DeVos Closes the Way He Knows How
Justin Parker
2/7/2024
Before he was a Davidson weekend starter or a Houston Astros draft pick, Nolan DeVos was a closer.
With the game on the line, the right-hander just found ways to finish the job. Of course, his fiery competitiveness and electric pitching arsenal certainly helped.
As Davidson’s primary reliever in 2021, DeVos led the Atlantic 10 Conference with eight saves, posted a team-best 1.48 ERA and routinely put games away.
Sometimes, recording the final few outs and shutting the door can prove quite challenging, but DeVos thrived in the late-inning, pressurized role. He was energetic and effective and did what needed to be done.
From nearby Harrisburg, DeVos was selected by Houston in the fifth round of the 2022 draft after his junior season, opening a door to the future. There was a process to it all, as more and more scouts took notice of his skill and potential, but it all also unfolded really quickly. And suddenly, DeVos had another avenue he could take.
Being drafted in the early rounds is like being offered a job in any field prior to graduation; the employer just wants you to start immediately. The deal made sense, so DeVos embarked on his pro career with high hopes and a few credits shy of a Davidson degree.
In two pro seasons, DeVos has worked on his mechanics and strength, tweaked his slider into more of a sweeper and adjusted to more of a splitter grip on his changeup. He’s had positive results while wearing uniforms with in-state Astros affiliates in Fayetteville and Asheville, and he’s continued to learn the ins and outs of the pro game.
Away from the stadium lights, he’s also completed his Davidson coursework.
Five classes from earning his Davidson degree when he was drafted, DeVos wrapped up his academic requirements in the fall. He finished the job.
I took my final exam on that Friday morning," said DeVos. “When I walked out of there, I felt a lot of relief and a lot of pride. It felt really good.
After taking two online classes in the 2022 fall, DeVos finished in-person in his final semester. He needed one more class for his economics degree and also took two philosophy classes. As the end of the baseball season coincided with the start of the semester, it required some late-night and early-morning travel to make things work. When the Asheville Tourists returned from playing their last series of the season in Rome, Ga., DeVos quickly packed up his locker and set his sights on Davidson for the rest of the fall.
“Nolan was driving five hours roundtrip on his off days during his season to be in class,” said Davidson coach Rucker Taylor. “Once his season ended, he was on campus every day, working and also training for baseball. He put a lot of effort into his last two semesters. It’s wonderful he and the college collaborated to finish up.”
While pitching at Davidson, DeVos was twice an Atlantic 10 Conference First Team pick. In 2022, when the Wildcats won a program-best 43 games, he was the team’s Friday starter and went 9-2. He led the A-10 with a 2.40 ERA, 106 strikeouts and 12.13 strikeouts per nine innings.
In two pro seasons, DeVos has put up similar numbers. He is 8-4 with a 3.03 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 113.0 innings. He’s appeared in 31 games, starting 17, and has held opposing hitters to a .217 average. Another impressive stat: he’s signed more than 7,000 of his Panini baseball cards.
DeVos spent the first month of his pro career in the Florida Complex League, then ended the 2022 summer with the Low-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the Carolina League. He also pitched 52.1 innings with Fayetteville last summer, including a memorable outing at Kannapolis on May 29. DeVos was in true form against the Cannon Ballers, tossing three scoreless and hitless innings in front of a few hundred friends and family members not far from his childhood home.
“Kannapolis … that was pretty cool,” said DeVos. “That was probably my favorite outing ever.”
Not long after that, DeVos was promoted to High-A Asheville of the South Atlantic League, where he made 12 appearances and closed the 2023 season. (It's possible he'll start 2024 in Asheville, but that will be determined in spring training. DeVos is already in preseason camp).
Playing in his home state has been beneficial in many ways, including in completing his degree.
“There’s only so many teams that have local affiliates, so it was really fortunate for me,” he said. “I knew with being in Fayetteville and Asheville, I was close by and could make that drive.”
On the afternoon of Jan. 18, DeVos was surprised by a graduation ceremony in the players’ lounge of the Coach Cooke Clubhouse at Wilson Field. His parents, Dan and Aimee, put together the celebration and were joined by other family members and friends. Former Wildcats (and fellow pros) Ryan Wilson and Will Schomberg were there, as was college president Doug Hicks and director of athletics Chris Clunie. DeVos was given a cap and gown to wear, and a family friend played “Pomp and Circumstance” on his phone as DeVos walked around and greeted everyone. Hugs and pictures were in high-demand.
“It was very cool, and I’m grateful they had that,” said DeVos. “In the event I can’t walk (at spring graduation), that’ll do for me.”
And just like that, DeVos had closed out another win at Wilson.
