Chris Devenski
Devenski with the Houston Astros in 2017
Tampa Bay Rays
Pitcher
Born: (1990-11-13) November 13, 1990
Cerritos, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 8, 2016, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record25–21
Earned run average3.78
Strikeouts391
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Christopher Michael Devenski (born November 13, 1990), also known as "Devo", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previousy played in MLB for the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Angels. Prior to playing professionally, Devenski played college baseball for Golden West College and California State University, Fullerton. The Chicago White Sox selected Devenski in the 25th round, with the 771st overall selection, of the 2011 MLB draft. He was named an MLB All-Star in 2017.

Amateur career

Devenski attended Gahr High School in Cerritos, California. He played for the school's baseball team as both a pitcher and a shortstop.[1][2] He graduated in 2008, and enrolled at Golden West College, where he played college baseball in his freshman year as a pitcher and shortstop.[3] Devenski transferred to California State University, Fullerton, where he continued his college baseball career with the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The Titans' coaches convinced him to focus on pitching, and he accrued 182+2⁄3 innings pitched over 104 games in two seasons with the school.[1] He also played collegiate summer baseball for the Woodstock River Bandits of the Valley Baseball League in 2011.[4]

Professional career

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox selected Devenski in the 25th round, with the 771st overall selection, of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.[5][6] He made his professional debut with the Great Falls Voyagers of the Rookie-level Pioneer League. He started the 2012 season with the Kannapolis Intimidators of the Class A South Atlantic League.

Houston Astros

On August 3, 2012, Devenski was traded to the Houston Astros as the player to be named later in an earlier trade where the White Sox acquired Brett Myers. The Astros had already acquired Blair Walters and Matt Heidenreich in the trade.[7][8] He had a 6–5 win–loss record (W–L) and a 4.23 earned run average (ERA) in 19 games started for Kannapolis before the trade. The Astros assigned him to the Lexington Legends of the Single–A Midwest League. On August 31, in his fifth start for Lexington, he threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts.[9]

Devenski and Lexington Legends teammates celebrate after the final out of his no-hitter in 2012.

Devenski began the 2013 season with the Lancaster JetHawks of the High–A California League. He struggled with Lancaster, working to a 7.88 ERA in 75+1⁄3 innings pitched, and was demoted to the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Single–A Midwest League.[10] Devenski started the 2014 season with Lancaster and received another midseason promotion, this time to the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Double–A Texas League.[11] He pitched for Corpus Christi in 2015, finishing the season with a 3.01 ERA in 119+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was named their pitcher of the year.[12][13] He was promoted to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League for the playoffs and pitched seven one-hit innings to help Fresno win the Triple-A National Championship Game.[14] He was named the most valuable player of the championship game.[5] Eligible in the Rule 5 draft after the 2015 season, the Astros did not protect Devenski on their 40-man roster, but Devenski was not selected.[11]

The Astros assigned Devenski to Fresno for Opening Day of the 2016 season, but promoted him to the major leagues on April 6. He made his MLB debut on April 8.[15] He finished the 2016 season with a 2.16 ERA and 0.914 walks plus hits per inning pitched ratio in 48 appearances.[16]

Devenski continued to pitch for the Astros as a multi-inning relief pitcher in 2017.[11] He was named to the American League's (AL) roster for the MLB All-Star Game on July 7. As of that day, he had a 2.09 ERA in 51+2⁄3 innings pitched, and led all major league relief pitchers in innings pitched, in strikeouts with 72, and tied for the most wins, with 6.[17] He finished the regular season with an 8–5 win–loss record, a 2.68 ERA, and 100 strikeouts with 26 walks in 80+2⁄3 innings pitched.[18] Devenski appeared in five games of the World Series, pitching a total of five innings while allowing four hits and four runs, although he was the winning pitcher of Game 2.[19] Devenski was the first pitcher in Astros' history to win a World Series game.

Devenski and the Astros agreed to a $1.525 million salary for the 2019 season.[20] On August 3, 2019, Devenski worked the ninth inning in a combined no-hitter of the Seattle Mariners; the game was started by Aaron Sanchez, and Will Harris and Joe Biagini preceded Devenski in relief. The final score was 9–0.[21] However, Devenski struggled throughout the season, setting a career high 4.83 ERA in 61 games.

On September 15, 2020, Devenski underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow and missed the rest of the 2020 season. At the time of the surgery, he had allowed 6 earned runs across 3+2⁄3 frames.[22]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 20, 2021, Devenski signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[23] On March 29, 2021, Devenski was selected to the 40-man roster.[24] On May 15, Devenski was placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained right UCL.[25] On June 6, Devenski underwent Tommy John surgery, officially ending his 2021 season.[26] Devenski registered an 8.59 ERA in 8 games for Arizona in 2021. On October 8, Devenski elected free agency.[27] On October 25, 2021, Devenski re-signed with the Diamondbacks on a minor league contract.[28]

Devenski returned to action rehabbing with the Arizona Complex League Diamondbacks, before later being elevated to the Triple-A Reno Aces, where he logged a 7.36 ERA across 6 appearances. On July 26, 2022, Devenski's contract was selected to the major league roster.[29] On August 26, Devenski was designated for assignment and became a free agent.

