• Full name Derek Starling
  • Born 08/03/1992 in Gardner, KS
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Gardner Edgerton
  • Debut 07/12/2019
  • Drafted in the 1st round (5th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2011 (signed for $7,500,000).
    View Draft Report
    Starling is the best athlete in the 2011 draft. As a pitcher, he'd be a potential first-round pick as a 6-foot-5, 195-pound righthander with a fastball that touches 95 mph. He's also a gifted quarterback who earned a scholarship from Nebraska after leading Gardner-Edgerton to the Kansas 5-A state semifinals as a senior. Starling ran for 2,377 yards and 31 touchdowns last fall, while passing for 790 yards and eight more scores. Despite his ability on the mound and on the gridiron, his future is as a five-tool center fielder who resembles Drew Stubbs. Starling missed nearly a month with a quad injury this spring, but that didn't dent scouts' enthusiasm, and he homered twice in his first game back. His strength, bat speed and the leverage in his righthanded swing give him above-average power. His swing got long at times on the showcase circuit, but Starling did a nice job of shortening it and making consistent hard contact later in the summer. His speed is as impressive as his power, making him a basestealing threat and giving him plenty of range in center field. He has the power and arm strength to profile as a star in right field as well. Starling has faced little in the way of challenging high school competition and will need to smooth out rough edges in his game in pro ball, but that hasn't prevented him from making the short list of candidates to go No. 1 overall to the Pirates.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Kansas City Royals in 2019
  • Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Kansas City Royals in 2018
  • Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Carolina League in 2014
  • Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Carolina League in 2014
  • Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Kansas City Royals in 2014
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Kansas City Royals in 2014
  • Rated Best Power Hitter in the Kansas City Royals in 2014
  • Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Kansas City Royals in 2013
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Kansas City Royals in 2013
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Kansas City Royals in 2012
  • Rated Best Power Hitter in the Kansas City Royals in 2012

Scouting Reports

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