Derrick Lewis

Derrick Lamar Lewis

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 210 lb.

• Schools Florida A&M University, Central Alabama Community College
• High School Sidney Lanier High School

• Born May 7, 1976 in Montgomery, AL USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Derrick Lewis pitched for three years in AAA but never made the majors.

Lewis was taken by the Boston Red Sox in the 35th round of the 1994 amateur draft out of high school, but did not sign. The next year, Boston chose him in the 36th round, but he again did not sign. In 1997, Lewis went 5-6 with a 3.42 ERA, the best figure in the Mid-Eastern Conference. The Atlanta Braves chose him in the 20th round of the 1997 amateur draft, beginning a long association with that organization.

Derrick struggled in his pro debut with the Danville Braves (2-4, 6.34, 1.81 WHIP). In 1998, he improved to 5-6, 3.81 for the Macon Braves. The tall right-hander had a great year for the 1999 Myrtle Beach Pelicans with a 8-4, 2.40 record and 100 hits in 131 innings. He was second in the Carolina League in ERA, behind only Josh Kalinowski, but also paced the circuit with 81 walks.

With the Greenville Braves in 2000, the Alabama native went 7-9 with a 3.30 ERA. He held opponents to a .239 average and led his staff with 143 strikeouts but also walked 83 in 163 2/3 innings. Lewis had a better ERA than teammate Jason Marquis. He was two walks shy of Southern League leader Shawn Chacon. Making it to AAA with the 2001 Richmond Braves, Derrick was 4-4 with a 4.45 ERA; he was one step away from becoming the first MLB pitcher from Florida A&M, a school noted for outfielders Andre Dawson, Vince Coleman, Hal McRae and Marquis Grissom. Injury shortened his season, though, hurting his chances.

Recuperating in 2002, Lewis was with Macon (1 R in 5 IP), Greenville (1-0, 0 R in 6 IP) and Richmond (3-5, 4.56). Moving to the bullpen, he struggled in 2003 with Greenville (7 R in 8 1/3 IP) and Richmond (2-5, 7.15). Retiring as a player, he remained in the Braves system as a pitching coach.

• 2004-2007 Pitching coach GCL Braves
• 2008-2010 Pitching coach Danville Braves
• 2011-2013 Pitching coach Rome Braves
• 2014 Pitching coach Lynchburg Hillcats
• 2015-2016 Pitching coach Carolina Mudcats
• 2017 Pitching coach Mississippi Braves
• 2018-2019 Minor league pitching coordinator Atlanta Braves
• 2020 Minor league assistant pitching coordinator Kansas City Royals
• 2021-2022 Pitching coach Northwest Arkansas Naturals
• 2023-2024 Pitching coach Quad Cities River Bandits

After the 2011 season, Lewis also served as the pitching coach for the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.