Kelvin Herrera

In thisSpanish name,the first or paternalsurnameisHerreraand the second or maternal family name isMercado.

Kelvin de Jesús Herrera Mercado(born December 31, 1989) is aDominicanformerprofessional baseballpitcher.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theKansas City Royalsfrom 2011 to 2018,Washington Nationalsin 2018, andChicago White Soxin 2019 and 2020. Herrera is a two-timeMLB All-Star.He is currently the mayor of his hometown,Tenares, Dominican Republic.

Kelvin Herrera
Herrera with the Kansas City Royals
Pitcher
Born:(1989-12-31)December 31, 1989 Tenares,Dominican Republic
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
Kansas City Royals(2011–2018) Washington Nationals(2018) Chicago White Sox(2019–2020)
Career highlights and awards
2×All-Star(2015,2016) World Serieschampion (2015)
Medals Men'sbaseball RepresentingDominican Republic World Baseball Classic 2013 San Francisco Team

Professional career

TheKansas City Royalssigned Herrera as an internationalfree agentin December 2006.From 2007 through 2013, he played for various teams in the Royals'farm system.Through 2010, he was inClass Aor below; he then reached bothDouble-AandTriple-Ain 2011. Along withWil Myers,Herrera represented the Royals at the 2011All-Star Futures Game.

Kansas City Royals

Herrera was called up to MLB for the first time on September 21, 2011.That day, he gave up three earned runs over two innings, against theDetroit Tigers.He made one other appearance, on September 26, retiring all three batters he faced.

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 careersave,against Detroit.Herrera spent part of the 2013 season in the minors. Herrera finished the season with an ERA of 3.86 in58+1⁄3innings 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.

In 2014, Herrera became the go-to seventh inning option for managerNed Yost.Along with set-up manWade Davisand closerGreg Holland,Herrera was part of one of the most prolific late inning trios in all of baseball.His ERA was 1.41, the best mark of his career, and he did not allow a home run during the entire regular season. He had his first professional at-bat in Game 3 of theWorld Seriesin San Francisco, when he struck out. He ended his first postseason with an aggregate 1.80 ERA, striking out 16 in 15 innings pitched.

During a game against theOakland Athleticson April 19, 2015, Herrera wasejectedfor throwing a pitch behindBrett Lawrie.One game prior to this incident, his teammateYordano Venturawas also ejected for hitting Lawrie. On April 22, 2015, Herrera was suspended for five games.Herrera appealed the suspension.On April 25, 2015, Herrera was suspended an additional two games for his role in a brawl against theChicago White Sox.Hisfour-seam fastballhad the third-highest average speed of any MLB pitcher's pitches in 2015, at 98.4mph.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 in13+2⁄3innings 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 toWade Davisin 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 the2016 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.

After the trade ofWade Davisin 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 in59+1⁄3innings pitched.

In 27 appearances for the2018 Royals,Herrera compiled a 1.05 ERA with 14saves,22 strikeouts, and only two walks in25+2⁄3innings of work.

Washington Nationals

On June 18, 2018, the Royals traded Herrera to theWashington Nationalsin exchange for three minor-league players (third basemanKelvin Gutiérrez,outfielderBlake Perkins,and right-handed pitcher Yohanse Morel).With Washington he was 1–2 with three saves and a 4.34 ERA.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.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 forNick Madrigalon the 40-man roster.He was released on August 2.

Chicago Cubs

On August 6, 2020, Herrera signed a minor league deal with theChicago Cubs.Herrera was released on August 26, 2020.

Retirement

On February 26, 2021, Herrera announced his retirement from professional baseball via his Twitter account.

Scouting report

With an overhand delivery and quick explosion from the stretch, Herrera throws hard like many Dominican pitchers; his two-seamfastballaverages about 97 mph and tops out at 103. He pairs his fastball with a deceptivechangeuparound 87–88 and an occasionalcurveballin the mid-80s. Herrera occasionally throws a sinker to induce groundball outs. His slider is often touted as his best off-speed pitch.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet
• Kelvin HerreraonTwitter
• Kelvinh40onInstagram