The native of New London, WI was selected in the 28th round of the 2012 draft by the L.A. Dodgers out of Northern Illinois University. He pitched and played outfield for the Huskies but was used exclusively as a pitcher for both Ogden and Great Lakes for the Dodgers organization. He had an ERA of 4.24 in Rookie ball with 37 strikeouts in 51 innings.  Hermsen pitched just 6 1/3 innings for Great Lakes last summer before a season-ending injury.