N.J. native set for MLB debut with Rays

A big day for Kevin Herget.

The 31-year-old NJ native is making his MLB debut Friday with the the Tampa Bay Rays.

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Per MLBTradeRumors:

He’s in his first season with the Rays organization after spending the vast majority of his career in the Cardinals’ farm system. While this is Herget’s fifth season with at least some time spent at the Triple-A level, he’s unquestionably had the finest results of his career in 2022, logging a 2.45 ERA with a 25.2% strikeout rate, a minuscule 3.4% walk rate and a 34.4% ground-ball rate.

Kean Athletics tweeted:

HEADED TO THE SHOW Kean Hall of Famer Kevin Herget is headed to the show after being called up to the Tampa Bay Rays Congratulations Kevin! DIII [to] MLB

A quote from Kean baseball coach Neil Ioviero, from NJ.com’s Keith Sargeant:

It’s a story of total perseverance. It’s a 10-year journey of a person who refused to quit and obviously overcame a ton of obstacles, and deserves every bit of it.”

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The right handed pitcher is from Park Ridge and attended Kean University. He was selected in the 39th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, where he stayed until he was granted free agency in 2020. The Rays signed him to a minor league contract in May. He spent 2021 with the Cleveland Guardians organization.

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.