Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders land power pitcher in Heffel
5/6/2016 10:17:00 AM | Baseball
Transfer expected to provide impact
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Derek Heffel has signed a national letter of intent to continue his baseball career at Middle Tennessee, according to Blue Raider Head Baseball Coach Jim McGuire.
Heffel (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) is a sophomore at Madison Junior College in Madison, Wis., which also produced Middle Tennessee pitching standout Nate Hoffmann.
The hard-throwing righty will have an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Middle Tennessee weekend rotation in 2017.
"Derek is a big, tall right-handed pitcher who has an opportunity to throw harder than he does now," McGuire said. "He was a guy we had targeted for a while, and we have recruited him for a while. We believe he is capable of coming in and having a chance to be a weekend starter and that is important considering we lose two seniors who have been in the weekend rotation the past two years. To get someone of his caliber is a big plus for us."
Heffel has proven to be a big-game pitcher for Madison. He has produced a 12-4 overall record in his two seasons with the WolfPack. Heffel made 11 starts and produced a 9-1 record with an impressive 2.51 earned run average in 2015. He limited opponents to a .250 batting average and led the team in wins (9) and strikeouts (64). Heffel threw three complete games, one shutout and was also part of a combined shutout.
Due to a tough spring weather-wise in Wisconsin, Heffel has not had as many opportunities in 2016 because of cancellations. He is 3-3 with a 3.04 ERA and 45 strikeouts with only 19 walks in 47-1/3 innings pitched.
McGuire said Heffel has a high ceiling and will be a great fit for the Blue Raider program.
"(Heffel) has a pro future ahead of him," McGuire said. "He has a chance to be a power pitcher. He has a chance to make another jump from where he is now. He can help us right now, but his potential is pretty much endless."
The son of Kurt and Mary Heffel, Derek Heffel attended Racine St. Catherine's High School in Racine, Wis., where he was a four-year player and three-time letterwinner. Heffell was named All-Metro-Classic three years and was an all-region selection as a junior.
Heffel helped lead his team to the Wisconsin State Championship game in 2012 and 2014.
Heffel (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) is a sophomore at Madison Junior College in Madison, Wis., which also produced Middle Tennessee pitching standout Nate Hoffmann.
The hard-throwing righty will have an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Middle Tennessee weekend rotation in 2017.
"Derek is a big, tall right-handed pitcher who has an opportunity to throw harder than he does now," McGuire said. "He was a guy we had targeted for a while, and we have recruited him for a while. We believe he is capable of coming in and having a chance to be a weekend starter and that is important considering we lose two seniors who have been in the weekend rotation the past two years. To get someone of his caliber is a big plus for us."
Heffel has proven to be a big-game pitcher for Madison. He has produced a 12-4 overall record in his two seasons with the WolfPack. Heffel made 11 starts and produced a 9-1 record with an impressive 2.51 earned run average in 2015. He limited opponents to a .250 batting average and led the team in wins (9) and strikeouts (64). Heffel threw three complete games, one shutout and was also part of a combined shutout.
Due to a tough spring weather-wise in Wisconsin, Heffel has not had as many opportunities in 2016 because of cancellations. He is 3-3 with a 3.04 ERA and 45 strikeouts with only 19 walks in 47-1/3 innings pitched.
McGuire said Heffel has a high ceiling and will be a great fit for the Blue Raider program.
"(Heffel) has a pro future ahead of him," McGuire said. "He has a chance to be a power pitcher. He has a chance to make another jump from where he is now. He can help us right now, but his potential is pretty much endless."
The son of Kurt and Mary Heffel, Derek Heffel attended Racine St. Catherine's High School in Racine, Wis., where he was a four-year player and three-time letterwinner. Heffell was named All-Metro-Classic three years and was an all-region selection as a junior.
Heffel helped lead his team to the Wisconsin State Championship game in 2012 and 2014.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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