- Full name Derek Burkamper
- Born
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 198 / Throws: R
- School Nebraska
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
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Only once in draft history has Iowa produced two top-10-round pitchers in the same year (Michael Knox and Wayne Rennig in 1970), but the state has two arms worthy of an early selection this spring. Signability may push Washington High (Cedar Rapids) lefthander A.J. Puk and Burkamper lower in the draft, but both have been crosschecked this spring. Burkamper didn't enter 2013 with nearly the same amount of hype as Puk, but he has risen up draft boards thanks to his polish. A 6-foot-2, 180-pounder, he throws an 88-92 mph fastball, a tight curveball and a changeup that could be an average pitch in time. He has more command, angle and life on his pitches than most pitchers with a high arm slot, though his arm action can get a bit long. Burkamper's curve is his most effective offering, though he tips it off by altering his release point. He has committed to Nebraska.
