Cincinnati Reds Minor leagues The
Cincinnati Reds chose Ervin with the twenty-seventh pick of the
2013 Major League Baseball draft. This choice was surprising as the Reds were expected to select a pitcher. The Reds signed Ervin to a contract with a $1,812,400
signing bonus. Ervin began his professional career with the
Billings Mustangs of the
Rookie-level Pioneer League, where he batted .326 with eight home runs. He was promoted to the
Dayton Dragons of the
Single–A Midwest League on July 30. He hit .349 with a home run for Dayton. He had a combined .311
batting average, nine
home runs, 35
runs batted in, a .425
on-base percentage, and 14
stolen bases in 15 attempts. He injured his wrist during the 2013 season, and underwent surgery during the offseason to correct it. Ervin returned to Dayton in 2014, but struggled, batting .237 for the season, though he did steal 30 bases. Ervin worked with
Eric Davis on his hitting in 2015. He started the 2015 season with the
Daytona Tortugas of the
High–A Florida State League (FSL). He was promoted to the
Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the
Double–A Southern League later in the season. After the regular season, he played for the
Peoria Javelinas of the
Arizona Fall League. Ervin spent the 2016 season with Pensacola. He was named the league's player of the week for April 25 – April 30. In the league's all-star game, he hit a
grand slam and won "Top Star" honors. Though he batted .239 for the season, his 36 stolen bases were fourth-best in the league. 362
on-base percentage was seventh-best in the league, and his 13 home runs were tied for eighth-best. On November 18, 2016, the Reds added Ervin to their
40-man roster to protect him from the
Rule 5 draft.
Major leagues 2017 season He began the 2017 season with the
Louisville Bats of the
Triple–A International 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. 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. The next day, he made his first career start at
Wrigley Field, going 3-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBIs. In 28 games of his first season in the Majors, Ervin batted .259 with 3 home runs, 2 doubles, and 10 RBIs.
2018 season To begin 2018, Ervin won a roster spot as the Reds' fifth outfielder on
Opening Day. On April 26, he was optioned back to Louisville. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Seattle Mariners On September 3, 2020, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the
Seattle Mariners. In 18 games for Seattle, he batted .205/.340/.282 with no home runs and four RBI. On December 16, Ervin was designated for assignment following the signing of
Keynan Middleton.
Atlanta Braves On December 22, 2020, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the
Chicago Cubs. On February 20, 2021, Ervin was designated for assignment by the Cubs after the signing of
Jake Marisnick was made official. On February 22, 2021, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the
Atlanta Braves. On March 27, Ervin was designated for assignment for the 4th time in the past 8 months. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A
Gwinnett Stripers on April 3.
Lexington Legends On April 1, 2022, Ervin signed with the
Lexington Legends of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. 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. 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. In 102 games, he hit .271/.373/.481 with 19 home runs, 68 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. Ervin became a free agent following the season.
Pericos de Puebla On December 10, 2024, Ervin signed with the
Pericos de Puebla of the
Mexican League for the 2025 season. In 79 games, he hit .306/.421/.604 with 20 home runs, 70 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. On April 14, 2026, Ervin was released by the Pericos.
Tigres de Quintana Roo On April 26, 2026, Ervin signed with the
Tigres de Quintana Roo of the
Mexican League. ==References==