Biography
Jimmy Matthew Herget (/ˈhərɡɛt/ HER-get; born September 9, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, and Atlanta Braves.
Career
Amateur career
Herget graduated from Jefferson High School in Tampa, Florida, where he was an outfielder with its varsity baseball team. He was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 40th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He did not sign with the Braves and attended the University of South Florida to play college baseball for the South Florida Bulls.
In 2014, Herget played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2015, as a junior, he went 10–3 with a 2.92 ERA in 17 games (16 starts).
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds selected Herget in the 22nd round of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his professional debut with the Billings Mustangs and spent all of 2015 there, posting a 3–0 record with a 3.20 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 25+1⁄3 innings. In 2016, he played for the Daytona Tortugas where he compiled a 4–4 record, 1.78 ERA, and 83 strikeouts in 60+2⁄3 innings. In 2017, he played for both the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Louisville Bats, pitching to a combined 4–4 record with a 2.90 ERA and 72 strikeouts over 62 innings. He represented the Reds at the 2017 All-Star Futures Game. He spent 2018 back with Louisville, going 1–3 with a 3.47 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 59+2⁄3 innings. The Reds added Herget to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season. He returned to Louisville to begin 2019, and went 3–4 with a 2.91 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 58+2⁄3 innings for them.
On July 1, 2019, the Reds promoted Herget to the major leagues. He made his debut on July 7, allowing 3 runs over 2⁄3 innings pitched. He pitched 6.1 innings for the Reds in 2019, posting a 4.26 ERA. Herget was designated for assignment on November 25, 2019.
Texas Rangers
On December 2, 2019, Herget was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers from the Cincinnati Reds. Herget was designated for assignment on December 21, 2019. He was outrighted on January 9, 2020. On July 31, 2020, Herget's contract was selected to the 40-man roster. On December 2, 2020, Herget was non-tendered by Texas. On December 11, 2020, Herget signed a major league deal with the Rangers. On February 16, 2021, Herget was designated for assignment by Texas after they acquire Josh Sborz. On February 20, Herget was outrighted and invited to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. On August 1, Texas selected his contact to the active roster, after opening the season with the Round Rock Express. After giving up 4 runs in 4 innings pitched, Herget was designated for assignment on August 13. He became a free agent on August 15.
Los Angeles Angels
On August 16, 2021, Herget signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He was then assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. After making 4 appearances with Salt Lake, going 0–1 with a 13.50 ERA and 5 strikeouts, the Angels selected Herget's contract on August 31, 2021. He had a 2.48 ERA with nine saves in 69 innings pitched while working almost exclusively out of the bullpen in 2022.
Herget made 29 appearances for the Angels in 2023, registering a 2–4 record and 4.66 ERA with 26 strikeouts across 29.0 innings pitched. He was optioned to Triple–A Salt Lake to begin the 2024 season. On April 28, 2024, Herget was designated for assignment following the promotion of Zac Kristofak.
Atlanta Braves
On May 2, 2024, Herget was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations and assigned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. On May 25, Herget was recalled to the big-league club, making his Braves debut later that day, pitching a scoreless inning and recording two strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 8 games for the Braves, Herget compiled a 4.38 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 12+1⁄3 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment by Atlanta on September 11.
Chicago Cubs
On September 13, 2024, Herget was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. He made 4 scoreless appearances for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, striking out 5 batters in 4+1⁄3 innings pitched. Herget was designated for assignment by Chicago on November 4.
Colorado Rockies
On November 8, 2024, Herget was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies.
Pitching style
Herget's unconventional sidearm delivery and high spin rate have generated a curveball and sinker which both have effective horizontal movement. The frisbee-like action of his pitches has earned him the nickname "The Human Glitch" from Rob Friedman.