Inspired by College Baseball Daily’s list of the top 100 college baseball players, BluGrass Baseball is counting down the top 25 returning Kentucky collegians in advance of the 2011 season. We continue the list today with a 2010 Cape Cod League all-star.

No 16 — RHP Derek Self — University of Louisville

Derek Self; UofL photo

Junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self was 7-0 with a 4.52 ERA in 27 games, including eight starts, for UofL in 2010. The Cave City native struck out 50 batters and walked 11 in 61 and two-third innings. Self moved between the weekend starting rotation and a midweek starting role in 2010, but he did start the Cards’ NCAA tournament opening win over St. Louis. He is among the candidates for a weekend starting role in 2011 but will serve as a valuable weapon either as a starter or reliever.

Self was named a 2010 Cape Cod League all-star and finished the summer season at 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 42 innings for the Chatham Anglers. On July 11 he pitched a complete-game, one-hitter for the Anglers. In his two-year UofL career Self is 14-0 with a 4.25 ERA. He has struck out 84 batters and walked 25 in 108 collegiate innings pitched. Self was named a Louisville Slugger freshman all-American in 2009.