Derek Tarapacki

Derek James Tarapacki

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 200 lb.
• Schools University of Hawai'i, Yavapai Junior College
• High School Saguaro High School

• Born August 17, 1985 in Buffalo, NY USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Derek Tarapacki was a closer at Yavapai Junior College; the team finished second in the 2006 NJCAA World Series. The Toronto Blue Jays chose Derek in the 35th round of the 2005 amateur draft but he did not sign.

For 2011, Tarapacki signed with UVV in the Netherlands and was the top vote-getting reliever for the South in the 2011 Hoofdklasse All-Star Game. In that contest, he tossed a scoreless second, fanning two and allowing a Mike Duursma single; he outperformed starter Diegomar Markwell and the guy who relieved him, Craig Anderson, who both had pitched in the Olympics and the high minors. He finished 4-3 with 7 saves and a 2.70 ERA, striking out 62 in 46 2/3 IP. He was 9th in ERA (between Orlando Yntema and Shane Gnade), 7th in opponent average (.224, between Kevin Heijstek and Ben Grover), Ks (tied for 7th with Nick Veltkamp), saves (tied for 2nd with Nick Stuifbergen, two behind Arshwin Asjes), and 3rd in appearances (24, 2 behind Patrick Beljaards and one behind Sedley Karel). He was even better with UVV in the 2012 Hoofdklasse (3-0, 7 Sv, 0.64 ERA, 59 K in 42 IP, .64 WHIP). He amazingly did not lead the league in ERA (2nd, .42 behind Rob Cordemans) but he did lead in opponent average (.139, .027 behind Grover), tied Dushan Ruzic for 3rd in saves and led in games pitched (one more than Asjes).

His grandfather, Dave Tarapacki, played in the St. Louis Cardinals system in 1949.