Zeke DeVoss Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Ezekiel Mark DeVoss
Born 07/17/1990 in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Miami (FL)
Drafted in the 3rd round (98th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2011 (signed for $500,000).

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A somewhat polarizing player for scouts, DeVoss is an eligible sophomore who turned down a late-round offer from the Red Sox out of the 2009 draft. He was one of Miami's few impact offensive players in an up-and-down season, teaming with Nathan Melendres at the top of the lineup and setting the table ably, though his swing is inconsistent. He's not physical but is a good athlete who is less polished than the average college player in Florida. He's one of college baseball's faster runners, and his speed plays offensively. When he's going right he'll sting line drives to the gaps and put his speed to use on the basepaths. DeVoss played shortstop in high school and has shifted between left field and second base. He hasn't played center field much in deference to Melendres, making it difficult for scouts who think that's his best position. His speed and athleticism figure to make him the first Miami player off the board.

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Cubs officials joke that DeVoss became owner Tom Ricketts' favorite player after Ricketts watched him draw three walks and blow up the opposing catcher in a home-plate collision in an August game at Boise. The Red Sox made a run at DeVoss as a 38th-round pick out of high school in 2009, but he opted to attend Miami, then signed for $500,000 as a sophomore-eligible in the third round last summer. He has all the tools to be a leadoff hitter, most notably on-base ability and speed. He ranked fourth in NCAA Division I with 57 walks last spring, and he drew more free passes (33) than he had strikeouts (32) in his pro debut. A switchhitter, he's adept from both sides of the plate, though he won't hit for much power. He can run the 60-yard dash in 6.45 seconds and knows how to use his speed, swiping 16 bases in 20 tries as a pro. DeVoss split time between second base and the outfield with the Hurricanes, and Chicago deployed him mostly at second. He has the quickness for the position, and his hands and arm are good enough to keep him there, though he made 14 errors in 31 pro games. DeVoss has the wheels and instincts to handle center field if he can't cut it at second base. The Cubs aren't afraid to push players, so DeVoss could wind up in high Class A at some point in 2012.

One of several above-slot signings for the Cubs in the 2011 draft, DeVoss parlayed his extra leverage as a draft-eligible sophomore into a $500,000 bonus in the third round. He quickly won over Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, who attended a game in Boise and saw him draw three walks and obliterate the catcher in a play at the plate. A switch-hitter with patience and above-average speed, DeVoss profiles as a prototypical leadoff hitter. He has enough strength in his tightly wound frame to drive some balls into the gaps. He split time between second base and the outfield in college and in his pro debut, and he has the hands and enough arm strength to stay in the infield.