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Derek Holland (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Derek Lane Holland is a Major League Baseball
left-handed
starting pitcher
for the Texas Rangers
. He is noted for his kid-like appearance.
He was the #2 rated prospect in the organization according to Baseball America
, behind Neftali Feliz, for 2009. He is nicknamed the Dutch Oven
.
in Alabama
, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association
.
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.
Unfortunately, Holland would 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. Seemingly unable to handle the pressure of pitching in the World Series for the first time, Holland walked all three batters he faced, without recording an out, and forced in the runner he inherited via his final walk. Holland's wildness would open the door for what turned into a huge inning for the eventual champion Giants, as all three of the batters he walked would come around to score. The Rangers would lose the game 9-0. Holland did pitch a scoreless relief inning in a game four 4-0 loss, but he and the Rangers would lose the series 4-1.
as a starter for the Rangers, and despite a 4.96 ERA, won four of his five starts in April and May. He lowered his ERA to 4.14 in June, mainly by virtue of his first shutout of the season. He started off July with inconsistency, failing to make it out of the first inning against the Marlins. Over the next five starts, he would respond by throwing three more shutouts.
In 2011, he was 16–5 with a 3.95 ERA. 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.
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 and 1/3 innings.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. He is noted for his kid-like appearance.
He was the #2 rated prospect in the organization according to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, behind Neftali Feliz, for 2009. He is nicknamed the Dutch Oven
Dutch oven
A Dutch oven is a thick-walled cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. Dutch ovens have been used as cooking vessels for hundreds of years....
.
2009: Major League debut
Holland was drafted in the 25th round in 2006 out of Wallace State Community CollegeWallace State Community College
Wallace State Community College is a community college located in Hanceville, Alabama. Wallace State offers a variety of associate's degrees. It is named for former Alabama governor George C. Wallace, who greatly expanded Alabama's community college system...
in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association
National Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
.
On April 22, 2009, Holland made his major league debut; pitching 2⅓ innings, allowing 3 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, no runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, no walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, and striking
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
out 2. On August 9, he pitched his first complete game, a 7–0 shutout against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in Anaheim.
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.2010 Post-season
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.Unfortunately, Holland would 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. Seemingly unable to handle the pressure of pitching in the World Series for the first time, Holland walked all three batters he faced, without recording an out, and forced in the runner he inherited via his final walk. Holland's wildness would open the door for what turned into a huge inning for the eventual champion Giants, as all three of the batters he walked would come around to score. The Rangers would lose the game 9-0. Holland did pitch a scoreless relief inning in a game four 4-0 loss, but he and the Rangers would lose the series 4-1.
2011
Derek Holland started the 2011 season2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
as a starter for the Rangers, and despite a 4.96 ERA, won four of his five starts in April and May. He lowered his ERA to 4.14 in June, mainly by virtue of his first shutout of the season. He started off July with inconsistency, failing to make it out of the first inning against the Marlins. Over the next five starts, he would respond by throwing three more shutouts.
In 2011, he was 16–5 with a 3.95 ERA. 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.
On October 23, Holland was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, giving up no runs on two hits, two walks and striking out seven. He was pulled from the game after pitching 8 and 1/3 innings.
External links
- MLB Top 50 Prospects
- Derek Holland stats at MinorLeagueBaseball.com
- Derek Holland Bio/Stats page at MLB.com