Kelvin Herrera
Kelvin Herrera | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Herrera with the Kansas City Royals | |||||||||||||||
Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
Born: Tenares, Dominican Republic | December 31, 1989|||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||
MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
September 21, 2011, for the Kansas City Royals | |||||||||||||||
Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||
July 26, 2020, for the Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||
MLB statistics | |||||||||||||||
Win–loss record | 27–32 | ||||||||||||||
Earned run average | 3.21 | ||||||||||||||
Strikeouts | 510 | ||||||||||||||
Saves | 61 | ||||||||||||||
Teams | |||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Medals
|
Kelvin de Jesús Herrera Mercado (born December 31, 1989) is a
Professional career
The
Kansas City Royals
Herrera was called up to MLB for the first time on September 21, 2011.[3] That day, he gave up three earned runs over two innings, against the Detroit Tigers.[4] He made one other appearance, on September 26, retiring all three batters he faced.[5]
In 2012, Herrera appeared in 76 games and posted a 2.35 ERA over 84 innings while striking out 77. On August 30, 2012, Herrera recorded his first career save, against Detroit.[6] Herrera spent part of the 2013 season in the minors. Herrera finished the season with an ERA of 3.86 in 58+1⁄3 innings pitched, striking out 74 at a rate of 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings, still a career mark. Herrera also surrendered a career-high nine home runs.[7]
In 2014, Herrera became the go-to seventh inning option for manager
During a game against the Oakland Athletics on April 19, 2015, Herrera was ejected for throwing a pitch behind Brett Lawrie.[9] One game prior to this incident, his teammate Yordano Ventura was also ejected for hitting Lawrie. On April 22, 2015, Herrera was suspended for five games.[10] Herrera appealed the suspension.[11] On April 25, 2015, Herrera was suspended an additional two games for his role in a brawl against the Chicago White Sox.[12] His four-seam fastball had the third-highest average speed of any MLB pitcher's pitches in 2015, at 98.4 mph.[13] Herrera, with the absence of Greg Holland in the 2015 postseason, became the eighth inning set-up man for the Royals. At the conclusion of the postseason, Herrera notched a 0.66 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 13+2⁄3 innings pitched with three holds.
Having spent the vast majority of his career as a seventh inning and eighth inning reliever, Herrera took over the role of the Kansas City Royals' closer following a sidelining injury to Wade Davis in 2016. Herrera collected 12 saves in 15 opportunities as closer. He ended his season with a 2.75 ERA, striking out 86 in 72 innings pitched surrendering a career low 12 walks in a season. Herrera was named to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game, his second consecutive trip to the Midsummer Classic. In 72 games, he had an ERA of 2.75 with 12 saves.[7]
After the trade of Wade Davis in 2017, Herrera was named the full-time closer for the Royals. He was 26-for-31 in save opportunities, ending the season with a career-high 4.25 ERA in 59+1⁄3 innings pitched.[7]
In 27 appearances for the 2018 Royals, Herrera compiled a 1.05 ERA with 14 saves, 22 strikeouts, and only two walks in 25+2⁄3 innings of work.[14]
Washington Nationals
On June 18, 2018, the Royals traded Herrera to the Washington Nationals in exchange for three minor-league players (third baseman Kelvin Gutiérrez, outfielder Blake Perkins, and right-handed pitcher Yohanse Morel).[14][15][16] With Washington he was 1–2 with three saves and a 4.34 ERA.[7] He became a free agent following the season.
Chicago White Sox
After he posted a combined 2.44 ERA for the Royals and the Nationals the previous season, the White Sox and Herrera agreed to a two-year deal on January 8, 2019. The contract carries an $8.5 million annual value and includes a club option worth $10 million for the 2021 season; it also includes a $1 million buyout.[17] His first season with the White Sox was disastrous, as he endured the worst season of his career. He was 3–3 with a 6.14 ERA in 57 games.
On July 31, 2020, Herrera was designated for assignment in order to make room for Nick Madrigal on the 40-man roster.[18] He was released on August 2.[19]
Chicago Cubs
On August 6, 2020, Herrera signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs.[20] Herrera was released on August 26, 2020.[21]
Retirement
On February 26, 2021, Herrera announced his retirement from professional baseball via his Twitter account.[22][23]
Scouting report
With an overhand delivery and quick explosion from the stretch, Herrera throws hard like many Dominican pitchers; his two-seam fastball averages about 97 mph and tops out at 103. He pairs his fastball with a deceptive changeup around 87–88 and an occasional curveball in the mid-80s. Herrera occasionally throws a sinker to induce groundball outs. His slider is often touted as his best off-speed pitch.[24]
References
- ^ "Kelvin Herrera". Retrosheet. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ Holt, Adam (June 23, 2011). "Kelvin Herrera, Wil Myers to represent Royals at Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
- ^ Hays, Matthew (September 21, 2011). "Kansas City Royals Designate Kila Ka'aihue For Assignment". SB Nation. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
- ^ "Detroit Tigers 6, Kansas City Royals 3". Retrosheet. September 21, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Kansas City Royals 7, Minnesota Twins 3". Retrosheet. September 26, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Kansas City Royals 2, Detroit Tigers 1". Retrosheet. August 30, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Kelvin Herrera Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com
- ^ Kepner, Tyler (October 13, 2014) Bullpen Gives Royals Three Reasons to Believe. New York Times
- ^ Cwik, Chris. "Herrera ejected for throwing at Lawrie, benches clear". sports.yahoo.com. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ McCollough, Andy. "Herrera suspended 5 games for throwing at Lawrie". kansascity.com. The Kansas City Star. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey. "Herrera to appeal 5-game suspension". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ "6 players suspended after Royals-Sox brawl. Herrera suspended 2 games". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ Statcast | MLB.com
- ^ a b Anonymous, "Right-handed reliever Kelvin Herrera traded to Nationals from Royals," ESPN, June 18, 2018, 8:36 p.m. EDT Retrieved June 18, 2018
- ^ Koch, Makenzie, "Royals trade All-Star pitcher Kelvin Herrera to Nationals for 3 minor league players," fox4kc.com, June 18, 2018, 7:13 p.m. CDT Retrieved June 18, 2018
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (June 18, 2018). "Nationals acquire reliever Kelvin Herrera from Royals to bolster back of the bullpen". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "White Sox sign Kelvin Herrera". Chicago Sun-Times. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (July 31, 2020). "White Sox Promote Nick Madrigal, Designate Kelvin Herrera". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ https://www.mlb.com/player/kelvin-herrera-516969
- ^ Gonzales, Mark (August 6, 2020). "Cubs sign former White Sox reliever Kelvin Herrera to minor league deal in effort to bolster bullpen". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ Byrne, Connor (August 26, 2020). "Cubs Release Kelvin Herrera". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ @KelvinHerrera40 (February 26, 2021). "Thank you, Baseball ✍🏼" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement". February 26, 2021.
- ^ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Kelvin Herrera". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Kelvin Herrera on X
- Kelvinh40 on Instagram