David Herndon
Kenneth David Herndon is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Career
Minor leagues
The 6'5", 230 pound Herndon was originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 38th round of the 2004 amateur draft out of Mosley High School in Panama City, but did not sign. The following year, the Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 23rd round out of Gulf Coast Community College, but he again opted against signing. He ultimately signed with the Anaheim Angels after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 amateur draft.Herndon began his professional career in 2006, going 5-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 14 starts for the Orem Owlz. In 2007, he went 13-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 25 games for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. He became a closer partway through the 2008 season, during which he went 3-7 with a 5.01 ERA in 43 games for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and in 2009 he went 5-6 with a 3.03 ERA in 50 relief appearances for the Arkansas Travelers.
Herndon was selected by the Phillies in the 2009 Rule 5 Draft.
Philadelphia Phillies (2010–2012)
After the 2010 spring training, Herndon was selected for the Phillies' Opening Day roster. On April 5, he made his major league debut against the Washington Nationals. Through his first four outings he had not given up a run, but on April 16, he allowed four runs in inning against the Florida Marlins. On July 27, Herndon picked up his first major league win versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. He ultimately earned a 1-3 record with a 4.30 ERA in 47 games; since he remained on the club's roster for the entire season, he continued in the Phillies' organization thereafter per Rule 5 regulations.Herndon spent the majority of the 2011 season with Phillies, aside from a brief stint with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in which he went 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 1 save in 8 games. With the Phillies, Herndon went 1-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 45 games, recording his first Major League save after the 13th inning of the final game of the regular season. On June 19, 2012, Herndon underwent Tommy John surgery which ended his 2012 season.