Drafted in the 4th round (136th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 (signed for $100,000).
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Degerman ranked among the top NCAA Division I pitchers in wins (9-1), ERA (1.37) and strikeouts (119 in 92 innings). Not bad for a guy who couldn't get on the mound in two years at UC Irvine. He transferred to Rice after the Owls won the 2003 national title. Degerman has a stiff, over-the-top delivery that, while unorthodox, also allows him to stay on top of his pitches and drive them to the bottom of the strike zone. His best offering is a high-70s curveball, and his fastball has improved from 87-90 to 89-92 mph during the last year. He can subtract velocity from his breaking ball, using the slower version of his curveball as a changeup. He repeats his mechanics well, and the different look is tough on batters. Just a 41st-round pick a year ago, the Red Sox still control his rights, but Rice's season should extend beyond the period when Boston could sign him, and he should become a nice bargain pick as a fifth-year senior.
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