The summer whirlwind continues for Daniel Devonshire. Only 20 days after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, Devonshire is on his way to Florida to sign a contract.
“It’s pretty surreal at the moment,” said Devonshire. “I think it will kick in when I get down to Florida.”
Devonshire and Jays scout Jon Bunnell will be flying from Regina on Friday morning to Florida.
Although Devonshire only got to play in nine games this season for the Moose Jaw Miller Express, he enjoyed every minute of being in the Friendly City.
“I loved the town and the people, they were great,” he said. “I loved the people that were involved in the organization. It was a great time.
“I’ve never played on a team with such great chemistry. It was the toughest team to leave, even though we were only together for one month. We just seemed to click. I would have loved to stay, but I have to follow this dream.”
The Auckland, New Zealand native was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 37th round on June 8 and now the dream is becoming more of a reality for Devonshire.
“I came to North America with a dream to play professional baseball and that’s why I came here,” he stated. “I always thought that I would go to school and finish school and get my education, but when I got drafted, I thought that I was here for one reason and that’s to play ball.”
The 20-year-old catcher and first baseman was playing at Colby Community College in Kansas during the winter months before coming to Moose Jaw to play summer ball with the Express. He feels at his age he is now mature enough to be away from home and make this transition.
“I’m at that age that I’m old enough to give this a run and I thought I might as well sign and see what I got,” said Devonshire. “I’m mature enough to deal with everything.”
Jays scout Jon Bunnell was attending the Express game on Wednesday evening and saw Devonshire hit a home run and play behind the plate. He will be flying out with Devonshire in the morning and help with the process.
For more on this story, read an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
