Danny Herrera (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Daniel Ray "Danny" Herrera (born October 21, 1984 in Odessa, Texas
) is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
for the New York Mets
of Major League Baseball
.
Herrera has become well known among baseball fans both for his short stature, and for his unique pitch repertoire. Currently, Herrera is not only one of the shortest pitchers in recent history at 5' 6", but is also one of the few active pitchers in Major League Baseball to throw a true screwball
.
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.
to the Cincinnati Reds
for Josh Hamilton.
He made his Major League debut on June 3, . Entering the game with men on base and no outs, he pitched one scoreless inning. He struck out
two while giving up one walk and no hits. 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, was sent down just 4 days later when pitcher Gary Majewski
returned from the bereavement list. He made just one appearance during his second stint, pitching 2 innings while giving up three runs on four hits, striking out two.
In 2009, Herrera made the Cincinnati Reds club 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. He pitched 3 scoreless innings giving up two hits while striking out two.
and optioned to their AAA Nashville team. He was designated for assignment on June 17, after making two appearances with Milwaukee.
to complete the Francisco Rodríguez trade.
Odessa, Texas
Odessa is a city in and the county seat of Ector County, Texas, United States. It is located primarily in Ector County, although a small portion of the city extends into Midland County. Odessa's population was 99,940 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Odessa, Texas Metropolitan...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Herrera has become well known among baseball fans both for his short stature, and for his unique pitch repertoire. Currently, Herrera is not only one of the shortest pitchers in recent history at 5' 6", but is also one of the few active pitchers in Major League Baseball to throw a true screwball
Screwball
A screwball , is a baseball pitch that is thrown so as to break in the opposite direction of a slider or curveball. Depending on the pitcher's arm angle, the ball may also have a sinking action....
.
Playing career
Herrera was drafted by the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the 45th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
out of the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, where he played for the New Mexico Lobos baseball team.
Cincinnati Reds
On December 21, , Herrera was traded by the Rangers along with Edinson VolquezEdinson Volquez
Edinson Volquez [VOL-kez] , is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds. He bats and throws right-handed....
to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Josh Hamilton.
He made his Major League debut on June 3, . Entering the game with men on base and no outs, he pitched one scoreless inning. He struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
two while giving up one walk and no hits. Two days after his debut, he was optioned back to AAA Louisville
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
to make room on the roster for starting pitcher Homer Bailey
Homer Bailey
David Dewitt "Homer" Bailey, Jr. is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds....
.
He was briefly recalled again on June 10, 2008, however, was sent down just 4 days later when pitcher Gary Majewski
Gary Majewski
-Career:Majewski graduated in 1998 from St. Pius X High School in Houston, where he was unanimously selected for Houston Player of the Year for his achievement of maintaining a 1.64 ERA and a 14-3 record. With that, he led his team to the state championship in Class 5A TAPPS.In the majors, Majewski...
returned from the bereavement list. He made just one appearance during his second stint, pitching 2 innings while giving up three runs on four hits, striking out two.
In 2009, Herrera made the Cincinnati Reds club 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. He pitched 3 scoreless innings giving up two hits while striking out two.
Milwaukee Brewers
On May 23, 2011, Herrera was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and optioned to their AAA Nashville team. He was designated for assignment on June 17, after making two appearances with Milwaukee.
New York Mets
On September 1, 2011, Herrera was named along with pitcher Adrian Rosario as one of the players traded to the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
to complete the Francisco Rodríguez trade.