Kevin R. Herget Bio
Kevin R. Herget is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played for multiple Major League Baseball organizations since making his MLB debut in 2022. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, Herget has built a professional baseball career spanning over a dozen seasons, progressing from college baseball at Kean University through the minor leagues and into major league action. He is currently in the New York Mets organization and has previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta Braves.
Early Life and Background
Kevin R. Herget was born on April 3, 1991, in Teaneck, New Jersey. He attended Park Ridge High School in Park Ridge, New Jersey, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. During his senior year in 2009, Herget established himself as a dominant pitcher, posting a remarkable 1.62 earned run average and a 9-2 record while helping lead his team to the Group 1 state championship, the program’s first state title since 1977. That season he also led his team with 8 home runs, 40 runs, and 33 runs batted in. Beyond baseball, Herget competed in wrestling and soccer during his high school years, demonstrating his athletic versatility.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout high school career, Herget continued his baseball journey at Kean University, where he played Division III college baseball. At Kean, he developed into one of the most accomplished pitchers in the university’s history, setting school records in career innings pitched (345), strikeouts (356), and wins (31). As a senior in 2015, his 106 strikeouts ranked as the second-most in all of Division III baseball. His Kean Cougars teams qualified for the NCAA Division III World Series in three consecutive seasons during his collegiate career. Herget’s exceptional achievements earned him induction into the Kean University Hall of Fame in 2021, and he became the first baseball player in university history to have his number 16 officially retired.
Despite his impressive collegiate statistics, Herget was not selected in the Major League Baseball draft until 2013, when the St. Louis Cardinals chose him in the 39th round. Reflecting on the moment, Herget noted that he was preparing for a coaching job interview the morning of the draft and had nearly concluded his baseball career was over by round 37, making the unexpected call from the Cardinals a thrilling surprise.
Kevin R. Herget Career
Minor League Development (2013-2021)
Herget began his professional career immediately after being drafted, making his debut with the Low-A State College Spikes in 2013. He steadily climbed the minor league ladder within the Cardinals organization over the following years. In 2014, he split the season between the Single-A Peoria Chiefs and High-A Palm Beach Cardinals, accumulating an impressive 8-3 record with a 2.71 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and 4 saves across 76⅓ innings pitched. His performance in 2015 included a 5-2 record and 2.64 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 7 saves in 42 relief appearances for Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield.
Herget reached Triple-A for the first time in 2016 with the Memphis Redbirds, appearing in 49 total games and recording a 5-0 record with a 2.02 ERA and 16 saves. He continued his solid work with Springfield and Memphis in 2017, posting a 5-4 record with a 3.97 ERA and 81 strikeouts. His 2018 season with Memphis represented his heaviest workload as a professional, as he went 9-11 with a 4.61 ERA and 121 strikeouts across 138⅔ innings in 28 games, including 22 starts. Tragically, Herget underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, which caused him to miss the majority of that season, making only two rehabilitation appearances with the Gulf Coast Cardinals. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the entire 2020 minor league season, and Herget became a minor league free agent that November.
After leaving the Cardinals organization, Herget signed with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association of Professional Baseball in January 2021. He made one start for Fargo-Moorhead, allowing just one run on three hits over seven innings pitched. In May 2021, the Cleveland Indians organization purchased his contract, and he appeared in 28 games (7 starts) for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, compiling a 7-5 record with a 4.48 ERA and 85 strikeouts before being released in October.
Tampa Bay Rays Breakthrough (2022)
Herget signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on May 11, 2022, joining their Triple-A Durham Bulls affiliate. He posted outstanding numbers with Durham, recording a 2.45 ERA in 80⅔ innings pitched. The Rays selected him to their 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time on August 19, though he was designated for assignment just four days later without appearing in a game, making him a brief phantom ballplayer.
Herget was selected to the major league roster again on September 12 and made his MLB debut the following day. He appeared in three games for the Rays during the 2022 season, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks with four strikeouts across seven innings, taking the loss in his debut appearance against the Boston Red Sox. The Rays designated him for assignment twice more during his time with the organization, and he cleared waivers each time. He elected free agency at the end of the season.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2023)
On November 10, 2022, Herget signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. He began the 2023 season with Triple-A Louisville Bats after not making the major league roster out of spring training. On April 5, 2023, the Reds selected him to their 40-man roster and promoted him to the active major league roster. His most significant moment came on May 11, 2023, when he entered a game against the New York Mets in the seventh inning and pitched three scoreless innings to record his first career MLB save.
Herget appeared in 11 games total for Cincinnati that season, posting a 5.73 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 22 innings. The Reds designated him for assignment on June 19 after Joey Votto returned from the injured list, and he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Louisville. He was selected back to the major league roster in early September before being designated for assignment again just days later, ultimately returning to Louisville where he finished the season. He elected free agency in October.
Milwaukee Brewers (2024)
Herget signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on February 22, 2024, on another minor league contract and reported to Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the season. After three scoreless appearances with Nashville, he was selected to the major league roster on April 9. His time with Milwaukee was brief at the major league level, as he was designated for assignment on April 14 without having appeared in a game. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville on April 18.
