Derrin was briefly a Major League relief pitcher in 1999 for the Atlanta Braves. He seriously studied and tried to mimic the pitching mechanics of his real-life character in Moneyball (2011), Mike Magnante, who wore knee braces when he pitched for the Oakland A's. Originally, Ebert got an audition for the movie through a friend he coaches Little League with who knew someone at the casting agency. He now says he feels optimistic about a future in other film roles, since
Brad Pitt told him he has a real knack for acting.