MACK - Let’s Get To Know – RHP Chris Devenski

 

MACK - Let’s Get To Know – RHP Chris Devenski

Chris Devenski (RHP, nickname “Devo” or “Devo the Dragon”) is a 35-year-old right-handed relief pitcher (born November 13, 1990, in Cerritos, California; 6'3", ~208 lbs).

He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 25th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Cal State Fullerton (after time at Golden West College). He debuted with the Houston Astros in 2016 and has since pitched for the Astros (2016–2020), Arizona Diamondbacks (2021–2022), Philadelphia Phillies (2022), Los Angeles Angels (2023), Tampa Bay Rays (2023–2024), New York Mets (2025), and Pittsburgh Pirates (2026). He is a 2017 All-Star and World Series champion with the Astros, and he took part in a combined no-hitter in 2019.

Through early 2026: 27–22 record, 3.93 ERA, 432 strikeouts in 419 innings over 319 appearances (mostly relief; only 8 starts), 1.13 WHIP. His peak came early—2.16 ERA in 108.1 IP as a rookie in 2016 and strong multi-inning relief work (including an All-Star nod) in 2017. Performance has been more uneven since elbow issues around 2020; he has posted a higher ERA in recent seasons while bouncing between organizations as a journeyman.

In 2026 with the Pirates, he appeared in just 3 games (2.1 IP, 7.71 ERA) before an illness landed him on the IL (later 60-day). He was activated, outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis, and elected free agency in early August 2026. He had solid minor-league numbers earlier in the year.

Pitch Repertoire

Devenski has long relied on a changeup-heavy approach paired with a four-seam fastball. The changeup (often called a “circle of death” style) has been his signature out-pitch, featuring good sink/fade, deception, and historically high whiff rates. It plays off the fastball’s velocity differential (typically ~10–12 mph gap).Recent usage and velocities (primarily 2025–2026 data from Statcast/Brooks Baseball; small 2026 sample):

Changeup: Primary pitch (~38–47% usage). Sits ~82–83 mph, with armside fade and downward dive. Generates fly balls and remains his key weapon.

Four-seam fastball: ~21–39% usage. Sits ~92–94 mph (peaked higher earlier in his career, up to upper-90s in relief). Average-ish ride/run; more of a fly-ball pitch.

Sweeper/Slider: Secondary breaking ball (~10–21% in recent years). Around 78–81 mph.

Other pitches: Occasional sinker (~92–93 mph), cutter (~85–89 mph), and rare curve (~79 mph). He has mixed these more in some seasons but leans heavily on the changeup/fastball core.

Historically (peak 2016–2017), he threw the changeup at very high rates for a reliever (often 40%+), with the fastball and a slider/curve mix. Command has generally been solid (career ~6.8% walk rate), and he profiles as a multi-inning or matchup-oriented reliever rather than a pure power arm. Effectiveness has fluctuated with velocity, movement consistency, and location of the changeup.

Overall, Devenski is a veteran changeup specialist who had standout early success as a versatile Astros reliever/swingman and has continued as organizational depth across multiple clubs.