Kevin Herget Bio
Kevin R. Herget (born April 3, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who has spent more than a decade moving through the minor leagues and Major League Baseball. He has played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta Braves, and most recently in the New York Mets organization. Known for a long journey through independent and minor-league baseball, Herget reached the majors in 2022 and has since become a steady bullpen presence for several National League clubs.
Early Life and Background
Kevin R. Herget was born on April 3, 1991, in Teaneck, New Jersey. He grew up in northern New Jersey and attended Park Ridge High School, where he played prep baseball. As a senior in 2009, Herget helped lead Park Ridge to the Group 1 state championship, the program’s first state title since 1977. That season he posted a 1.62 ERA with a 9–2 record and led the team with 8 home runs, 40 runs scored, and 33 runs batted in. In addition to baseball, he also wrestled and played soccer during his high school years.
After high school, Herget attended Kean University, where he played Division III college baseball. He set school records in innings pitched (345), strikeouts (356), and wins (31) over his career. As a senior in 2015, his 106 strikeouts ranked second in Division III. Herget helped lead his teams to the NCAA Division III World Series in three straight seasons. He was inducted into the Kean University Hall of Fame in 2021, and was the first baseball player in school history to have his number 16 retired.
Path to Baseball
Herget entered professional baseball in 2013, when the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 39th round of the MLB draft. He recalled being on a summer coaching job interview when he received the call, surprised that a Major League club had given him a chance. He began his career in the lower levels of the Cardinals farm system and steadily climbed through Single-A, High-A, and Double-A before reaching Triple-A in 2016.
His path to the majors was delayed by injuries and the cancellation of the 2020 minor-league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After becoming a minor-league free agent, Herget pitched in independent leagues, including the American Association and the Atlantic League, before signing with the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2022. That same year, he finally made his Major League debut, a milestone that came nearly a decade after he was first drafted.
Kevin Herget Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
Herget spent his first six professional seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He made his professional debut with the Low-A State College Spikes in 2013. In 2014, he split the year between the Single-A Peoria Chiefs and High-A Palm Beach Cardinals, posting an 8–3 record with a 2.71 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and 4 saves across 76+ innings. In 2015, he pitched for Palm Beach and the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, going 5–2 with a 2.64 ERA and 7 saves.
By 2016, Herget had advanced to Triple-A Memphis and recorded a 5–0 record with a 2.02 ERA and 16 saves across three levels. He returned to Springfield and Memphis in 2017, then spent most of 2018 in Memphis, where he logged a 9–11 record and a 4.61 ERA in 28 games, including 22 starts. After the 2018 season, Herget underwent Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for nearly all of 2019. He also did not play in 2020 because the minor-league season was canceled. He became a minor-league free agent on November 2, 2020.
Independent Baseball and MLB Breakthrough (2021–2022)
After six years in the Cardinals system, Herget signed with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association in January 2021. He made one start, allowing one run over seven innings to earn a win. Later that year, he joined the Cleveland Indians organization, where he posted a 7–5 record and a 4.48 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 28 appearances for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.
Herget returned to affiliated baseball in 2022, signing a minor-league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched to a 2.45 ERA in more than 80 innings for the Triple-A Durham Bulls before being selected to the 40-man roster in August. He was designated for assignment before appearing in a game, became a phantom ballplayer, and was eventually selected again in September. Herget made his Major League debut on September 13, 2022, against the Boston Red Sox. He finished the year with three MLB appearances, going 0–1 with a 7.71 ERA, and elected free agency in October 2022.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2022–2023)
On November 10, 2022, Herget signed a minor-league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats before being promoted to the major-league roster on April 5. On May 11, 2023, against the New York Mets, Herget recorded his first career save, pitching three scoreless innings. He appeared in 11 games for Cincinnati, posting a 5.73 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 22 innings.
