Derek Holland Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Derek Lane Holland
Born 10/09/1986 in Newark, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 223 / Bats: S / Throws: L
School Wallace State CC
Debut 04/22/2009
Drafted in the 25th round (748th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2006 (signed for $200,000).

Top Rankings

Texas took a flier on Holland in the 2006 draft at the recommendation of former area scout Rick Schroeder, who spotted him at the Junior College World Series. Signed for $200,000 as a draft-and-follow, he took off in his first full season, earning Rangers minor league pitcher of the year honors. Holland started the year with an 89-93 mph fastball in Clinton, but his velocity spiked at midseason and he was sitting at 94-95 and touching 97-98 in the Texas League playoffs. His slightly across-the-body delivery and excellent extension give his fastball deception and life, making it a plus-plus offering. He can blow it by hitters up in the zone or command it down. Holland's second pitch is a slightly above-average 81-83 changeup with good arm speed and fade. He's confident enough to use it in any count. Holland occasionally flashes an average 78-81 mph slider, but it needs to become more consistent and he must learn how and when to use it. It should become a solid third pitch because he shows the ability to throw it for strikes. He's still not overly physical and must prove he can maintain his exceptional fastball over a full season. Holland has a chance to be a frontline starter along the lines of Scott Kazmir. He figures to start 2009 back in Double-A but could reach Texas by season's end.

A 25th-rounder signed as a draft-and-follow in May 2007, Holland made one of the biggest breakthroughs in the minors this year. He didn't arrive in Clinton with the notoriety of Feliz or first-round pick Blake Beavan, but he had a better mix of pitches than either. Holland's 7-0, 2.40 performance with the LumberKings was impressive enough, but he really opened eyes when he was worked at 94-98 mph deep into games in Double-A. In the MWL, Holland's fastball typically ranged from 91-94 mph. Though his arm action and delivery aren't the smoothest, he achieved nice sink on his heater and commanded it to both sides of the plate. He also showed a slightly above-average changeup and a sweeping 78-80 mph slider.