and was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats to begin the 2023 season.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Kevin Herget: Reassigned to minors camp|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-kevin-herget-reassigned-to-minors-camp/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=March 15, 2023 |language=en}}

On April 5, 2023, Herget was selected to the 40-man roster, and promoted to the active roster to replace Joel Kuhnel, who was optioned to Triple-A.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Bennett Sousa: Dropped from 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-bennett-sousa-dropped-from-40-man-roster/amp/|access-date=April 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On May 11, against the New York Mets, Herget entered the game in the seventh inning and pitched three scoreless innings to record his first career save.[https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-kevin-herget-nails-down-three-inning-save/ Reds' Kevin Herget nails down three-inning save]. cbssports.com via RotoWire. May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023. In 11 appearances for Cincinnati, he registered a 5.73 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 22 innings of work. Herget was designated for assignment by Cincinnati on June 19, after Joey Votto was activated from the injured list.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Kevin Herget: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-kevin-herget-designated-for-assignment/amp/|access-date=June 19, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Louisville on June 22.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Kevin Herget: Outrighted to Louisville|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-kevin-herget-outrighted-to-louisville/amp/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On September 5, Herget was selected back to the major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Kevin Herget: Selected to MLB bullpen|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-kevin-herget-selected-to-mlb-bullpen/|access-date=September 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was designated for assignment again on September 8.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Kevin Herget: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-kevin-herget-designated-for-assignment-898161/amp/|access-date=September 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Herget cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Louisville on September 10.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Kevin Herget: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-kevin-herget-outrighted-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=September 12, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On October 3, he elected free agency.{{Cite web|title=Kevin Herget: Elects free agency|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/kevin-herget-elects-free-agency/|access-date=October 3, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On February 22, 2024, Herget signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-02-22 He began the year with the Triple–A Nashville Sounds, logging three scoreless outings. On April 9, Herget was selected to the major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Brewers Select Kevin Herget|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/04/brewers-select-kevin-herget.html|access-date=April 9, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He was designated for assignment on April 14 without having appeared in a game for Milwaukee.{{Cite web|title=Brewers Claim Corbin Martin|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/04/brewers-claim-corbin-martin.html|access-date=April 14, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} On April 18, Herget cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Nashville.{{Cite web|title=Brewers Outright Kevin Herget|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/04/brewers-outright-kevin-herget.html|access-date=April 22, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} On May 6, the Brewers selected Herget's contract, adding him back to the major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Brewers Select Kevin Herget|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/brewers-select-kevin-herget-2.html|access-date=May 6, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 7 total appearances for Milwaukee, he logged a 1.59 ERA with 9 strikeouts across {{fraction|11|1|3}} innings pitched.

=New York Mets=

On November 4, 2024, Herget was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.{{Cite web|title=Mets Claim Kevin Herget From Brewers|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/mets-claim-kevin-herget-from-brewers.html|access-date=November 4, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He was optioned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Mets trim eight more players in next round of roster cuts|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/mets/news/mets-trim-eight-more-players-in-next-round-of-roster-cuts-michael9|access-date=March 12, 2025|website=si.com|language=en}} Herget was 1–0 with a 3.72 ERA in Syracuse when he was called up on April 29, 2025, after José Ureña was designated for assignment.{{Cite web |last=Surovich |first=Linda |date=2025-04-29 |title=Mets call up Kevin Herget, DFA José Ureña |url=https://www.amazinavenue.com/2025/4/29/24420412/mets-call-up-kevin-herget-dfa-jose-urena |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Amazin' Avenue |language=en}} Herget entered the game in the 8th inning allowing two runs, but got through the final two innings of the Mets 8–3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{Cite web |title=Mets blast three home runs, play sparkling defense in 8-3 win over Diamondbacks |url=https://sny.tv/articles/mets-diamondbacks-takeaways-4-29-25 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=sny.tv}}{{Cite web |last=McCague |first=Allison |date=2025-04-29 |title=Mets 8, Diamondbacks 3: Mets get it done on both sides of the ball in clean victory |url=https://www.amazinavenue.com/2025/4/29/24420507/new-york-mets-arizona-diamondbacks-recap-mlb-acuna-taylor-marte-lindor-alonso-peterson-butto |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Amazin' Avenue |language=en}} On April 30, Herget was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-01 |title=Kevin Herget optioned to Triple-A |url=https://www.fantasypros.com/mlb/news/517832/kevin-herget-optioned-to-triple-a.php |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=FantasyPros |language=en}} He was designated for assignment on May 15.{{cite news |title=Mets acquire LHP Jose Castillo from Diamondbacks for cash considerations |url=https://sny.tv/articles/mets-acquire-jose-castillo-diamondbacks |access-date=May 16, 2025 |publisher=SNY |date=May 15, 2025}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On May 18, 2025, Herget was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and optioned to the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers.{{Cite web|title=Braves Claim Kevin Herget|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/braves-claim-kevin-herget.html|access-date=May 18, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}