Derek Holland, Pitcher


Date of Birth: 10/9/1986
Birthplace: Newark, Ohio
College: Wallace State Community College
Nickname: Dutch Oven

Derek Holland, pitcher, was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2006. He pitched in the Rangers' minor league system in 2007 and 2008 before being called up to the major leagues.

Holland struggled in 2009, his first season in the major leagues. He had an 8-13 record and a 6.12 ERA in 138.1 innings in 33 games. The next season, he was back in the minors, pitching just 57.1 innings in 14 games with the Rangers.

Holland rejoined the Rangers' starting rotation in 2011 and he had a good season. In 32 games, he pitched 198.0 innings and he had a career high 16 wins (to 5 losses) and a 3.95 ERA. He signed a five-year, $28.5 million contract extension with the Rangers in March, 2012.

Holland had his best season in 2013 when he had career highs in games played (33), innings pitched (213.0), and strikeouts (189 to 64 walks). That year, he had a 10-9 record and a 3.42 ERA.

Holland had knee surgery in January, 2014. He pitched in just six games with the Rangers in 2014. He spent time on the DL again in 2015, pitching in just 10 games with the Rangers. He finished the 2015 season with a 4-3 record, 41 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 4.91 ERA in 58.2 innings. He pitched 2.0 innings in the postseason and he gave up 5 hits, including 3 home runs, and 6 runs.

In 2016, Holland had a 4.95 ERA in 20 games as a starter and 2 games in relief. He finished the season with 7 wins to 9 losses and 67 strikeouts to 35 walks in 107.1 innings.

Holland signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Chicago White Sox on December 14, 2016. He was released by the White Sox on September 5, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 7 wins and 14 losses, 104 strikeouts to 75 walks, and a 6.20 ERA in 135.0 innings in 29 games.

Holland signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on February 13, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 7 wins and 9 losses, 169 strikeouts to 64 walks, and a 3.57 ERA in 171.1 innings in 36 games.

Holland became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He re-signed with the Giants on January 14, 2019. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 26, 2019. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with a finger injury and with a wrist contusion. He finished the season with 2 wins and 5 losses, 82 strikeouts to 45 walks, and a 6.08 ERA in 84.1 innings in 31 games with the Giants and 20 games with the Cubs.

Holland became a free agent on November 2, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on January 31, 2020. He pitched in 12 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 1 win and 3 losses, 45 strikeouts to 15 walks, and a 6.86 ERA in 40.2 innings.

Holland elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on January 25, 2021. He spent part of the 2021 season on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. He finished the season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 51 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 5.07 ERA in 49.2 innings in 39 games.

Holland became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on March 18, 2022. He was released on May 1st. He then signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on May 5th. He was released by the Blue Jays on July 22nd.

Career pitching statistics for Holland through 2021 include:

  • 346 games played
  • 1,466.0 innings pitched
  • 82-83 win-loss record
  • 1,241 strikeouts to 533 walks
  • 4.62 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Derek Holland
ESPN - Derek Holland