• Full name Derek Austin Self
  • Born 01/14/1990 in Cave City, KY
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Louisville
  • Drafted in the 9th round (294th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2012 (signed for $25,000).
    View Draft Report
    Self hoped to sign with the Athletics as a 27th-round pick last year, so he skipped summer ball in favor of long-tossing and lifting weights. He never got a deal done with Oakland but did get stronger, which has paid off with improved stuff in his senior season. Scouts like Self more now than they did when he was winning the first 16 decisions of his Louisville career. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder's fastball has gone from 87-91 mph to 92-95 and his so-so slider has transformed into an 87-88 mph cutter. He seems to be most effective when he sacrifices a little velocity for added sink. Self doesn't miss a lot of bats, but he doesn't beat himself with walks and he generates groundout after groundout. He's attractive to teams as a senior who belongs in the top 10 rounds and still can be had at a discount.

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