The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired pitcher Derrick Edington from the Windy City Thunderbolts. The 24-year-old is a right-handed pitcher from Pickford, Michigan. The Windy City ThunderBolts are a professional baseball team based in the Chicago suburb of Crestwood, Illinois. The Windy City Thunderbolts have been a member of the Frontier League, an MLB Partner League, since 1999.
Big News Alert!
Derrick Edington, a standout pitcher from the Windy City ThunderBolts, has been acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays! 🌟⚾️ #ThunderBolts #TampaBayRays #MLB #CongratsDerrick #NextLevel @wcthunderbolts @raysbaseball pic.twitter.com/2v4xQwKuWO
— Frontier League (@FLProBaseball) May 16, 2024
Rays Land RHP Derrick Edington from Frontier League
Edington with a strikeout to end the 5th inning
Derrick allowed 2 hits with 1 earned run in 5 innings pic.twitter.com/1RLxfF80uw
— Davenport Baseball (@DU_BSBALL) March 13, 2022
In 2023, Edington recorded a 1.64 ERA, a 4-1 record, and five saves. This season, he has recorded a save and despite pitching only 3 2/3 innings, has seven strikeouts. In 2021, he was named to the GLIAC All-Academic List. He attended Davenport University and Kellog Community College. In terms of his pro career in 2022 he commenced with the Eastside Diamond Hoppers of the United Shore League. Edington was chosen as the second overall pick in the 2023 Frontier League draft. He then went on to sign on April 28, 2023. Edington went 6-4 with a 3.26 ERA over 15 games in 10 starts. He also struck out 76 batters in 66 1/3 innings. Looking at his physique, Edington stands at an imposing 6 foot 8, which is quite tall for a young pitcher.
Another Davenport Panther has signed, and Edington is now part of the Rays organization. Nine Panthers have signed with MLB organizations in the last eight years, and eight of them are pitchers. Back on July 29th, 2022, Edington struck out six batters in seven scoreless innings. He is known to have a solid changeup and curve.
When Edington was in high school, he competed in baseball, basketball, track, and football. He played American Legion baseball with the EUP Travelers and was named all-state in basketball and football. When playing for Davenport, Derrick was also named GLIAC Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week in March of 2022. On July 6th, 2022, Edington was selected to play in the USPBL All-Star Game.
That’s A Wrap!
It will be interesting to see how Derrick progresses as a pitcher and slowly makes his way up to the majors. The Rays are currently fourth in the AL East. Watching pitchers grow and make their way up to the majors is always compelling. Edington will certainly have to put in his work in the minors with the Rays but has showcased a promising baseball resumé. Learning more about him as he develops his professional baseball career will also be interesting. With all his accomplishments in high school, college, and minor league ball, the majors should be within arm’s reach. Edington will be joining a team that has already acquired former Panther pitchers, so joining the Rays should be a smooth transition for him.
Photo Credit: © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
