Tyler Herron Stats & Scouting Report

IP	882
ERA	4.102
WHIP	1.363
BB/9	2.878
SO/9	7.571

Full name Tyler Daschiel Herron
Born 08/05/1986 in West Palm Beach, FL
Died 10/27/2021 in
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Wellington Christian
Drafted in the C-1 round (46th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005 (signed for $675,000).

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Herron has emerged as the second-best prep pitcher in Florida, gaining momentum after a pair of spirited duels with Chris Volstad. He's the latest pitching product out of Wellington High, which produced Pirates first-round picks in consecutive years in Bobby Bradley (1999) and Sean Burnett (2000). He was primarily a shortstop for much of his high school career, but a broken finger prompted him to log more time on the mound as a junior, and his loose arm, above-average velocity and plus-plus breaking ball have cemented his future as a pitcher. Athletic and projectable, Herron has enough stuff to go in the first two rounds of the draft. His curveball at times has earned 70 grades from scouts on the 20-80 scale. Herron draws comparisons to Mike Mussina from scouts who really like him. Less lofty comparisons are to 2004 Mets third-round pick Gaby Hernandez, also a South Florida product. Herron has touched 94 mph with his fastball and pitches comfortably at 90-91 while showing enough of a changeup to encourage scouts. He also impresses observers with his intense competitiveness and killer instinct.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Among the youngest starters moving steadily through the Cardinals system, Herron is also usually described as one of the system's most polished players. He was the 46th overall pick back in 2005, taken out of a cradle of pitching, Wellington (Fla.) High and signed for $675,000. His alma mater also spawned first-round picks Bobby Bradley, Sean Burnett and Justin Pope (a Cardinals choice after three years at Central Florida), and big leaguer Mark Brownson. Herron's stint at Palm Beach to open the 2008 season allowed him to live at home, and when he dominated in nine starts he quickly earned a promotion to Double-A. He was knocked around there, however, and returned to Palm Beach to get himself back on track in August. Herron has consistently shown effective control of three average to plus pitches. He throws a sinking fastball at 89-91 mph, and he has a trusty changeup as his second pitch. His curve is good enough to get strikeouts, though he continues to allow both his offspeed pitches stray too high in the zone. He'll need to sharpen his command to get more advanced hitters out. Herron's smooth, repeatable delivery and access to three quality pitches give the Cardinals faith that he'll be able to advance in spite of his first setback in Double-A. He went to Hawaii Winter Baseball after the season, where he shined as a reliever (0.69 ERA in 13 innings), but he's still viewed as a middle-of-the-rotation starter for now. He'll return to Springfield, where added strength and improved command will curtail the bruising he took there before.
The 46th overall pick in 2005 out of the powerhouse Wellington High program in Florida, Herron went winless in his pro debut and couldn't advance past short-season ball in his first two seasons. He hinted at a breakout by going 4-1, 2.67 in his final five starts in 2006, then delivered by emerging as the best pitching prospect on a deep low Class A Quad Cities staff. Herron has three pitches that are or should be average or better. He throws a sinking fastball in the low 90s and can spot it anywhere he wants in the strike zone. His changeup has become a reliable second pitch and his curveball has good break. He's cool and athletic on the mound and has consistently won praise for his maturity. Herron needs more consistency with his pitches. His fastball can straighten out at times, and he'll also hang his curveball. He needs to add strength to his slender frame, though he did hold up well over his first year in full-season ball. Herron will continue a slow and steady rise in the organization. He'll jump to high Class A, where he'll no longer be protected by the tandem rotation system that worked so well at Quad Cities. He has a ceiling as a No. 3 starter.
The Cardinals are taking their second stab at a pitcher from Florida's Wellington High, though when they took Justin Pope in the first round in 2001, it was after Pope had spent three seasons at Central Florida. Herron is moving slowly, as he bombed in his pro debut in the Appy League over 50 innings. His return trip began in similar fashion until he picked up his first pro win in late July, a prelude to going 4-1, 2.67 in five August starts. Better command of his low-90s sinker helped Herron get going, as he was able to locate the pitch to minimize hard contact. He also began mixing in his changeup up to 20 times a game with success. The Cardinals believe his curveball can become a plus pitch. Herron impressed Johnson City manager Dan Radison with his maturity, taking sloppy defensive play behind him in stride.
Herron comes out of one of Florida's cradles of pitching, Wellington High, which produced Pirates first-rounders Bobby Bradley (1999) and Sean Burnett (2000), as well as Justin Pope, a first-round pick of the Cardinals in 2001 after he spent three years at Central Florida. Herron grabbed attention last spring with two duels against Chris Volstad, who went 16th overall to the Marlins, and the Cardinals took him 30 picks later and signed him for $675,000. Herron shows a good feel for pitching, and the stuff and intensity to pitch at the front of a rotation. His fastball touched 94 mph during his high school season but sat more at 87-91 during his debut. He should eventually settle into the low 90s. His curveball is consistent, thought at times it rates as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He showed advanced aptitude for a changeup. As a former shortstop, he's athletic with a projectable frame. Herron needs to refine all his pitches, and especially improve his fastball command to set up his secondary pitches. He should jump to low Class A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

A supplemental first-round pick in 2005, Herron went 5-10, 4.67 and didn't advance past short-season ball in his first two years as pro. He finally made a full-season breakthrough in 2007, ranking as the best pitching prospect on a deep Quad Cities staff that also included older arms such as lefthander Brad Furnish and righties Kenny Maiques, P.J. Walters and Eddie Degerman. Herron has a loose, athletic delivery and three pitches that will be average or better. He maintained low-90s velocity on his fastball all season long and can locate it wherever he wants in the strike zone. Scouts were split on how much movement his heater had, as one liked its life and sink and another thought it was fairly straight. His changeup and curveball are effective as well, though he'll hang his curve on occasion. Herron showed a lot of poise for a pitcher who was 20 for most of the season, and he can add more strength to his frame. With runners on base, he goes to a quick slide step without compromising his stuff.
A supplemental first-round pick in 2005, Herron bombed in the Appy League that summer, going 0-3, 5.61 and surrendering 11 homers in 50 innings. His return trip began in similar fashion until he picked up his first pro win in late July, a prelude to going 4-1, 2.67 in five August starts. Better command of his low-90s sinker helped Herron get untracked this summer, as he was able to locate the pitch to minimize hard contact. He also began mixing in his changeup up to 20 times a game, and the Cardinals believe his curveball can become a plus pitch. Herron impressed Johnson City manager Dan Radison with his maturity, taking sloppy defensive play behind him in stride.
Balls fly out of Johnson City's Howard Johnson Field, which Kidwell called the Coors Field of the Appy League. Herron was bitten by the longball in his debut, as his 11 homers allowed ranked second in the league. He also struggled with his command and tired late in the summer, so his numbers weren't pretty. But his upside is undeniable. Herron has a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and already pitches at 87-91 mph with his fastball. He also shows the making of a plus curveball and has an advanced feel for his changeup.