Joey Devine Stats & Scouting Report

IP	88
ERA	2.761
WHIP	1.25
BB/9	4.909
SO/9	9.102

Full name Joseph N. Devine
Born 09/19/1983 in Junction City, KS
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School North Carolina State
Debut 08/20/2005
Drafted in the 1st round (27th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2005 (signed for $1,300,000).

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Devine has been one of college baseball's success stories the last three years. Lightly recruited, he was expected to be a two-way player for the Wolfpack before developing into one of the nation's elite closers as a freshman. Working with weights caused him to drop his arm angle below three-quarters, and his stuff took off. Forearm tendinitis affected him in the summer of 2003 and contributed to his erratic 2004 performance, but he still became North Carolina State's all-time saves leader as a sophomore and was impressive in the summer with Team USA, pitching as a set-up man. Devine, whose brother Matt is the Wolfpack's starting third baseman, has dominated as a junior and is one of the closest players to the majors in this year's draft. He has plenty of stuff, starting with a mid-90s fastball that touches 97, and throws it from a funky arm angle--not quite sidearm but lower than three-quarters. His frisbee slider, thrown in the mid-80s, is death to righthanded hitters, whom he dominates. Scouts like Devine's competitiveness, makeup and athletic ability, which allows him to repeat his unorthodox delivery. He may need a changeup or split-finger pitch, though, to better attack lefthanded hitters in pro ball.

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Devine returned to the mechanics he employed while at North Carolina State and re-emerged as a potential set-up man or closer at the major league level in 2007. Rushed to the big leagues by the Braves less than three months after going 27th overall in the 2005 draft, he gave up grand slams in his first two appearances and a Division Series-ending home run to Chris Burke. His confidence took a hit, and he also battled a lingering back injury in 2006. He found a comfort zone with his old delivery in spring training last year and the result was his best season yet, including a couple of trips to Atlanta and a 1.89 ERA and 20 saves in the minors. He also contributed mightily to Richmond's Governors' Cup title by saving four postseason games in as many opportunities. Devine's success is centered on a sinking fastball that sits in the low 90s and can touch 96. He also has a hard slider that he throws from a three-quarters angle and can be unhittable for righthanders. He owns righties, holding them to a .154 average in the minors last year while fanning 62 of the 127 he faced. Lefthanders, however, hit .267 against him because he has had limited success in developing a changeup. He has the resiliency and makeup to pitch at the end of games in the majors. With Rafael Soriano expected to become Atlanta's closer, Devine will be a strong candidate for a set-up role with the Braves this spring.
Devine has endured a bumpy road since the Braves drafted him 27th overall in 2005. Pushed to Atlanta less than three months after signing, he became the first big leaguer to give up grand slams in his first two appearances, and he also served up an 18th-inning, Division Series-ending homer to Chris Burke. In 2006, a degenerative disc in his lower back sidelined him for most of the first half. Devine's main pitch is a sinker that sits at 92-94 mph and can touch 97. He also has a sidearm slider that starts out behind righthanders before cutting across the strike zone. He has excellent athleticism and the makeup to close games. Devine's ailing back caused his mechanics to become shaky, although Mississippi pitching coach Kent Willis helped correct some flaws in August. His inconsistent delivery has led to problems with his command, which must improve in order for him to succeed in the late innings. The addition of a consistent changeup would help him against lefthanders. Devine broke camp with Atlanta in 2006 and will have the opportunity to do so again in 2007. He could emerge as a closer down the road, but Bob Wickman will open 2007 in that role.
Devine set a North Carolina State career record for saves. After signing for $1.3 million as the 27th overall pick, he became the first member of the 2005 draft class to reach the majors. The first pitcher in big league history to surrender grand slams in each of his first two appearances, Devine also served up the 18th-inning homer to Chris Burke that ended the National League Division Series. An excellent athlete, Devine has a 92-97 mph fastball and a mid-80s Frisbee slider. His pitches are difficult to pick up from his low three-quarters arm slot. The Braves love his makeup and the way he handled adversity in the majors. His low arm slot can leave him susceptible to lefthanders (who hit .312 against him in the minors), so Devine may have to develop a changeup. His control wasn't as sharp at higher levels. Devine probably needs a little more time in the minors. Before too long, he should figure into the back of Atlanta's bullpen.