Riverdale, N.Y. (July 17, 2007)- Former Jasper backstop Nick Derba was promoted to the Full Season Class A Swing of the Quad Cities, it was announced July 12. Derba is the second former member of the Jasper 9 to earn a promotion this season, moving up to the league vacated by Chris Cody, who is now playing in the Advanced Class A Florida State League.
Derba was drafted into the St. Louis Cardinals organization in the 30th round of the MLB Draft, and began his professional career with the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Penn League (Short Season Class A). While playing for Batavia, the College Park, N.Y. native batted .267 over 19 games, tallying one homer, seven doubles, and eight RBI while posting a .413 on base percentage and a .433 slugging percentage.
The Archbishop Molloy HS graduate's new home should be familiar to those who closely follow Manhattan baseball, as Mike Parisi, former Jasper ace and current member of the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds, plied his trade in the Quad Cities during the 2005 season.
Derba made an immediate impression with his new team, belting a two-run homer in his first game with the Swing, and putting up a 3-4 night in his second game. Since being promoted, Derba is batting .667 (4-6), with Quad Cities winning both games.
CLICK HERE for Derba's MiLB.com profile page.
CLICK HERE for the Swing of the Quad Cites website.
CLICK HERE for promotion release.
