Derek Richard Dietrich (born July 18, 1989) is an American
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Mod ...
second baseman and
outfielder
An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder. As an outfielder, their duty is to cat ...
who is currently a free agent. He has played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) for the
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
,
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
and
Texas Rangers. Prior to playing professionally, Dietrich starred at
St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio and played for the
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is the name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), located in Atlanta, Georgia. The teams have also been nicknamed the Ramblin' Wrec ...
. While primarily a second baseman, he has also played
left field
In baseball, a left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system ...
and
third base
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system us ...
during his career.
Early life and education
Dietrich attended
St. Ignatius High School in
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...
. One of the top high school players in the country, he took part in the East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase and the AFLAC All-American game while he was a senior.
The
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
selected Dietrich with their first selection, with the 111th overall selection in the third round, of the
2007 Major League Baseball draft.
Dietrich opted not to sign, instead choosing to attend the
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech or, in the state of Georgia, as Tech or The Institute, is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1885, it is part of ...
, where he played
college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...
for the
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Georgia Tech athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conferen ...
team.
[ He was named the ]Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is a collegiate athletic conference located in the eastern United States. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC's fifteen member universities compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Associa ...
's co-player of the week from March 23–28, 2010. He also played collegiate summer baseball
Collegiate summer baseball leagues are amateur baseball leagues in the United States and Canada featuring players who have attended at least one year of college and have at least one year of athletic eligibility remaining. Generally, they operat ...
for the Wareham Gatemen
The Wareham Gatemen are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Wareham, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) and plays in the league's West Division. The Gatemen play their home games at Clem Spillane Fie ...
of the Cape Cod Baseball League
The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over one thousan ...
in 2009 and was named a league all-star.[
]
Career
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. Since its inception ...
selected Dietrich in the second round, with the 79th overall selection, in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Rays and made his professional debut with the Hudson Valley Renegades
Hudson may refer to:
People
* Hudson (given name)
* Hudson (surname)
* Henry Hudson, English explorer
* Hudson (footballer, born 1986), Hudson Fernando Tobias de Carvalho, Brazilian football right-back
* Hudson (footballer, born 1988), Hudson R ...
of the Class A-Short Season
Class A Short Season (officially Short-Season A) was a level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States from 1965 through 2020. In the hierarchy of minor league classifications, it was below Triple-A, Double-A, Class A-Advanced (cre ...
New York–Penn League
The New York–Penn League (NYPL) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the northeastern United States from 1939 to 2020. Classified as a Class A Short Season league, its season started in June, after major-league teams signed th ...
that summer.[ ] In 2011, while playing for the Bowling Green Hot Rods
The Bowling Green Hot Rods are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and play their home games at Bowling Green Ballpark, which open ...
in the Class A Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...
, he set a team record for home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...
s in a season[ and was named a Midwest League all-star.][
Dietrich played for the ]Charlotte Stone Crabs
The Charlotte Stone Crabs were a Minor League Baseball team located in Port Charlotte, Florida, from 2009 to 2020. They competed in the Florida State League (FSL) as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball (MLB) ...
of the Class A-Advanced
High-A (officially Class High-A, formerly known as Class A-Advanced, and sometimes abbreviated "A+" in writing) is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada, below Triple-A and Double-A, and abov ...
Florida State League
The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...
and Montgomery Biscuits
The Montgomery Biscuits are a Minor League Baseball team based in Montgomery, Alabama. They are the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and play in the Southern League. The team was founded in Orlando, Florida, in 1973 as the Orlando Twins ...
of the Class AA
Double-A (officially Class AA) is the second-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946, below only Triple-A. There are currently 30 teams classified at the Double-A level, one for each team in Major League ...
Southern League in 2012. After the 2012 season, the Rays traded Dietrich to the Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
for Yunel Escobar
Yunel Escobar Almenares (born November 2, 1982) is a Cuban-born American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Na ...
. The Marlins assigned Dietrich to the Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in Jacksonville, Florida, and are named for shrimp caught in the area. The team pla ...
of the Southern League at the start of the 2013 season.
Miami Marlins
Following injuries to Donovan Solano
Donovan Solano Preciado (born December 17, 1987) is a Colombian professional baseball second baseman for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, San Francisco ...
and Chris Valaika, the Marlins promoted Dietrich to the major leagues on May 8, 2013, and he made his MLB debut that day. He was optioned back to Jacksonville on July 22.
In 2014, Dietrich served as the Marlins' starting second baseman. They optioned
In the film industry, an option is a contractual agreement pertaining to film rights between a potential film producer (such as a movie studio, a production company, or an individual) and the author of source material, such as a book, play, or s ...
Dietrich to the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Class AAA
Triple-A (officially Class AAA) has been the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946. Currently, two leagues operate at the Triple-A level, the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL). ...
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...
in June due to his poor defense. After the season, Dietrich played winter baseball in the Dominican Professional Baseball League
Dominican may refer to:
* Someone or something from or related to the Dominican Republic ( , stress on the "mi"), on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, in the Caribbean
** People of the Dominican Republic
** Demographics of the Domi ...
, but his season ended prematurely due to an ankle injury.
Dietrich began the 2015 season with New Orleans. The Marlins promoted him to the major leagues on June 12. In 2016, Dietrich batted .279, and was 2nd in the major leagues in hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch (HBP) is an event in which a batter or his clothing or equipment (other than his bat) is struck directly by a pitch from the pitcher; the batter is called a hit batsman (HB). A hit batsman is awarded first base, provided ...
