Derek Eitel

Derek Eitel
Free Agent
Pitcher
Born: (1987-11-21) November 21, 1987
Marshall, Illinois
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Derek R. Eitel (born November 21, 1987) is an American baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He was originally drafted in the 17th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[1]

Athletic career

High school and college

Eitel grew up in the Wabash Valley of Illinois and attended Marshall High School, where he was a pitcher on the school's baseball team.[2]

Eitel played both baseball and American football at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, his alma mater. He was the football team's starting quarterback. As a college pitcher, his arsenal included a sinker, a slider, a splitter, and a changeup.[3] He was the first Rose-Hulman player to be selected in the MLB draft[4] or any other professional sports draft.[2]

Professional baseball

After being drafted by Arizona, Eitel was assigned to the Missoula Osprey and worked his way through the Diamondbacks' minor league system, switching from a role as a starter to the bullpen in the 2013 season. As a relief pitcher for the Reno Aces, he was named a Class-AAA All-Star in 2014.[5]

By 2015, Eitel still had yet to debut as a major league player, and the Diamondbacks released him on June 8, 2015. He signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers later that month,[6] but his time in that organization was short-lived, as he was released again on August 2 after a brief stint with the Class-AA Biloxi Shuckers.[7]

Eitel moved to independent ball, signing a contract with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association late in the 2015 season and then playing over the winter in the Mexican Pacific League and Dominican Winter League. On December 31, 2015, his contract was purchased by the San Diego Padres.[8][9] Eitel played in the 2016 season for the Class-AAA El Paso Chihuahuas, developing his slider as his best offering.[10]

After the 2016 season, Eitel elected to become a minor league free agent.[9] He signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals that included an invitation to spring training on November 20, 2016.[11] He was released by the Nationals on July 20, 2017.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Cooney, Dave. "Diamondbacks complete 2010 draft". Tucson News Now. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Miller, Casey (November 20, 2016). "Derek Eitel signs deal with Washington Nationals". WTHITV 10. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ Callis, Jim (June 3, 2010). "State Report: Indiana". Baseball America. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Derek Eitel Becomes First Rose-Hulman Player Selected in MLB Draft". Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. June 9, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Reno Aces' Mike Jacobs, Derek Eitel named to PCL All-Star team". Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. July 3, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  6. ↑ Eddy, Matt (June 29, 2015). "MINOR LEAGUE TRANSACTIONS: JUNE 19-25". Baseball America. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  7. ↑ Young, Marcus (September 1, 2016). "Milwaukee Brewers Transactions: August". Miller Park Prospects. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  8. ↑ "PADRES PICK UP WINGNUTS RHP DEREK EITEL". American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. January 5, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Derek Eitel". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  10. ↑ Bloomquist, Bret (July 18, 2016). "Eitel making mark with Chihuahuas bullpen". El Paso Times. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  11. ↑ Byrne, Connor (November 20, 2016). "Nationals Sign Four To Minor League Deals". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Senators Roster Moves: Greg Ross reassigned to Senators; Derek Eitel released". Wordpress. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
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