Spring Training Preview: Starting Pitching

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Derek is a friend of the site and a friend of the podcast, so I am glad that I get to project him as the number 2 starter going into the 2012 season. Derek Holland pitched the way we have been told he can pitch since the day he was first on the radar of Texas Rangers fans. We were told that Derek had lights out stuff, and the Rangers remained unwilling to trade him season after season, even though many clubs were very interested in his services. He struggled his first two seasons in the big leagues (11-17, 5.10 ERA) but the Rangers stuck with him. And in 2011, it really paid off. Derek was 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA, and he was very good in the post season as well. in 4 starts, he was 2-0 with a 3.62 ERA. His over all post season ERA is 3.78, and he is 6-0 all time as well. Derek is the real deal, and I would expect him to be the Rangers ace in the near future, or at least compete with Yu Darvish for that honor if Yu works out to be as good as we are all hoping he will be. And, Derek has assured me that his hair and mustache is not going anywhere anytime soon, so we have that to look forward to as well! (hear it here).

So what should we expect from Holland in 2012? Well, I plan on asking him this week when we interview him, but here is what I am thinking before I get the chance to talk with him. Derek is the real deal, and I think he is going to have a real breakout season in 2012. I expect Holland to be 17-4 with a 3.21 ERA, strikeout 180 (previous strikeout high is 162, 2011) while only walking 55. He will give up 18 home-runs (2009, he gave up 26 and 2011 it was 22) and will be the Rangers Most Valuable Pitcher. I also expect the Rangers to try and lock him down to a long term contract, which I think would be a very, very good idea. If the Rangers let Derek Holland go, I would be very disappointed in them! He will be a legit no. 1, mark my words.