The Cincinnati Reds have recalled right-handed pitcher Jimmy Herget today. The 25-year-old had been in Triple-A, but their season ended six days ago. He last pitched on September 1st.
This will be the second call up for Jimmy Herget this season for the Reds. He was called up the week before the All-Star break and remained with the team for about two weeks before heading back to Louisville where he stayed the rest of the season.
The Major League debut for Jimmy Herget didn’t go well as he allowed two home runs, five hits, and three earned runs in just 0.2 innings. But he would rebound well in his next two outings, giving up just one hit in 3.0 shutout innings. His first three outings back in Louisville saw him allow a run in each of them. But from July 31st through the end of the season he gave up just one earned run over 16.1 innings with 21 strikeouts. Opposing hitters had a .130/.277/.204 line against him with just seven hits in that span. He did walk 11 hitters, more than you want to see, but he worked around them quite well.
It’s interesting that he didn’t get the call immediately when the Louisville season ended. Perhaps it’s due to how much time is remaining in the season, how long he was up before, and some service time. That’s unlikely as teams don’t tend to try to manipulate that with relievers like they do with position players or some starting pitchers. The timing does still seem strange, though.
Overall in Triple-A this season Jimmy Herget posted a 2.91 ERA in 58.2 innings with 36 walks and 68 strikeouts. It was easily his highest walk rate he’s ever posted. But he countered that some with a high strikeout rate. With that said, he probably shouldn’t face many lefties. While they only hit .220 against him this season, they posted a .363 on-base percentage because he walked 19 of them in 102 plate appearances. That’s a prime-Joey Votto walk rate. Right-handed hitters had a .199/.295/.342 line against him on the year with 18 walks and 43 strikeouts in 166 trips to the plate.
Could it have anything to do with them having just lost a reliever in Peraza?
I still don’t get why Powers has not been called up. DFA Jackson Stephens and add Powers to the 40 man.
I mean, I guess that it could have to do with them losing Peralta…. but how many relievers do you actually need? They weren’t going to run out or be left with too few options even with Peralta being gone. But maybe I’m just overthinking it.
With Powers, I’ve got nothing. If you are ever going to look at a guy who has absolutely dominated, now’s the time.
By my count, after Peralta was waived , there are 39 players on the 40 man, so there is a spot for Powers to be added. Looking at his service time I believe that he is a free agent at the end of the year. What better way to let him know that he is wanted than to give him a MLB call up. Herget is on the 40 man – no good reason for waiting a week to bring him up.
There appears to be an open (40th) spot. Powers has pitched 6 years in MiLB now (missed 2015 altogether) so September 2019 would be a good time for a cup of coffee in MLB for him.