{{short description|American baseball player (born 1994)}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Ray Kerr |image = Peninsula Oilers Pitcher, Ray Kerr, during a Military Appreciation baseball game in 2017 (cropped).jpg |caption = Kerr with the [[Peninsula Oilers]] in 2017 |team = Atlanta Braves |number = |position = [[Pitcher]] |bats = Left |throws = Left |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|9|10}} |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 (pitching)|Win–loss record]] |stat1value = 2–3 |stat2label = [[Earned run average]] |stat2value = 5.30 |stat3label = [[Strikeout]]s |stat3value = 65 |teams = * [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}}) * [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|2024}}) }} '''Raymond Alexander Kerr''' (born September 10, 1994) is an American professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] in the [[Atlanta Braves]] organization. He has previously played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[San Diego Padres]].
==Amateur career== Kerr graduated from [[Hug High School]] in [[Reno, Nevada]], in 2013.<ref name=rgj/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Chris |date=2022-05-03 |title=The Ray Kerr story: From cleaning up popcorn to pitching in big leagues |url=https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/reporters/the-ray-kerr-story-from-cleaning-up-movie-theater-popcorn-to-pitching-in-the-big-leagues |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Nevada Sports Net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.willitsnews.com/2017/02/23/eagles-catch-a-break-in-the-weather/ |title=Eagles catch a break in the weather – The Willits News |publisher=Willitsnews.com |date= February 23, 2017|access-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118185721/https://www.willitsnews.com/2017/02/23/eagles-catch-a-break-in-the-weather/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He played [[collegiate summer baseball]] for the [[Peninsula Oilers]] in the [[Alaska Baseball League]] in 2017, where he reached {{convert|93|mph}} with his [[fastball]].<ref name=rgj>{{cite web |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/09/23/hug-grad-kerr-moving-up-baseball-world/697054001/ |title=Now fully committed, Ray Kerr is back in baseball, in the minor leagues for the Seattle Mariners |publisher=Rgj.com |date=September 23, 2017 |access-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Seattle Mariners=== Kerr signed with the [[Seattle Mariners]] of [[Major League Baseball]] as an [[draft (sports)|undrafted]] [[free agent]] on August 24, 2017.<ref name=rgj/> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Season Canceled|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/2020-minor-league-season-will-be-canceled.html|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |author=Steve Adams |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/mariners-julio-rodriguez-top-prospect-40-man-roster.html |title=Mariners Select Julio Rodriguez, Two Others |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date= |access-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118184110/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/mariners-julio-rodriguez-top-prospect-40-man-roster.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===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]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mariners deal for '21 All-Star Frazier|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-trade-for-adam-frazier|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=MLB.com|language=en|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127185141/https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-trade-for-adam-frazier|url-status=live}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Padres To Place Pierce Johnson On Injured List|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/04/padres-to-place-pierce-johnson-on-injured-list.html|access-date=April 23, 2022|date=April 22, 2022|last=McDonald|first=Darragh|website=MLBTradeRumors.com}}</ref> He made his major league debut on April 24.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2022/04/27/hug-grad-ray-kerr-made-mlb-debut-san-diego-padres/7441736001/ | title='I just couldn't believe it': Hug alum Ray Kerr makes MLB debut with San Diego }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Padres’ Ray Kerr: Optioned to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-ray-kerr-optioned-to-triple-a-863138/amp/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Atlanta Braves=== On December 15, 2023, the Padres traded Kerr, [[Matt Carpenter (baseball)|Matt Carpenter]], and cash considerations to the [[Atlanta Braves]] in exchange for Drew Campbell.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acee |first1=Kevin |last2=Sanders |first2=Jeff |title=Padres get ‘dollar flexibility’ by trading Matt Carpenter, Ray Kerr to Braves for minor leaguer |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/story/2023-12-15/padres-trade-matt-carpenter-ray-kerr-to-braves-for-minor-leaguer |access-date=December 16, 2023 |work=San Diego Union Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cassavell |first1=AJ |title=Padres send Carpenter, Kerr to Braves |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-carpenter-ray-kerr-traded-by-padres-to-braves |access-date=December 16, 2023 |publisher=MLB.com |date=December 15, 2023}}</ref> He was optioned to the Triple–A [[Gwinnett Stripers]] to begin the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Braves' Ray Kerr: Sent to minor-league camp|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-ray-kerr-sent-to-minor-league-camp/amp/|access-date=March 10, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> On May 7, 2024, Kerr was selected to the active roster following an injury to [[Tyler Matzek]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Braves' Ray Kerr: Recalled from Triple-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-ray-kerr-recalled-from-triple-a/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> On May 24, Kerr made his first career start against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Braves' Ray Kerr: Promoted, starting Friday |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-ray-kerr-promoted-starting-friday/ |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> In 10 games, he recorded a 5.64 ERA with 27 strikeouts across {{fraction|22|1|3}} innings pitched. On June 24, it was announced that Kerr would require [[Tommy John surgery]], ending his season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Toscano |first=Justin |title=Braves lefthander Ray Kerr will undergo Tommy John surgery |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-left-hander-ray-kerr-will-undergo-tommy-john-surgery/YLECCPBRHJDKRPEQT6VIIEIIXU/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Joe |title=Lefty Kerr expected to need Tommy John surgery |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/ray-kerr-expected-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery |access-date=June 25, 2024 |publisher=MLB.com |date=June 24, 2024}}</ref> On November 22, the Braves non–tendered Kerr, making him a free agent.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Laureano, Canning among 5 let go at non-tender deadline|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ramon-laureano-griffin-canning-among-5-braves-let-go-at-non-tender-deadline|access-date=November 23, 2024| website=mlb.com|language=en}}</ref>
On November 26, 2024, Kerr re–signed with the Braves on a minor league contract.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ray Kerr and Royber Salinas return to the Braves on minor league deals | website=Battery Power | date=2024-11-27 |publisher=SB Nation| url=https://www.batterypower.com/2024/11/27/24307695/ray-kerr-and-royber-salinas-return-to-braves-on-minor-league-deals | access-date=2025-11-16}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Ray Kerr}} {{baseballstats|mlb=678061|espn=40426/|br=k/kerrra01|fangraphs=23809|brm=kerr--000ray|retro=K/Pkerrr001}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kerr, Ray}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1994 births]] [[Category:African-American baseball players]] [[Category:Arizona League Mariners players]] [[Category:Arkansas Travelers players]] [[Category:Atlanta Braves players]] [[Category:Baseball players from Sacramento, California]] [[Category:Clinton LumberKings players]] [[Category:El Paso Chihuahuas players]] [[Category:Gwinnett Stripers players]] [[Category:Lassen Community College Cougars baseball players]] [[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]] [[Category:Mendocino Eagles baseball players]] [[Category:Modesto Nuts players]] [[Category:Peninsula Oilers players]] [[Category:Peoria Javelinas players]] [[Category:San Diego Padres players]] [[Category:Tacoma Rainiers players]]