May 25, 2007

CONTACT: Luke Brymer, Sports Information Assistant, Wallace State
Community College, luke.brymer@wallacestate.edu, 256/352-8231



Former Lions' Baseball Player Signs with Texas Rangers



HANCEVILLE, Ala.- Wallace State-Hanceville baseball player Derek Holland
did something this week that he has been dreaming about since he began
playing baseball at seven years old. Holland, now 20, signed as a
pitcher for Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers.

"It is truly a dream come true," Holland said. "I have always dreamed of
playing professional baseball and it's hard to believe that I actually
will. It still hasn't sunk in that I've signed with a professional
team."



Holland, a Newark, Ohio native, began playing baseball in center field
at seven years old. His career continued throughout school and propelled
him to play on scholarship for Wallace State. At the end of his first
year at Wallace, the Rangers drafted him. Though Holland decided to come
back for his second year at Wallace, the Rangers owned his rights and
kept in contact with him throughout the year.



As his second season at Wallace ended at the state tournament, the
Rangers continued to stay in touch. "They had ownership of my rights
until May 31. If they didn't offer me a contract by then, I was free to
talk to other teams and be in the draft," Holland said. Fortunately, he
did not have to worry about talking to other teams, because the Rangers
offered him a contract on Sunday.



Holland said, "I couldn't believe that I was actually signing the
contract. It's been an incredible week."



He will begin his professional career when he reports to rookie camp in
Washington this Friday (today). He will then play for the Rangers'
Single A team, the Spokane Indians. Eventually, he hopes to advance
through the Single, Double and Triple A teams until he pitches for the
Rangers.



By signing a professional contract, Holland forfeits his remaining
college eligibility. However, the Rangers have promised in his contract
to pay for his education in the future if his career is ended by an
injury.



"The fact that they will pay for my education is huge. I had to take the
opportunity presented to me, but it's great to know that I will still be
able to go to school if something happens," Holland said.



Holland will continue to be a starting pitcher and throws consistently
at 90-92 miles per hour. He said some of the reasons the Rangers were
interested in him were because he is left handed and his pitching style.
"They never told me exactly why they wanted me, but they said they liked
the fact that I'm left handed and the way I pitch."



Outstanding accomplishments at Wallace State included two starts in four
JUCO World Series games in 2006, and a 10-inning no run game at this
year's state tournament.



His parents have had some trouble sleeping since Sunday night because of
their excitement. "They have been overwhelmed by the whole deal and told
me they can't sleep because they're so excited for me. It really hasn't
hit them yet either that I just signed a professional contract," Holland
said. "They told me to capture the moment, not just because it's a lot
of money, but because it's an incredible opportunity."



Holland finished his second year with nine division rankings including a
No. 2 ranking in earned run average (1.820), No. 3 in batters struck out
per nine innings (10.17) and No. 4 in wins (9).



For more information about Wallace State baseball, visit
www.wallacestate.edu or www.acccsports.org.

 
 
   
The photos with uniforms in blue and grey are from the JUCO World Series last year, where Holland pitched
two of the Lions' four games, and earned Wallace State's first win. Wallace State placed third in the Division I
national tournament.


 
The photos in orange are from our last home series against Calhoun this year.

Derek Holland head shot

  Kristen Holmes
  Director, Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8118
  E-mail: Kristen.Holmes@WallaceState.edu