University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Alan DeRatt Ready to Pitch for Asheville Tourists
04.08.2009 | Baseball
By Jason McGILL
Now, DeRatt is a member of the Tourists' bullpen, and he sits next to the same short right porch he tried to avoid in college. It's the first time a UNC Asheville player will play for the Tourists.
The Colorado Rockies took DeRatt in the 17th round (527th pick) of the 2008 draft, and he spent his first professional season in
“I just looked at the other guys we had and tried to take a little of their games and combine it. (Adam) Jorgenson just airs it out in between appearances. (Isaiah) Fronenberger takes it easier,” said DeRatt, who throws right-handed. “It's been difficult knowing how much rest you need in between. I had plenty of time in college, and that's been the hardest thing to get used to. You've got to get yourself ready every day.”
He'll have a cheering section waiting for him when the Tourists begin their home schedule Monday against
“He's probably beyond anything we can help him do, now. But we'll try to be there for him for whatever he needs,” Stewart said. “He's a very self-motivated guy. He's going to make sure he's prepared and ready to play.
“You can see why he is where he is. I'm not surprised one bit by his success.”
DeRatt's not yet finished with UNC Asheville. He needs nine more hours to graduate with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He also admitted he didn't sign for much money, so any sort of future with the
As far as professional advice goes, there's only been one UNC Asheville alum to reach the big leagues ? Ty Wigginton, who, coincidentally, was also taken in the 17th round during the 1998 draft.
“I got to meet Wigginton during alumni week one year, and something that stuck with me that he said was, ?You've got to prove yourself every day,'” DeRatt said.
Tourists manager Joe Mikulik spent time watching DeRatt during spring training in
“He's a guy who goes about things the right way,” Mikulik said. “He threw strikes. He's not overpowering, but I'm glad to see he made the club. We're going to take it one inning at a time with him. I didn't know anything about him before this year.”
DeRatt didn't allow a run during his final five appearances in
During his senior year at UNC Asheville, DeRatt allowed just two home runs in 98 innings to go with a 1.74 ERA that ranked among the nation's leaders. The Tourists will begin their 2009 season Thursday at
