Ray Kerr Explained

Ray Kerr
Team:Atlanta Braves
Number:58
Position:Pitcher
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Birth Date:10 September 1994
Birth Place:Sacramento, California, U.S.
Debutleague:MLB
Debutteam:San Diego Padres
Debutyear:2022
Debutdate:April 24
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:2024 season
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:2–3
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.30
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:65
Teams:

Raymond Alexander Kerr (born September 10, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres.

Amateur career

Kerr graduated from Hug High School in Reno, Nevada, in 2013. He played college baseball for Mendocino College for two years and then quit baseball, returning home to work at a movie theater and a 7-Eleven. The new college baseball coach at Lassen College convinced him to join his team.[1] [2] He played collegiate summer baseball for the Peninsula Oilers in the Alaska Baseball League in 2017, where he reached with his fastball.[3]

Career

Seattle Mariners

Kerr signed with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball as an undrafted free agent on August 24, 2017.[3] He made his professional debut with the Single-A Clinton LumberKings in 2018, logging a 5–11 record and 4.28 ERA with 101 strikeouts across 25 starts. In 2019, Kerr split the season between the High-A Modesto Nuts and the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, posting a 4–7 record and 3.82 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 92.0 innings of work across 36 total appearances. Kerr did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] He split the 2021 campaign between the Double-A Arkansas Travelers and Tacoma, pitching to a 3.18 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 36 appearances. The Mariners added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft following the season on November 19, 2021.[5]

San Diego Padres

On November 27, 2021, the Mariners traded Kerr and outfielder Corey Rosier to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Adam Frazier.[6] He was assigned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas to begin the 2022 season.

On April 22, 2022, Kerr was promoted to major leagues for the first time to replace the injured Pierce Johnson.[7] He made his major league debut on April 24.[8] He appeared in seven games for San Diego in his rookie campaign, pitching to a 9.00 ERA with three strikeouts in five innings pitched.

Kerr was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2023 season.[9]

Atlanta Braves

On December 15, 2023, the Padres traded Kerr, Matt Carpenter, and cash considerations to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Drew Campbell.[10] [11] He was optioned to the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers to begin the 2024 season.[12] On May 7, 2024, Kerr was selected to the active roster following an injury to Tyler Matzek.[13] On May 24, Kerr made his first career start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[14] In 10 games, he recorded a 5.64 ERA with 27 strikeouts across innings pitched. On June 24, it was announced that Kerr would require Tommy John surgery, ending his season.[15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Murray . Chris . 2022-05-03 . The Ray Kerr story: From cleaning up popcorn to pitching in big leagues . 2024-06-21 . Nevada Sports Net . en.
  2. Web site: Eagles catch a break in the weather – The Willits News . Willitsnews.com . February 23, 2017. November 18, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118185721/https://www.willitsnews.com/2017/02/23/eagles-catch-a-break-in-the-weather/ . live .
  3. Web site: Now fully committed, Ray Kerr is back in baseball, in the minor leagues for the Seattle Mariners . Rgj.com . September 23, 2017 . November 18, 2021 . December 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211218083000/https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/09/23/hug-grad-kerr-moving-up-baseball-world/697054001/ . live .
  4. Web site: 2020 Minor League Season Canceled. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  5. Web site: Steve Adams . Mariners Select Julio Rodriguez, Two Others . MLB Trade Rumors . November 18, 2021 . November 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118184110/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/mariners-julio-rodriguez-top-prospect-40-man-roster.html . live .
  6. Web site: Mariners deal for '21 All-Star Frazier. November 27, 2021. MLB.com. en. November 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127185141/https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-trade-for-adam-frazier. live.
  7. Web site: Padres To Place Pierce Johnson On Injured List. April 23, 2022. April 22, 2022. McDonald. Darragh. MLBTradeRumors.com.
  8. Web site: 'I just couldn't believe it': Hug alum Ray Kerr makes MLB debut with San Diego .
  9. Web site: Padres’ Ray Kerr: Optioned to Triple-A. March 25, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  10. News: Acee . Kevin . Sanders . Jeff . Padres get ‘dollar flexibility’ by trading Matt Carpenter, Ray Kerr to Braves for minor leaguer . December 16, 2023 . San Diego Union Tribune.
  11. News: Cassavell . AJ . Padres send Carpenter, Kerr to Braves . December 16, 2023 . MLB.com . December 15, 2023.
  12. Web site: Braves' Ray Kerr: Sent to minor-league camp. March 10, 2024. cbssports.com. en.
  13. Web site: May 7, 2024 . Braves' Ray Kerr: Recalled from Triple-A . May 7, 2024 . CBSSports.com . en.
  14. Web site: May 24, 2024 . Braves' Ray Kerr: Promoted, starting Friday . May 24, 2024 . CBSSports.com . en.
  15. News: Toscano . Justin . Braves lefthander Ray Kerr will undergo Tommy John surgery . 2024-06-25 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . English . 1539-7459.
  16. News: Harris . Joe . Lefty Kerr expected to need Tommy John surgery . June 25, 2024 . MLB.com . June 24, 2024.