Ervin starred in baseball for Leroy High School. In college, Ervin was named a First Team All-Southern Conference in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Reds selected him with the 27th overall selection in the 2013 MLB draft.
Amateur career
Ervin attended Leroy High School in Leroy, Alabama, and played for the school's football, basketball and baseball teams. As a football player, Ervin played wide receiver alongside future NFL player Sammie Coates.[1] During his junior season of football he hauled in 41 receptions for 697 yards and 6 touchdowns.[2] In his senior football season at Leroy, Ervin tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, requiring surgery. He missed the remainder of the football season, and missed all but the final six games of the baseball season. He played in the baseball postseason. He was able to pitch, but played as a designated hitter instead of an outfield, as he did not have the mobility to play the outfield.[3]Samford University was the only National Collegiate Athletic AssociationDivision I university to offer Ervin a scholarship. Samford allowed Ervin to play as an outfielder and pitcher in college baseball for the Samford Bulldogs baseball team.[4]
In the 2013 season as a junior, Ervin lead the Bulldogs in runs scored, stolen bases and on-base percentage. He was named the preseason SoCon Player of the Year and preseason first team All-American by Baseball America.[12] Following the season, Ervin was named a Perfect Game Second Team All-American[13] and a Third Team All-American by Baseball America.
He began the 2017 season with the Louisville Bats of the Triple–AInternational League, and was promoted to the major leagues on April 21. Ervin made his major league debut on April 22 as a pinch hitter, in which he hit a tapper to pitcher Jake Arrieta who took the force out at second, allowing Ervin to reach on a fielder's choice.[31] He was optioned back to Louisville on April 26. Ervin hit .256 with 7 home runs and 40 RBIs for the Bats. On August 15, he was recalled by the Reds. On August 16, 2017, Ervin recorded his first major league hit, a solo home run off of Héctor Rondón.[32] The next day, he made his first career start at Wrigley Field, going 3-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBIs.[33] In 28 games of his first season in the Majors, Ervin batted .259 with 3 home runs, 2 doubles, and 10 RBIs.[34]
2018 season
To begin 2018, Ervin won a roster spot as the Reds' fifth outfielder on Opening Day.[35] On April 26, he was optioned back to Louisville.[36] Ervin had a brief 3 day call up with the Reds in June before returning to Louisville again on June 24. On July 20, Ervin was called up to replace an injured Scott Schebler.[37] On August 17, 2018, he recorded his first career walk off hit with a walk off home run off Ray Black of the San Francisco Giants.[38] Ervin finished the regular season with a .252 average, 7 home runs, and 31 RBIs
2019 season
Unlike 2018, Ervin did not make the club's Opening Day roster. He got his first of many call-ups of the year on April 23, 2019, to replace Matt Kemp who recently hit the DL.[39] Despite not receiving much regular playing time with the big league club, Ervin enjoyed a career best year. He slashed career bests .271/.331/.466 and set career highs in GP (94), XBH (25), and R (30). On July 13, 2019, Ervin went a perfect 6-for-6 with three RBI to become the first Reds player since Walker Cooper in 1949 to have six hits in a game.
2020 season
In his first 42 plate appearances of 2020, Ervin hit .086/.238/.086 with no home runs, which led to him being designated for assignment on August 28, 2020.[40]
Seattle Mariners
On September 3, 2020, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.[41] On December 16, 2020, Ervin was designated for assignment following the signing of Keynan Middleton.[42]
Chicago Cubs
On December 22, 2020, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.[43] On February 20, 2021, Ervin was designated for assignment by the Cubs after the signing of Jake Marisnick was made official.[44]
Atlanta Braves
On February 22, 2021, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.[45] On March 27, 2021, Ervin was designated for assignment for the 4th time in the past 8 months.[46] On April 3, Ervin was outrighted to the alternate training site.[47]
Lexington Legends
On April 1, 2022, Ervin signed with the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[48] Ervin played in 109 games for Lexington, hitting .275/.397/.467 with 18 home runs, 59 RBI, and 33 stolen bases. He became a free agent following the season.
New Jersey Jackals
On April 13, 2023, Ervin signed with the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League.[49] In 46 games for the Jackals, Ervin hit .318/.438/.517 with 8 home runs, 38 RBI, and 14 stolen bases.
Charleston Dirty Birds
On March 9, 2024, Ervin, Keon Barnum, and James Nelson were traded to the Charleston Dirty Birds in exchange for players to be named later.[50] In 102 games he hit .271/.373/.481 with 19 home runs, 68 RBIs and 27 stolen bases.
References
^Andrew Bone (August 28, 2007). "HS PREVIEW: Leroy Bears". www.247sports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 3, 2019.