Derek Holland

For other people named Derek Holland, see Derek Holland (disambiguation).
Derek Holland

Holland with the Texas Rangers
Free Agent – No. 45
Starting pitcher
Born: (1986-10-09) October 9, 1986
Newark, Ohio
Bats: Switch Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 25, 2009, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Win–loss record 62–50
Earned run average 4.35
Strikeouts 790
WHIP 1.33
Teams

Derek Lane Holland (born October 9, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He worked with the Texas Rangers organization of Major League Baseball (MLB) for the first ten years of his career. He was the no. 2 rated prospect in the organization according to Baseball America, behind Neftalí Feliz, for 2009.[1] He is nicknamed the Dutch Oven.[2]

Professional career

Pitching style

Holland has the ability to throw a variety of pitches to right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters at different speeds. His primary pitch is a four-seam fastball averaging 94-95 mph. To lefties, he throws the four-seamer, a two-seamer, and a slider (82-85). To righties, he throws a balance of the aforementioned pitches as well as a changeup in the mid 80s and a curveball in the mid-high 70s. Holland relies heavily on his slider with two strikes to both right-handed and left-handed hitters.[3]

Texas Rangers (2009–2016)

2009

Holland was drafted in the 25th round in 2006 out of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.[4]

On April 22, 2009, Holland made his major league debut; pitching 2⅓ innings, allowing 3 hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out 2. On August 9, he pitched his first complete game, a 7–0 shutout against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Anaheim. For the 2009 season, Holland finished the season 8-13 with a 6.12 ERA in 33 games (21 starts).

2010

Holland spent the majority of 2010 in Triple-A Oklahoma City, and was called up only due to injuries to other starters. After winning his first two decisions, he lost his next three. He ended the regular season with a 3–4 record, and 4.08 ERA.

Holland allowed 3 runs in 4.2 innings in the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched 5.2 innings in the ALCS with no earned runs, and was crucial in Game 4, earning the victory against the defending champion New York Yankees. He came in in the fourth inning with one out and the bases loaded, and got his team out of a serious jam while also eating away innings to protect his bullpen.

Holland did not have the same success in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants. In game 2, Holland entered with one on and one out in the bottom of the 8th inning, with the Rangers trailing 2-0. Holland walked all three batters he faced without recording an out, and he forced in the runner he inherited via his final walk. Holland's wildness opened the door for what turned into a huge inning for the eventual champion Giants, as all three of the batters he walked came around to score. The Rangers lost the game 9-0. Holland pitched a scoreless relief inning in a game four 4-0 loss, but he and the Rangers lost the series 4-1.

2011

Holland started the 2011 season as a starter for the Rangers, and despite a 4.96 ERA, won four of his five starts in April and May.[5] He lowered his ERA to 4.14 in June, mainly by virtue of his first shutout of the season.[6] He started off July with inconsistency, failing to make it out of the first inning against the Marlins. Over the next five starts, he responded by throwing three more shutouts.[7]

In 2011, he was 16–5 with a 3.95 ERA.[8] He led the AL in shutouts (4; tied for fifth-most in Rangers history), was 3rd in win-loss percentage (.762; the fifth-best in Rangers history), and was 4th in wins.[8][9]

On October 23, Holland was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, giving up no runs on two hits, two walks and striking out seven. He was pulled from the game after pitching  8 1⁄3 innings. The Rangers lost the World Series after 7 games.

2012

Holland in 2014

He signed a contract extension on March 20, 2012 that is worth $28.5 million over five years with a two-year club option with Texas Rangers.[10] Holland finished the regular season with a win-loss record of 12-7 with an ERA of 4.67 as he gave up 32 home runs, fifth highest in Major League Baseball.

2013

In 2013, Holland went 10-9 with a 3.42 ERA in 33 starts.

2014

On January 7, 2014, Holland suffered a knee injury after a fall while playing with his dog at home.[11][12] MRI testing revealed torn cartilage in his left knee. Holland underwent arthroscopic microfracture surgery to repair the cartilage damage on January 10, 2014. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list and sidelined until the All-Star break.[13]

2015

Holland strained his subscapularis muscle during the Rangers' first home game of the 2015 season, and was placed on the 60-day disabled list on April 10. Holland returned on August 19, 2015 to start against the Seattle Mariners. He went 6.1 innings pitched with 6 strikeouts and 2 earned runs as he earned his first win of the season in a 7-2 Rangers' win.[14]

2016

On November 8, 2016, the Texas Rangers announced they would decline a 2017 club option on Holland, making him a free agent. Holland was due to receive $11 million in pay in 2017, and received a $1.5 million buyout.[15]

60 feet 6 Foundation

In 2014, Holland launched the 60 Feet 6 Foundation to help raise awareness of and fund research for leukemia, particularly the pediatric forms. Through the charity, he raises funds to help families battling the disease.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Booher, Kary (April 2, 2009). "A New Pitch:Rangers emphasize long tossing, live BP for pitchers". Baseball America. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Derek Holland's Nickname is Dutch Oven". Larrybrownsports.com. May 13, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  3. ↑ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Derek Holland". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  4. ↑ Finn, Dewey (August 27, 2008). "Where did this guy come from? Derek Holland". Minorleagueball.com. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Derek Holland at ESPN". Espn.go.com. October 9, 1986. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians, June 4, 2011". Mlb.mlb.com. June 4, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays, July 30, 2011". Mlb.mlb.com. July 30, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Derek Holland Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Texas Rangers Top 10 Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  10. ↑ Sullivan, T. R. (March 20, 2012). "Holland, Rangers make five-year commitment". MLB.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  11. ↑ Durrett, Richard (January 13, 2014). "Derek Holland blames dog for fall". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Derek Holland has 'freak accident,' will miss start of 2014". USA Today. Associated Press. January 10, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  13. ↑ Sullivan, T. R. (January 14, 2014). "Holland undergoes microfracture surgery on left knee". MLB.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  14. ↑ Sulliivan, T. R. (April 10, 2015). "Holland out at least 2 months with shoulder strain". MLB.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  15. ↑ http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/red-fever/Rangers-Move-On-From-Derek-Holland-400323641.html
  16. ↑ Andro, Anthony (26 November 2014). "Helping others part of game for Rangers southpaw Holland". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2 Aug 2015.

External links

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