The Astros have set the industry standard on developing pitchers. Just looking at the current starting staff – Valdez, Brown, Javier, France, Blanco, Bielak plus Urquidy, Garcia and McCullers – all of them were drafted or signed and developed by the Astros. In the 2022 draft, the Astros went heavy on pitching in the first 10 rounds to continue this trend of developing pitchers. In the 5th round, the Astros selected Nolan DeVos out of Davidson.
DeVos was a walk-on at Davidson but it didn’t take him long to prove he belonged on the team. As a freshman he struck out 10 over 10.1 innings with a 2.61 ERA. In his sophomore season he became the team’s closer and posted a 1.48 ERA with 39 K in 30.1 innings while picking up 8 saves.
Following his sophomore season, DeVos played in the Coastal Plain League, a high level collegiate summer league. While facing some tough competition, DeVos absolutely dominated. The right-hander struck out 18 over 7.2 innings and didn’t allow an earned run. That level of domination just gave him added confidence.
“I saw some velo (velocity) go up that summer. I was still closing at that time so just confidence wise I knew I could play with some of the better talent in the area,” DeVos said.
Though he was a starter in high school, DeVos didn’t get the chance to start right away in college. For some, this could be very difficult. For DeVos, he took the bullpen role and flourished.
“In high school I was always a starter, then I got to Davidson and we had three really good guys on the weekend so it was kind of like, find some innings somewhere else,” DeVos said. “My freshman year I was kind of just a late inning bullpen guy, maybe 7th-8th inning, set up for our closer. Then my sophomore year I won the job so I was closing games and we were off to a really hot start so it was nice, and then started losing more games, season goes on and you don’t throw as much,” DeVos added.
Despite excelling in the closer role, going into his junior season DeVos made a change to be a starter for Davidson. “Part of it was we had some guys get hurt and graduate so some spots opened up and I thought I could help the team out better in a starting role and throwing more innings as opposed to 1-2 times on a weekend,” DeVos said.
But that wasn’t the only factor that went into the decision. DeVos knew that if he really wanted to boost his draft stock, starting would be the best option for him. “Then also draft wise, everybody says a starter over a reliever. So that was part of it. Just being able to help the team out the best I could and I like to throw a lot,” DeVos added.
The Astros employ a piggy-back system in the minor leagues. Basically it’s throwing two starters a game, but one will come out of the bullpen. The starter will usually go 4-5 innings and if everything goes well, the next pitcher will pitch the last 4-5 innings. So, pitchers in the Astros system have to get used to starting and pitching in relief.
“It’s nice because I got to do both before I got here. I think that’s definitely helped me with the routine in the bullpen,” DeVos said. “Kind of treat it the same way as if I’m going to start the game. I do throwing before but then go to the bullpen and take two innings, collect your thoughts, focus and re-group and then get into the starting routine again. It’s definitely easier knowing that I’ve done both before,” DeVos added.
DeVos has been a heavy fastball pitcher, in the mold of some of the other arms that come through the system. His fastball is hard to pickup and difficult to hit. It’s not all about the velocity either, the vertical approach angle and extension play into that. But DeVos has developed into more than just a fastball pitcher.
“I’ve always really liked my fastball, I think it’s my best pitch. I get a lot of ride on it, a lot of hop so generally top of the zone is going to play really well,” DeVos said. “I kind of changed my slider a little bit from college coming into spring training this year. Trying to get a little more of a sweeper, a little more sweep on it basically. But its been nice working with the coaches… I’ve been able to throw it harder and get more movement,” DeVos added.
DeVos hasn’t stopped at the fastball and slider, knowing he will need more pitches to be successful long term. “Curveball is pretty much the same. The changeup.. been developing that along the way. Didn’t throw it much in college, so it was kind of trying to find the right grip and right now I got one I like. So starting to work that in more and more,” DeVos said.
DeVos has seen some increase in velocity this year too. Last year in college, his fastball was around 90 MPH. This year, he is around 91-92 on average and he has touched 95 MPH. This is something he wants to continue to build on. “Working through some delivery stuff trying to stay on time and be in zone more is the big thing that my goal this year,” DeVos said.
Some pitchers might try to nibble at guys, maybe work around some hitters. DeVos comes right after hitters in an aggressive style of pitching. “Definitely in high school and college it was kind of always strike as many guys out as I can. Less guys on base, less balls in play is generally going to be a good thing,” DeVos said about his pitching style. “So I kind of took that in with Fayetteville attacking guys early on and trying to get ahead as early as you can, whether that’s the fastball, slider, curveball, whatever it is. More guys you strike out, the less base runners on base,” DeVos added.
And the strikeout numbers have been impressive. In 59.2 innings this season, the right-hander has struck out 82 batters. Good for 12.4 strikeouts per 9 innings.
The aggressive pitching style is one that DeVos has seen guys like Scherzer and Verlander pitch with, and something he likes to emulate. “You know I take it personal (when) a guy gets on base on a walk or hit,” DeVos said. “But just watching him in some of those bigger games, go after every guy and throw every pitch with everything you got. You want to empty the tank at the end of the day. Watching Verlander last year, especially in the post-season and some of those bullpen guys, its pretty cool to watch that,” DeVos added.
DeVos is listed at 6’0″ and 185 lbs, which some think may be on the smaller side for a starter, though he has added weight. While that could be true, it doesn’t affect him one bit.
“I’ve got a really good vertical approach angle and so that, paired with extension and all the factors that go into a fastball. All those things definitely play into it. I think being a little shorter than the normal pitcher does too,” DeVos said. “I’ve put on probably 20+ pounds since being here. It’s got me listed at like 185 but I’m more like 215. But yea, there was always something about my fastball early on, I didn’t really know what it was, but it was always missing bats and all the Astros guys here helped me figure out why that is,” DeVos added.
Following in the footsteps of other stud pitchers in the system, especially the likes of Cristian Javier who also has an unhittable fastball, DeVos could be another one in the long line of major league caliber arms drafted/signed and developed in the Astros organization.
Be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, follow me on Instagram, @AstrosFuture and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
