Top 50 MiLB Prospects 2009: #45 Derek Holland

Top 50 MiLB Prospects 2009 | #45 | Derek Holland | Rangers

Position | Pitcher

Bats/Throws | Both/Left

Born | October 9, 1986 (Newark, Ohio)

School | Wallace State Community College

Height | 6'2''

Weight | 185 lbs.

2008 Ranking | Not Ranked




Breakdown
Derek Holland came out of nowhere in 2008. A 25th round draft pick back in 2006 by the Texas Rangers, Holland moved from Low-A ball to Double-A ball in one season, which for any pitcher is a pretty big move. He combined to go 13-1 with a 2.28 ERA and a 3.93 K/BB ratio in 150+ innings last season. He has a mid-90's fastball with a great change-up. He still has work to do on his slider, but it got better as the 2008 season went on. Holland is just one of the reasons why the Texas Rangers is regarded as having the best farm system in all of baseball. Holland is said to have both the best change-up and control in the Rangers' farm system. Holland could be a top 10 prospect on next year's list.

2008 Statistics

Level      W      L      ERA      IP      K      BB      WHIP     FIP

A          7      0     2.40    93.2     91      29      1.13    2.53
A+         3      1     3.19    31.0     37       5      0.81    1.81
AA         3      0     0.69    26.0     29       6      0.77    1.66

2009 Outlook
Holland only pitched in 26 innings for the Frisco RoughRiders last season, but that's not too far off of the 31 innings he threw for the Bakersfield Blaze. He will probably start the season with the RoughRiders but could very well be with the Rangers in time for September call-ups.

Pitching Repertoire

• Fastball
• Slider
• Change-up

Video


Estimated Time of Arrival
2010