, with 24. He had his best offensive season in 2017, posting career highs in games played (135), at bats (406), runs (56), home runs (13), RBI (53) and walks (36).
In 2018, Dietrich batted .265/.330/.421. He tied for the major league lead in hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch (HBP) is an event in which a batter or his clothing or equipment (other than his bat) is struck directly by a pitch from the pitcher; the batter is called a hit batsman (HB). A hit batsman is awarded first base, provided ...
, with 21. Dietrich was designated for assignment on November 20. After clearing waivers, Dietrich elected free agency on November 26.
Cincinnati Reds
On February 19, 2019, Dietrich signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training
Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...
. In his Reds debut on March 28, Dietrich hit a three-run home run as part of a 5–3 win on Opening Day over the Pirates.
In a game on April 7, 2019, against the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
, Dietrich hit a second-inning, two-run home run that landed in the Allegheny River off of Pirates starter Chris Archer
Christopher Alan Archer (born September 26, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins.
Archer attended Cla ...
. As the ball flew over the wall, Dietrich stayed at home plate and admired the ball for a few seconds as it went over before he started running. When Dietrich returned to bat in the fourth inning, Archer threw a ball behind Dietrich's back. Home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg
Jeffrey William Kellogg (born August 29, 1961) is a retired Major League Baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1991 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues from 2000 to 2019. He wore uniform number 8, formerly worn in the NL by ...
issued Archer a warning, much to the irritation of Reds manager David Bell. As Bell argued with the umpire, benches cleared and Yasiel Puig attempted to throw punches at the Pirates players. In the end of the incident, five people were ejected: Bell, Puig, Reds southpaw Amir Garrett, Pirates setup man Keone Kela
Keone Cole Kela (born April 16, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates and San ...
, and Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez
Felipe Javier Vázquez (né Rivero, born July 5, 1991), nicknamed "Nightmare", is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher and convicted sex offender who is currently on the restricted list for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He previously played for ...
. When play resumed, Dietrich was struck out by Chris Archer, but got another two-run home run, also hit into the river, later in the game off of Pirates pitcher Nick Kingham
Nicholas Gordon Kingham (born November 8, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Toronto Blue Jays, in the KBO League for the SK Wyverns and Hanwha ...
.
In late June 2019, Dietrich set a new MLB record for being hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch (HBP) is an event in which a batter or his clothing or equipment (other than his bat) is struck directly by a pitch from the pitcher; the batter is called a hit batsman (HB). A hit batsman is awarded first base, provided ...
in a single series, when he was hit six times in the first three games of a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. After the 2019 season, the Reds sent Dietrich outright off of the 25-man roster to the Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Louisville, Kentucky, and are named in dual reference to the bat, win ...
. On February 12, 2020, Dietrich re-signed with the Reds on a minor league deal.
On July 20, 2020, the Reds released Dietrich per his request. Dietrich had an opt-out clause in his contract. Dietrich was not expected to have a large role with the Reds for the 2020 season.
Chicago Cubs
On July 23, 2020, Dietrich signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs and joined the team's 60-man player pool. Dietrich was granted his release by the organization on August 9, 2020, having never played a game for them.
Texas Rangers
On August 10, 2020, Dietrich signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. He was selected to the active roster on August 11. In his debut on August 12, he went 3-for-3, in addition to being hit by a pitch, and scored two runs. He sparked a come from behind rally in the bottom of the 8th inning, propelling the Rangers to a 7-4 victory.
New York Yankees
On February 12, 2021, Dietrich signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
for the 2021 season, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training. On March 27, 2021, Dietrich was released by the Yankees, but re-signed with the Yankees on a new minor league contract two days later. In 36 games with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (often abbreviated to SWB RailRiders) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They are located in Moosic, Pennsylvania, in the ...
, Dietrich logged a .215/.415/.393 slash with 5 home runs and 22 RBI. Dietrich opted out of his minor league deal on July 3, and elected free agency.
Washington Nationals
On July 9, 2021, Dietrich signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They are located in Rochester, New York, and play their home games at Innovative Field ...
. Dietrich played in 43 games for Rochester, hitting .121 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI's. On September 13, Dietrich was released by the Nationals.
New York Yankees (second stint)
On April 18, 2022, Dietrich signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
.
On August 5, 2022, Dietrich was suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games after testing positive for dimethylpentylamine, a banned substance under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He elected free agency on November 10, 2022.
Personal life
Dietrich's grandfather, Steve Demeter, played in Major League Baseball.
Dietrich is a juggler
Juggling is a physical skill, performed by a juggler, involving the manipulation of objects for recreation, entertainment, art or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling. Juggling can be the manipulation of one object ...
and performs at community events and hospitals for children.
Dietrich was in a relationship with professional tennis player Monica Puig
Monica Puig Marchán, (born September 27, 1993) is a Puerto Rican former professional tennis player. She is the first Puerto Rican in history to win a gold medal at the Olympics while representing Puerto Rico, having done so in 2016 at th ...
; the two began dating in 2018.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dietrich, Derek
1989 births
Living people
American sportspeople in doping cases
Baseball players from Cleveland
Major League Baseball second basemen
Miami Marlins players
Cincinnati Reds players
Texas Rangers players
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball players
Wareham Gatemen players
Hudson Valley Renegades players
Bowling Green Hot Rods players
Charlotte Stone Crabs players
Montgomery Biscuits players
Jacksonville Suns players
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players
Rochester Red Wings players
Saint Ignatius High School (Cleveland) alumni