Derek West
Houston Astros
Pitcher
Born: (1996-12-02) December 2, 1996
Orange City, Florida
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Derek John West (born December 2, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros organization.

Career

West attended University High School in Orange City, Florida. As a junior, he tore his hamstring playing for the school's basketball team, and was told that he would not play baseball again; the pain went away after eight weeks and he was able to continue playing.[1] He transferred to Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona, Florida, in 2014. His fastball reached 94 miles per hour (151 km/h) as a senior. He committed to attend the University of Pittsburgh to play college baseball for the Pittsburgh Panthers.[2]

West missed his freshman year due to recovery from Tommy John surgery and his sophomore year due to surgery to repair his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee. In 2018, he had a 3.24 earned run average (ERA) and 47 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched. The Atlanta Braves selected West in the 28th round of the 2018 MLB draft. He opted not to sign so that he could return to Pittsburgh for his senior year.[3][4] In 2019, he had a 3.82 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 68+1⁄3 innings.[5]

The Houston Astros selected West in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB draft, and he signed. While he played for the Asheville Tourists in 2022, West could pitch at 98 miles per hour (158 km/h).[6]

International career

West is of Dutch descent through his maternal grandparents.[7] He was named to the Netherlands national baseball team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "West shines in return to Titans baseball following torn hamstring". News-journalonline.com. April 6, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Recruiting Trail: Pitcher Derek West transfers to Trinity, commits to Pitt". News-journalonline.com. September 9, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Trinity grad, Braves draft pick Derek West returning to Pitt". News-journalonline.com. June 11, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ Saunders, Alan (June 11, 2018). "Drafted RHP Derek West to Return to Pitt". Pittsburgh Sports Now.
  5. ↑ "Pitcher Derek West Inks Deal with Houston". thesportsledger.com.
  6. ↑ "Answer Man: Do Tourists' pitchers hit 100mph? Strikeouts per game?". Citizen-times.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Orange City native Derek West will represent the Netherlands at World Baseball Classic". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  8. ↑ "Bogaerts leads impressive Netherlands infield group". MLB.com.
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