VanderLaan made his professional debut with the Alexandria Aces in 2012, starting six games and posting an 0-3 record. He pitched in college at Michigan State for nine games in 2009 before transferring to Cameron University in Lawton, OK. Went 5-4 and led Cameron in starts (13) and innings (67 2/3) his senior season with a 5.99 ERA, completing three games. Was 3-1 as a junior in 12 games in 2011 for the Aggies, in 2010 he led Cameron in starts (11) and posted a 3-4 record with two complete games. Also a talented football player who spent the fall as running back for Graceland University, catching one pass for 13 yards and returning one kick in four games. Earned four letters in baseball and three in football at Cypress Ridge High School, where he was rated as one of the top 85 right-handed pitchers in the country by PGCrosschecker.com and posted a 1.29 ERA his junior year. Has the Walt Whitman quote “I see great things in baseball. It’s our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us” tattooed on his arm.