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| Cole De Vries | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cole De Vries |
| Born | January 13, 1985 |
| Birth place | Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | May 5 |
| Debutyear | 2011 |
| Debutteam | Minnesota Twins |
| Finaldate | September 28 |
| Finalyear | 2013 |
| Finalteam | Minnesota Twins |
| Statleague | MLB |
| Stat1label | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value | 7–6 |
| Stat2label | Earned run average |
| Stat2value | 3.81 |
| Stat3label | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value | 87 |
| Teams | * Minnesota Twins (2011–2013) |
Cole De Vries Cole De Vries is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins from 2011 to 2013. A right-handed starter and reliever, he rose from college baseball at Creighton University to the Twins organization after being selected in the 2006 MLB Draft. De Vries' MLB tenure included both spot starts and long relief appearances, and he later transitioned into roles outside active playing.
De Vries was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota and grew up in the Twin Cities area, where he attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School and participated in local youth programs linked to USA Baseball and regional showcases. He played collegiately for the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha, Nebraska, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference and appearing in conference tournaments and NCAA Division I Baseball Championship regional play. During summers he pitched in the Cape Cod Baseball League for teams that have produced talent for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers, drawing scouting attention ahead of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. His collegiate mentors included coaches with ties to MLB scouting networks and to programs like Arizona State Sun Devils baseball and University of Texas baseball that routinely develop professional pitchers.
After being selected in the 2006 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, De Vries began his professional career in the Twins' minor league system, advancing through affiliates such as the Elizabethton Twins, Fort Myers Miracle, New Britain Rock Cats, and Rochester Red Wings. He faced opponents from organizations like the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Detroit Tigers in Minor League Baseball play, and worked with instructors who had previously coached for franchises including the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, and San Francisco Giants. He were part of rosters that included prospects later seen with teams like the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners. Over multiple seasons he experienced roster moves tied to the 40-man roster rules and Rule 5 draft considerations while following developmental programs influenced by Tom Kelly-era Twins philosophies and modern analytics adopted by clubs like the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays.
De Vries made his MLB debut on May 5, 2011, for the Minnesota Twins against teams such as the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, and Kansas City Royals during his time in the majors. He recorded wins and decisions while facing lineups from the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles, and he appeared in games that drew comparisons to Twins pitchers like Joe Mauer's teammates and predecessors such as Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano. De Vries contributed in both starting rotations and bullpen depth, working under managers from the Twins' era and alongside teammates who moved between franchises such as the Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays. Injuries and roster competition with pitchers linked to development pipelines at institutions like Vanderbilt Commodores baseball, TCU Horned Frogs, and Louisville Cardinals baseball influenced his MLB availability and role throughout the 2011–2013 seasons.
Scouts characterized De Vries as a right-handed pitcher who relied on a mix of a sinking fastball, a cutter, a changeup, and a curveball—similar pitch sets to those employed by contemporaries from programs like California Golden Bears baseball and UCLA Bruins baseball. Reports referenced comparisons to pitchers developed in systems such as the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres, noting command and ground-ball tendencies favored by analytics groups at organizations like the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics. His scouting grades were evaluated during preseason assessments conducted by outlets covering talent from the Cape Cod Baseball League and the College World Series, and his minor league metrics were reviewed alongside metrics from prospects in the Arizona Fall League and Pan American Games alumni. Coaches emphasized his ability to induce weak contact against hitters drafted out of Florida State Seminoles baseball and University of Miami baseball, while major league opponents included designated hitters and sluggers developed by LSU Tigers baseball and University of Southern California Trojans baseball.
After retiring from professional play, De Vries pursued opportunities outside active roster roles, aligning with former players who moved into coaching, scouting, broadcasting, or business ventures connected to sports organizations such as the Minnesota Wild and regional athletic programs. He maintained ties to Minnesota institutions including Hamline University and community outreach similar to initiatives run by the Minnesota Twins Community Relations office and charitable foundations like Major League Baseball Players Trust. Post-career activities reflected paths taken by alumni of the Creighton Bluejays and professionals who transitioned to roles associated with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum educational efforts, youth academies linked to Major League Baseball, and local Minnesota sports media covering the Metrodome era and Target Field.
De Vries' MLB tenure included notable personal milestones: earning major league victories, recording strikeouts against batters from franchises such as the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, and contributing to the Twins' pitching depth during rebuilding phases tied to front offices influenced by executives from the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox. His journey from the Cape Cod Baseball League and Creighton University to the majors is cited alongside other regional success stories from the Midwest and serves as an example for pitchers from Minnesota who aim for professional careers with teams including the Minnesota Twins and beyond. His statistical record is preserved in MLB archives and referenced in prospect retrospectives alongside players who emerged from the 2006 MLB Draft class and later worked in baseball operations, coaching, and community programs.
Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:Baseball players from Saint Paul, Minnesota