Philadelphia Phillies

On August 30, 2022, Devenski signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He made 9 appearances for the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, posting a strong 1.04 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 8+2⁄3 innings pitched. On September 25, Devenski's contract was selected to the major league roster.[30]

In 2022 between the two teams, in the major leagues he was 2–1 with an 8.59 ERA in 14.2 innings in which he gave up 21 hits in 18 relief appearances.[31]

Los Angeles Angels

On November 28, 2022, Devenski signed a one-year minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. On March 25, 2023, it was announced that Devenski did not make the team's Opening Day roster. Devenski opted to remain with the Angels and report to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees rather than exercising his opt-out clause.[32] He made 7 appearances in Salt Lake, posting a 4.00 ERA with 9 strikeouts in as many innings pitched. On April 29, Devenski was selected to the active roster after José Quijada was placed on the injured list.[33] In 29 appearances for the Angels, he recorded a 5.09 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33+2⁄3 innings of work. After spending a month on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, Devenski was activated on August 25 and subsequently designated for assignment.[34] On August 29, he was released.

Tampa Bay Rays

On August 29, 2023, Devenski signed a major league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[35] He became a free agent following the season and re-signed with the Rays on a new major league contract December 5, 2023.[36]

Personal life

Devenski was raised in Santa Ana, California. His father, Mike, owns a moving company. Amanda, his twin sister, is a teacher. While he was attending college, his family moved to Artesia, California.[3]

Devenski is often known to Astros fans by the nickname "Devo" after the new wave band of the 1980s.[37]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Whicker: Chris Devenski keeps on truckin' in Astros' bullpen". September 14, 2017.
  2. ↑ Robert Morales (May 14, 2008). "Devenski dominates for Gahr – Daily News". Dailynews.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Pedro Moura (October 29, 2017). "From the rough streets of Santa Ana to the World Series, Chris Devenski has come a long way to find success". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  4. ↑ "VBL Teammates Contribute to World Series Title". Valley League Baseball. December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Beach, Long (April 8, 2016). "Gahr grad Devenski called up to the Astros – Press Telegram". Presstelegram.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Gahr High Graduates Selected In Major League Baseball Draft". Cerritos-Artesia, California Patch. June 9, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  7. ↑ Rajan, Greg (October 29, 2017). "Astros' Chris Devenski has had unusual road to World Series". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  8. ↑ Batterson, Steve (July 31, 2013). "River Bandits experience career-changing trades". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  9. ↑ Cox, Zack (September 1, 2012). "Legends' Devenski fans 16 in no-hitter – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Family, baseball help Astros' Devenski thrive | Texas League". Milb.com. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  11. 1 2 3 Ken Rosenthal (May 12, 2017). "Astros' Chris Devenski is simply 'the hottest pitcher on the planet'". FOX Sports. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Driven Devenski: Hooks righty putting together impressive season". caller.com. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Devenski named Hooks Pitcher of Year". caller.com. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Chris Devenski helps Fresno win AAA natl title". Houston Astros. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  15. ↑ Kaplan, Jake (April 8, 2016). "Chris Devenski has hectic few days after called up by Astros". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  16. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (January 20, 2016). "Chris Devenski gives shutout relief for Astros". MLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  17. ↑ Atkins, Hunter (July 7, 2017). "Astros' Chris Devenski added to All-Star roster". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  18. ↑ Atkins, Hunter (March 5, 2018). "Astros' Chris Devenski working to halt runners". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  19. ↑ McTaggart, Brian; Gurnick, Ken. "Houston Astros win 2017 World Series". MLB. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  20. ↑ Rome, Chandler (February 3, 2019). "Astros, Chris Devenski settle arbitration case". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Astros pitchers toss combined no-hitter against Mariners". Houston Chronicle. August 3, 2019.
  22. ↑ Adams, Steve (September 16, 2020). "Chris Devenski undergoes elbow surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Diamondbacks to Sign Chris Devenski".
  24. ↑ "Diamondbacks Select Chris Devenski, Place Tyler Clippard on 60-Day IL".
  25. ↑ "Diamondbacks Place Kelly, Bukauskas, Devenski On Injured List". MLB Trade Rumors.
  26. ↑ "Chris Devenski Undergoes Tommy John Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors.
  27. ↑ "Ildemaro Vargas, Chris Devenski Elect Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Chris Devenski Stats, Fantasy & News". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Diamondbacks' Chris Devenski: Contract selected by Arizona". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Phillies Select Chris Devenski". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Chris Devenski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  32. ↑ "Angels' Chris Devenski: Staying with Angels". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Angels' Chris Devenski: Contract selected by LAA". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Angels' Chris Devenski: Activated, then DFA'd". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Rays' Chris Devenski: Signs with TB, away on bereavement". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  36. ↑ https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-devenski-rays-deal
  37. ↑ Landers, Chris (June 13, 2017). "Astros fans wear Devo hats for Chris Devenski against Rangers". MLB.com. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
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