After landing with the Los Angeles Angels following seven years within the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers organizations, Jimmy Herget had his career-best success during the 2022 season.
The now-29-year-old reliever made a name for himself this past season with his unorthodox pitching style, mainly due to the unique arm slot used when delivering a pitch. Members of the Angels and pitching analysts on social media highlighted Herget and his ability to be successful through being ‘different’.
He graded out in the first percentile in extension, which is normally an area pitchers would like to avoid, but as he found a comfortable spot in the Angels bullpen, Herget excelled.
Prior to the All-Star break, Herget was mainly used in lower-leverage spots and was one of the first arms used out of the bullpen. But after general manager Perry Minasian dumped Raisel Iglesias to the Atlanta Braves for essentially a bucket of baseballs in return for salary relief, the right-hander was given a shot to work at the backend of games.
From August 2 through the end of the regular season, Herget posted a 1.10 ERA, 2.35 FIP, 0.83 WHIP and a .162 batting average allowed. Manager Phil Nevin used him in multiple spots to close out games, converting nine of 12 chances.
Jimmy Herget 2022 highlight
Two outings, in particular, were the main highlights of Herget’s season. First, on April 17, pitching against the Rangers, his former club, he tossed two shutout innings, notching five strikeouts, allowing just one hit, and earning a hold.
On Aug. 27, Herget was given the difficult task of following up Shohei Ohtani, who had just thrown seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts. Nevin called on him to close out the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning, and after he carved them in his first frame, he was given the ninth.
Herget was able to sit down Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk and Bo Bichette to earn the save and secure a 2-0 win.
2023 outlook
Heading into his age-29 season, Herget remains a pre-arbitration player, and because of his positive steps forward this past year, the Angels could lean on him going forward. However, given his different style of pitching, his fortunes could change at any moment if his mechanics don’t line up.
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