Brett DeVall
| IP | 170 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.918 |
| WHIP | 1.365 |
| BB/9 | 2.329 |
| SO/9 | 6.3 |
- Full name Brett A. DeVall
- Born 01/08/1990 in Niceville, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: L
- School Niceville
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Drafted in the C-A round (40th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2008 (signed for $1,000,000).
View Draft Report
From Florida, a Team USA Junior Olympic team alum and a participant in the East Cobb League, Devall has been on the scouting radar for a long time. DeVall was an Aflac All-American in the fall and has distinguished himself this spring as the top pure high school lefthander in this draft. DeVall, at 6-foot-4, has the ideal pitcher's build and has an advanced understanding of how to pitch. His delivery and arm action are sound as he repeats his mechanics, leading to his plus command of three pitches. The velocity on his fastball typically stays between 88-89 mph but can touch the low 90s. His curveball has the makings of an average pitch at the very least and his changeup is advanced for a high school pitcher. While he has feel for each of his three pitches, none of them is presently labeled as an out pitch. DeVall is projected as a third or fourth starter at the big league level. With the development of a plus breaking ball or an increase in velocity on his fastball, DeVall could be a No. 2 guy in a major league rotation. He is committed to play baseball for Georgia.
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When he has taken the mound, DeVall leaves no doubt as to why the Braves made him their top pick (40th overall) and handed him a $1 million bonus in 2008. Unfortunately, a lingering forearm ailment and an elbow strain have limited him to 63 pro innings. He opened 2009 in extended spring training before reporting to Rome in early May. He gave up a total of 10 earned runs in his first eight starts, then 11 in his next two before he was shut down until instructional league. DeVall felt strong and pain-free in the fall, but there's still concern that surgery may be in his future. He does have a clean delivery and good mechanics, which makes his arm problems puzzling. When healthy, DeVall has an 88-91 mph fastball that features good movement when he keeps it down in the zone. He's also developing a solid curveball and showing good feel for his changeup. His advanced knowledge of pitching helps him set up hitters, but the key is going to be whether he'll be available to pitch every fifth day. If he's 100 percent physically, he should open next season in high Class A. -
DeVall was the first pick by the Braves and the second high school lefthander taken in the 2008 draft, going 40th overall and turning down a Georgia scholarship to sign for $1 million. He wound up pitching just 10 innings in his pro debut while battling forearm tenderness. Known for his pitchability, he put himself on the Braves' radar by pitching in the suburban Atlanta East Cobb League as well as for the U.S. national youth team. DeVall has excellent size, good mechanics and the ability to throw three pitches for strikes. His fastball resides at 88-91 mph and has good movement when he keeps it down. His curveball shows the promise of being a plus pitch but is still slurvy at this point. He entered pro ball with a well-developed changeup for a high school pitcher, and he should be able to develop it into a plus offering. DeVall doesn't have a true out pitch, but he has a strong foundation and a projectable body. His knowledge of how to set up hitters is advanced, which should make honing his secondary pitches somewhat easier. He'll get strong consideration for making the Rome rotation during spring training.