The Brewers selected his contract again on May 6, returning him to the major league roster. Herget responded with his most effective MLB performance of the season, logging a 1.59 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 11⅓ innings in 7 total appearances for Milwaukee before the end of his tenure with the organization.
New York Mets and Atlanta Braves (2025)
On November 4, 2024, the New York Mets claimed Herget off waivers. He reported to Triple-A Syracuse Mets to begin the 2025 season, where he compiled a 1-0 record with a 3.72 ERA before receiving a promotion to the major leagues on April 29 after José Ureña was designated for assignment. He entered the game in the eighth inning, allowing two runs before completing the final two innings of an 8-3 Mets victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Mets optioned him back to Syracuse the following day.
Herget was designated for assignment by the Mets on May 15, and the Atlanta Braves claimed him off waivers five days later, assigning him to Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. He made one scoreless appearance for Atlanta before being designated for assignment on July 11. After clearing waivers and electing free agency on July 13, Herget signed with the Mets again on July 18, 2025, and was promoted to their active roster the following day. In six total appearances during this stint with New York, he recorded a 3.00 ERA with 6 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched. The Mets designated him for assignment on September 27, and he elected free agency on September 29.
Herget re-signed with the Mets on a minor league contract on December 18, 2025, securing his place in the organization heading into the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his professional career, Herget has demonstrated remarkable durability and adaptability, successfully transitioning between starting and relief roles across multiple organizations. His ability to log heavy innings was particularly evident during his minor league career, including a 138⅔-inning campaign with Memphis in 2018. As a reliever at the major league level, he has shown the capacity to pitch multiple innings effectively, exemplified by his three-inning save performance against the Mets in 2023. His persistence through roster transactions and adversity, including Tommy John surgery, exemplifies his mental toughness and professional approach to the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Herget achieved his MLB dream after being selected in the 39th round of the 2013 draft, ultimately making his major league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on September 13, 2022. His first career MLB save came against his hometown New York Mets on May 11, 2023, while playing for the Cincinnati Reds, a memorable moment for the New Jersey native. During his minor league career, he set Kean University records that still stand and became the first baseball player in school history to have his number retired. His 2025 season featured two stints with the Mets and a brief appearance with the Braves, demonstrating his continued ability to earn opportunities at the highest level.
Kevin R. Herget Career Wins
Throughout his professional baseball career, Kevin R. Herget has compiled a career MLB record of 1 win and 3 losses with a 4.20 earned run average and 32 strikeouts across 27 major league appearances. His professional journey spans over a dozen seasons in minor league baseball, accumulating extensive experience across multiple organizations and levels of competition.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Herget made his major league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on September 13, 2022, appearing in three games during his inaugural MLB campaign and taking the loss in his debut appearance against the Boston Red Sox. His most memorable MLB moment came on May 11, 2023, when he earned his first career save by pitching three scoreless innings against the New York Mets while playing for the Cincinnati Reds. During the 2025 season, Herget appeared in a combined 6 MLB games between the Mets and Atlanta Braves organizations, posting a combined 3.00 ERA with 6 strikeouts across 12 innings of work. His 2024 season with Milwaukee represented his most effective MLB performance, as he logged a 1.59 ERA across 7 appearances.
Minor League Achievements
Throughout his minor league career, Herget has accumulated numerous standout performances at the Triple-A level. His 2018 season with Memphis stands out as his most prolific, as he recorded 121 strikeouts across 138⅔ innings while making 22 starts. Earlier in his career, he posted a combined 8-3 record with a 2.71 ERA in 2014 and maintained sub-3.00 ERA marks during several relief-heavy campaigns. In 2022 with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League, Herget pitched to a 4.24 ERA across 3 starts, including being named the team’s opening day starter.
Kevin R. Herget Family
Personal Life
Kevin R. Herget was born on April 3, 1991, in Teaneck, New Jersey, and attended Park Ridge High School in the same state. While public information regarding his immediate family members is limited, his baseball career has been defined by persistence and resilience, including his journey through multiple organizations at both the minor and major league levels.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another year of transition and opportunity for Kevin R. Herget, as he navigated between major league and Triple-A assignments while playing for two different organizations. He began the season with the Syracuse Mets, where he posted a 1-0 record with a 3.72 ERA before earning a promotion to the major leagues in late April. After appearing in a game for the Mets, he was optioned back to Syracuse and subsequently designated for assignment in mid-May, leading to his claim by the Atlanta Braves organization.
With the Braves, Herget appeared in just one scoreless game before being designated for assignment again in July. He found his way back to the Mets organization, signing a minor league contract and joining the major league roster in late July. During this second stint with New York, he delivered his most consistent performance of the season, recording a 3.00 ERA across 6 appearances with 12 innings pitched. His ability to perform effectively when given opportunities demonstrated his continued value as a professional pitcher.
Herget concluded the 2025 season with a combined 3.00 ERA across his MLB appearances and re-signed with the Mets in December on another minor league contract, positioning himself for an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during 2026 spring training. His career MLB statistics entering 2026 include a 1-3 win-loss record, a 4.20 ERA, and 32 strikeouts across 27 major league games pitched.