{"id":680019,"date":"2026-04-20T22:22:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T22:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/680019\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T22:22:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T22:22:50","slug":"heres-how-these-former-usf-players-are-faring-in-the-mlb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/680019\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s how these former USF players are faring in the MLB"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>Shane McClanahan is one of many former USF players in the MLB. USF ATHLETICS PHOTO<\/p>\n

The MLB season started on March 25, and for Bulls fans, some familiar faces will be seen throughout the league.<\/p>\n

Since the USF baseball program was founded in 1966, the school has produced 28 MLB players.<\/p>\n

And only four South Florida alumni are actively on a team\u2019s Major League roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here are a few former Bulls that dawned the green and gold\u2019s insignia.<\/p>\n

Related: USF NIL collective closes as revenue-sharing reshapes college sports<\/a><\/p>\n

Shane McClanahan, Pitcher \u2014 Tampa Bay Rays<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> pitcher Shane McClanahan<\/a> has made four starts this season, having a 1-2 record with a 5.00 ERA.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Throughout his professional career, McClanahan has recorded a 34-17 record with a 3.05 ERA.<\/p>\n

He took the mound for the Bulls from 2016 to 2018. In his collegiate career, he went 9-8 while striking out 224 batters on his way to becoming an All-American his senior year in 2018.<\/p>\n

That led the Rays to take him with the 31st overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, making him the third-highest-drafted USF player ever.<\/p>\n

In his first season with Tampa Bay in 2021, he finished seventh in American League Rookie of the Year voting, and in the next two seasons, he became an All-Star in both years.<\/p>\n

He even started the American League All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in 2022.<\/p>\n

However, McClanahan missed the last two seasons due to several arm injuries that kept him out of action.<\/p>\n

He underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his left elbow, forcing him to miss the 2024 season. He later dealt with a nerve injury in his left tricep, which made him miss the 2025 season as well.<\/p>\n

His second start of the season was on April 6, at the Rays\u2019 first home game since Tropicana Field reopened<\/a> after Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof of the stadium.<\/p>\n

The Rays played at Steinbrenner Field in 2025, home to the Tampa Tarpons, the New York Yankees\u2019 Single-A affiliate.<\/p>\n

Related: USF baseball\u2019s Michael Senay making noise as a freshman: \u2018Playing catch\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Orion Kerkering, Pitcher \u2013 Philadelphia Phillies<\/p>\n

Orion Kerkering<\/a> is a pitcher that the Phillies<\/a> have used in a middle-relief role over the last four years.<\/p>\n

Kerkering pitched for the Bulls from 2020 to 2022. His time included a 67.2-inning campaign in 2022, during which he posted a 5-7 record and three saves.<\/p>\n

He was selected in the fifth round of that summer\u2019s draft by Philadelphia and made his big-league debut the following year at 22 years old.<\/p>\n

Since then, Kerkering has pitched 132.1 innings coming out of the bullpen with a 2.86 ERA and four career saves.<\/p>\n

This season, he will look to recover from a throwing error<\/a> to home plate in game four of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Oct. 9 \u2014 which resulted in Philadelphia being eliminated from the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Herget, Pitcher \u2013 Colorado Rockies<\/p>\n

Jimmy Herget<\/a> was one of the highlights of the team with the fewest wins in 2025, the Colorado Rockies.<\/a><\/p>\n

Herget has gained online traction since his time with the Angels in 2023, thanks to his unique sidearm motion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Bull from 2013 to 2015, Herget posted a 1.96 ERA at USF before he was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 draft by the Cincinnati Reds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Since he made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2019, Herget has pitched for five organizations in his career.<\/p>\n

With the Rockies last season, he posted a 2.48 ERA over 83.1 innings, and so far has a 1.64 ERA in 10 games this season.<\/p>\n

Brad Lord, Pitcher \u2014 Washington Nationals<\/p>\n

Washington Nationals<\/a> pitcher Brad Lord<\/a> turned a junior college start into a big league opportunity, making his debut for the ballclub in March 2025.<\/p>\n

Lord began his career with two seasons at Santa Fe College in Gainesville before transferring to USF in 2021, where he quickly made an impact.<\/p>\n

He was an All-Conference starting pitcher in his first season with the Bulls, striking out 123 batters across 124 innings \u2014 production that led to the Nationals making him an 18th-round pick in 2022.<\/p>\n

So far in his career in the nation\u2019s capital, he has made 55 appearances over the last two seasons with a 4.37 ERA.<\/p>\n

The Nationals have used Lord as both a starting pitcher and a reliever.<\/p>\n

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