- Full name Derrick Van Dusen
- Born
- Profile Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Rangers acquired Van Dusen from the Mariners in the Ismael Valdes deal. Van Dusen isn't a premium pitching prospect, but he's lefthanded and has a slider that could be a plus major league pitch. He also has an above-average changeup that may be better than Mario Ramos'. Van Dusen has a deceptive delivery and, despite his unorthodox arm action, he has the ability to command his 84-87 mph fastball, slider and changeup. He pauses a bit during his windup, a change he made in 2002. He also shows a good feel for pitching. He sailed through the Mariners system, keeping hitters off balance and building his confidence, until he reached Double-A. Van Dusen bounced back after the trade and then reported to the Arizona Fall League, where he worked on his slider and got his first extended taste of relieving. The Rangers will keep him in the rotation this year in Double-A, but a move to the bullpen remains a possibility. -
After pitching Riverside CC to the California community college championship and having a wildly successful pro debut in 2000, baseball wasn't Van Dusen's primary focus at the start of last season. Assigned to Wisconsin, he pitched twice before going home to California to be with his mother, who was dying of cancer. He worked out with San Bernardino, pitching just once more before returning to the Midwest League in mid-June. The highlight of his season came in August, when he threw a 12-strikeout no-hitter against a Cedar Rapids lineup stacked with righthanders. He gets righties out with his slider, his lone plus pitch. His fastball sits in the high 80s and tops out at 92 mph, and his changeup is coming along. He competes very well and aggressively pitches inside. He reminds the Mariners of Andy Van Hekken, a lefty they drafted in the third round in 1998 and traded to the Tigers a year later. Van Dusen has been very stingy with baserunners, holding hitters to a .233 average and posting a 5.3-1 strikeout-walk ratio since turning pro. He just needs to build more confidence in his changeup. He'll return to high Class A under happier circumstances in 2002. -
Van Dusen pitched Riverside Community College to its first California state title in May. He continued his domination in the Arizona League, forcing a midseason promotion to Everett, where he continued his torrid strikeout pace. Van Dusen already is comfortable throwing strikes and knows what to do with his stuff. His fastball and slider are both average pitches. He uses the slider effectively against both lefthanders and righthanders. His changeup is coming along nicely as well, though it's definitely his third pitch. Van Dusen has grown two inches since finishing high school and the Mariners aren't sure he's done yet. He should continue his baseball growth this season at Wisconsin. He already has shown the aptitude to move quickly, so he might not be there long.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Van Dusen pitched Riverside Community College to its first California state title in May and continued his domination in the AZL. That led to a midseason promotion to short-season Everett, where he fanned 24 more batters in 15 innings. "He overmatched hitters in this league," Munoz said. "He's not very big, but he’s mechanically sound and has got great stuff. He's got an 89-90 mph fastball with good movement and a major league slider." "He's got a great tempo," Bushong said. "He's not afraid to challenge hitters or use both sides of the plate to throw strikes. He's got excellent command of all his pitches."
Scouting Reports
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Van Dusen pitched Riverside Community College to its first California state title in May and continued his domination in the AZL. That led to a midseason promotion to short-season Everett, where he fanned 24 more batters in 15 innings. "He overmatched hitters in this league," Munoz said. "He's not very big, but he’s mechanically sound and has got great stuff. He's got an 89-90 mph fastball with good movement and a major league slider." "He's got a great tempo," Bushong said. "He's not afraid to challenge hitters or use both sides of the plate to throw strikes. He's got excellent command of all his pitches."