The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HE’S one of the latest Bahamians to sign his name on the dotted line for a professional baseball contract. But Trent Deveaux said he’s looking forward to following in the footsteps of his uncle, the late Wentie Ford, in becoming one of the next Bahamian Major League players.

Deveaux, 16, signed a deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and is currently training in the Dominican Republic with Nogae Sports Nation Academy in preparation for his rookie debut this year.

Home on a short break, Deveaux said he’s eager to return to the Dominican Republic on Friday where he spent the past six months to continue his training before the Angels open up their facility on April 5.

“I want to be ahead of everyone when they open,” said Deveaux in an interview with The Tribune. “I don’t want to be just getting back into the flow, so I will be down there for a few weeks before I come back home.”

Having spent a few months already in the Dominican Republic training, Deveaux said the Angels have him on a three-year plan to break into the major leagues, but he’s aiming to do it in about two years.

“I have some numbers in my head, so I have my mind focused on that,” he insisted. “If I do anything less, I will be a little disappointed. I have high expectations for myself.”

It won’t be until July before Deveaux gets assigned to his first minor league team, but the 6-foot, 3-inch, 175-pound centre fielder said he’s anticipating a great run on the professional circuit wherever he ends up.

The former Freedom Farm and Junior Baseball League of Nassau player, who showed a lot of versatility playing soccer, running track and participating in karate, said he’s excited about his rise to the pro ranks.

“I’m in the baseball mecca in the Dominican Republic where all of the superstars come out,” Deveaux said.  “I had to learn to speak the language because no one speaks English.

“At the Nogae Sports National Academy, we work on all aspects of the game, so when I go back, I will be working more on my speed, my arm and my conditioning so that I can improve on all aspects of my game.”

During his recent trip to the Dominican Republic, Deveaux said he was informed by the international scout that the only ways to get to the majors is to run, hit and play defence on the field.

“So I’m focusing on making it to the major league, but right now this is just a stepping stone,” he stated. “This is a small step into the door. I have a bigger picture ahead of me to accomplish.”

Deveaux, the son of Louis and Terry-Ann Cecile Deveaux, is just one of the few Bahamians playing in the pipeline in the majors and he’s excited about the future ahead for the Bahamas.

“We’re putting the Bahamas on the map,” he insisted. “When I go different places, not too many people know about the Bahamas. Now we are getting a chance to make the Bahamas known everywhere. We’re getting a chance to shine for the Bahamas.

“We can go into the remote areas from a humble start and go out there and do something big for the Bahamas playing baseball. So this is a great and happy feeling for me and the other players.

The irony of it is that the other players are in pursuit of the same goal, which is to get to the major league. So Deveaux said they are trying to push each other and help them along the way because when they get into the system, the people there are not trying to push them especially if they don’t know you.

“You might think they are your friends, but they really are not,” he pointed out.

“They want you to fail so they can succeed in what we call a jungle where everybody is trying to get out, but you can’t trust no one.

“You can trust them to a certain extent, but you can’t trust them much. I’m coping. I can tell who are the jealous ones and who are not. I almost missed practice one day because of one of them.”

In the Dominican Republic, Deveaux is a part of an Angels organisation that has about 15 players trying out for the outfield. He’s hoping that by the time he gets to Arizona, he will be assigned to a great team in his debut in either A or AA ball.

“Going to the Dominican Republic from the Bahamas has been a big transition,” said Deveaux, who got to share his expertise to a number of youngsters here during his brief return home. “Hopefully, I can continue to adapt to the new environment.”

Deveaux, a student of Leadership Academy, attended various schools addressing them and he participated in the Mario Ford Baseball Camp on Saturday.

“It was so good to have him at the camp,” camp coordinator Mario Ford said. “He was able to share so much with the youngsters. I just wish him every success when he goes back to the Dominican Republic.”