A native of Elmhurst, Illinois, Gerut attended Willowbrook High School, and later Stanford University.

On July 31, Gerut was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for fellow outfielder Matt Lawton.

On January 21, 2008, Gerut signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the San Diego Padres.

He finished the year with a line of .296 batting average, .351 OBP, and .494 slugging percentage, to go with 14 HR and 48 RBI, while playing mostly in center field.

"[8] On August 1, 2018, Gerut served as analyst for the Facebook Live broadcasting crew working the Indians-Twins game.