Daniel Herrera (baseball)

Daniel Ray Herrera (born October 21, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets.

Daniel Ray Herrera
Herrera with the New York Mets
Relief pitcher
Born: (1984-10-21) October 21, 1984
Odessa, Texas
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
June 3, 2008, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 2011, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Win–Loss record5–8
Earned run average3.72
Strikeouts71
Teams

Herrera became well known among baseball fans both for his small stature and for his unique pitch repertoire. He was one of the smallest pitchers in recent Major League Baseball history at 5' 6", and one of the few to throw a true screwball.[1]

Playing career

Herrera attended Permian High School in Odessa, Texas. Undrafted out of high school, he was chosen by the Texas Rangers in the 45th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft out of the University of New Mexico, where he played for the New Mexico Lobos baseball team.[2] It was in college that Herrera developed his screwball (out of dissatisfaction with his changeup).[3][1]

Herrera pitching for the Reds in 2009

Cincinnati Reds

On December 21, 2007, Herrera was traded by the Rangers along with Edinson Vólquez to the Cincinnati Reds for Josh Hamilton.

He made his Major League debut on June 3, 2008, pitching a scoreless inning. Entering the game with men on base and no outs, he induced Shane Victorino to ground out, and after an intentional walk to Chase Utley he struck out both Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell.[4] Two days after his debut, he was optioned back to AAA Louisville to make room on the roster for starting pitcher Homer Bailey.

He was briefly recalled again on June 10, 2008; however, he was sent down just four days later when pitcher Gary Majewski returned from the bereavement list. He made just one appearance during his second stint, pitching two innings while giving up three runs on four hits, striking out two.

In 2009, Herrera made the Reds out of spring training. He recorded his first victory of his career on June 16, 2009 after relieving Aaron Harang in the top of the third inning following an extended rain delay.[5] He pitched three scoreless innings, giving up two hits while striking out two.[6]

Milwaukee Brewers

On May 23, 2011, Herrera was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers[7] and optioned to the Nashville Sounds. He was designated for assignment on June 17, after making two appearances with Milwaukee.[8]

New York Mets

On September 1, 2011, Herrera was named as one of the players to be named later that completed the July 12, 2011 trade for Francisco Rodríguez.[9] On January 9, 2012, the Mets placed Herrera on waivers.[10] On April 3, 2012 he was optioned to the Buffalo Bisons.[11]

The Mets released Herrera in March 2013.[12]

Camden Riversharks

Herrera signed with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for the 2014 season.

He became a free agent after the 2015 season.

Pitching style

Herrera threw six pitches. He had three fastballs — a four-seamer (83–86 mph, topped out at 88), a two-seamer (82–85), and a cutter (81–84) — as well as a curveball (75–78), a changeup (75–77), and a screwball (67–70). Herrera threw all of his pitches to hitters from both sides of the plate, with the exception of the changeup (which was only used against right-handed hitters). The screwball was his most common pitch in 2-strike counts, especially to righties. His most common pitch against left-handers as a whole was his curveball.[13]

References
  1. "Kurkjian: 'Shorty' Herrera making it big". ESPN.com. 13 June 2009.
  2. "Danny Herrera Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. "The Herrera Screwball". FOX Sports. August 20, 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  4. "Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score, June 3, 2008 - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. "Rain doesn't bother Nix in victory". Cincinnati Reds.
  6. "Boxscore: Atlanta vs. Cincinnati - June 16, 2009". Major League Baseball.
  7. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/fanblogs/122459003.html Brewers Reportedly Claim LHP Daniel Ray Herrera, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 23, 2011.
  8. Axisa, Mike. "Brewers Designate Danny Ray Herrera For Assignment". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  9. "Mets Select LHP Daniel Herrera And RHP Adrian Rosario From Brewers To Complete Francisco Rodriguez Trade". Amazin Avenue. September 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  10. DiComo, Anthony. "Mets place Martinez, Herrera on waivers". newyork.mets.mlb.com. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  11. "Permian graduate Daniel Herrera optioned to Triple-A Buffalo". OdessaAmerican Online. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  12. "Minor Moves: Paulino, Mets, Jeroloman". MLB Trade Rumors.
  13. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Danny Herrera". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
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