Jerry Vasto

Jerry Vasto (born February 12, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Early Career

A native of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, Vasto attended Henry Hudson Regional High School where he played baseball. After graduating, Vasto played collegiate baseball at Felician University, the only college to offer him a scholarship.^[1] He was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 24th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft,^[2] and he signed.

Minor Leagues

After signing, Vasto made his professional debut that same year with the Tri-City Dust Devils, pitching one scoreless inning and compiling one strikeout. In 2015, he made 46 relief appearances for the Asheville Tourists where he was 2-4 with a 2.93 ERA, and held opponents to a .199 average. This season also helped him earn his first Minor League All Star Appearance. In 2016, he was called up to play with the Modesto Nuts and Hartford Yard Goats. In 56 relief appearance, Jerry compiled a combined 4-4 record with 70 strikeouts and a 2.26 ERA and earned his second Minor League All Star appearance. Jerry was invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League for the 2016 season, where he struggled and had an ERA of 8.31 in 8 2/3 innings pitched. Vasto was called up and spent 2017 with the Albuquerque Isotopes, where at one point in the season he had major success and ranked #30 in the Rockies top prospects list. How ever due to injuries and major second half struggles, his stats declined and he pitched to a 3-3 record, a 6.88 ERA, and a 1.68 WHIP in 53.2 relief innings pitched.^[3] He began 2018 with the Albuquerque Isotopes, where he improved tremendously and compiled a 3.16 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 37 relief appearances.

Colorado Rockies

Vasto was called up to the majors for the first time on June 10, 2018,^[4] and he made his major league debut that same day against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Jerry recorded his first MLB strikout against the Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jon Jay, but overall struggled in his debut as he allowed 3 hits, 3 earned runs, and a walk in only 2/3 innings pitched. He was optioned back to Albuquerque on June 14. ^[5]

Kansas City Royals

On August 31, 2018, Vasto was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for catcher Drew Butera.^[6] Jerry made one appearance with the Omaha Storm Chasers before getting called up on September 4th. He made debut that same night and recorded his first Royals strikeout against Cleveland Indians outfielder Brandon Guyer. Jerry finished his 2018 Royals season with three strikeouts and a 2.45 earned run average in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Overall, Jerry finished his first MLB season with four strikeouts and a 8.31 earned run average in 4 1/3 innings pitched. On October 3rd, 2018, it was announced that Vasto would require an ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction and would miss the 2019 season.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference (Minors)