Derek played in the Toronto Blue Jays organization from 1992 to 1998.  Derek grew up in London, Ontario, Canada, where he graduated from South Secondary School. He was a member of the 1988 Canadian Junior Olympic Team, and the Senior National Team in 1989 and 1990. Derek attended Oklahoma State University and lettered 3 years as a pitcher, where he pitched in the College World Series before being drafted after his junior year in the 29th round by the Toronto Blue Jays (1992). Derek played for 6 seasons in the Blue Jays system topping out at AAA. During his time with Toronto Derek also participated in the Arizona Fall League, the Australian Baseball League (winter ball) and the Venezuelan Major League (winter ball).

Derek is a devoted husband, and father of two, and since his career ending injury, has been the Assistant Coach at the University of Western Ontario from 1999-2000, and the Pitching Coach at the University of Texas at Dallas from 2001 to 2003. While coaching at UTD, Derek started attending the University of DeVry as a student, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2005. Derek has developed successful teams through dedicated commitment to his players and the ability to transfer his knowledge of the game to them. 

Derek is entering his third year as an 8th grade science teacher and football/track coach at McDonald Middle School , as well as a North Mesquite HS varsity baseball assistant coach in the 2011-2012 school year. 

Derek has been involved in the local community for many years now as a volunteer, substitute teacher, and technology teacher at Draper Intermediate School  in the Wylie ISD from the 2004 to 2009 school years. Derek was the volunteer director for the Hartman Elementary, and Harrison Intermediate Chess Clubs in Wylie, and the Cox Elementary Chess Club in Sachse during this time.

Derek Brandow can be reached at 972 824 8072

www.dereksbetterbaseball.com