Herget was designated for assignment multiple times during the 2023 season but was also recalled to the majors in September. He elected free agency in October 2023, ending his time with the Reds organization after one full major-league season.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2024)
Herget signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in February 2024 and began the year with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. He was selected to the major-league roster on April 9, then designated for assignment without appearing in a game before clearing waivers. After being outrighted to Nashville, the Brewers recalled him on May 6. In seven total appearances for Milwaukee, Herget recorded a 1.59 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 11+ innings, marking one of the most efficient stretches of his big-league career.
New York Mets Era (2024–2025)
On November 4, 2024, Herget was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets and optioned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets to begin the 2025 season. He 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. Herget entered the game in the eighth inning and got through the final two innings of the Mets’ 8–3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was optioned back to Syracuse the next day and designated for assignment on May 15.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025)
On May 18, 2025, the Atlanta Braves claimed Herget off waivers and optioned him to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. He made one scoreless appearance for Atlanta before being designated for assignment on July 11. Herget elected free agency on July 13 after clearing waivers.
New York Mets Return (2025)
On July 19, 2025, the New York Mets signed Herget to a minor-league contract and selected him to their active roster. In six appearances for New York, he recorded a 3.00 ERA with six strikeouts across 12 innings of work. He was designated for assignment on September 27 and elected free agency two days later. On December 18, 2025, Herget re-signed with the Mets on a minor-league contract.
Notable Events and Milestones
Herget’s most significant career moment came on September 13, 2022, when he made his MLB debut for the Tampa Bay Rays, nearly a decade after being drafted in the 39th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He also earned his first career save on May 11, 2023, while pitching for the Cincinnati Reds. In 2021, Herget was inducted into the Kean University Hall of Fame and had his jersey number 16 retired by the school.
Kevin Herget Career Wins
Kevin R. Herget has recorded victories across the minor leagues, independent leagues, and Major League Baseball. His professional win total includes strong performances at every level, from State College to Syracuse, and he has added MLB wins during brief stints with Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and New York. Independent of his win total, Herget’s career reflects durability, late-career perseverance, and steady bullpen production for several organizations.
Minor League and Independent Highlights
During his six seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals system, Herget combined to post a 32–20 record with 435 strikeouts across more than 400 innings pitched. In 2014, he went 8–3 with Peoria and Palm Beach, and in 2018 he was a workhorse for Memphis, throwing 138+ innings. After becoming a free agent, he earned a win for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in 2021, posted a 7–5 record with Columbus in Triple-A, and added key innings for the Durham Bulls in 2022, helping pave the way for his eventual MLB debut.
MLB Highlights
Herget’s first MLB win came with the New York Mets in 2025, when he helped close out an 8–3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has also recorded a save in his career and has produced effective bullpen innings for Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and New York. Across his MLB career, Herget has appeared in games for five different organizations, a testament to his durability and adaptability.
Kevin Herget Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Kevin R. Herget was raised in northern New Jersey and comes from a family that supported his long pursuit of professional baseball. He was at home with his girlfriend and his family when he received the call from the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 informing him he had been drafted. Details about his parents and family members have not been publicly verified.
Personal Life
Herget has kept most of his personal life private. He has been open about the role of his family and girlfriend in his career journey, particularly during the years he spent moving between independent and affiliated baseball. He continues to focus on his professional career as a relief pitcher.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was one of the busiest years of Kevin R. Herget’s Major League career. After starting the year with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, he was promoted on April 29 and helped the Mets defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8–3 with two innings of relief work. Following a brief demotion and a stretch with the Atlanta Braves, he returned to the Mets in July and went on to post a 3.00 ERA in six appearances for New York before being designated for assignment in late September.
Across his 2025 MLB stints, Herget provided reliable bullpen depth and experienced multiple transitions between organizations, including Atlanta and two separate stints with New York. His ability to bounce back to the majors after each designation for assignment highlighted his value as a depth arm. On December 18, 2025, Herget re-signed with the New York Mets on a minor-league contract, setting the stage for his return to Syracuse and another opportunity to compete for a major-league roster spot in 2026.