LA Angels Top 25 Prospects: #22 Trent Deveaux

The LA Angels have had a difficult time with international scouting in decades past. Things have been changed considerably for the organization lately, and with the recent string of international prospect signings it looks like the Angels ship is being righted in more than one way.

One of the more exciting prospects in the LA Angels system is Trent Deveaux, the highly advanced 18-year-old prospect from the Bahamas. There’s a lot that can be said about a prospect who immediately maxes out his one of his scouting grades from Day One. Trent Deveuax is that kind of prospect, him being a 2017 signing with the LA Angels out of the Bahamas. His speed has been graded as a pure 80 on the prospect grading scale of 20-80 and he’s only 18. It’s incredibly rare for a prospect to rate at a max upon their first year, let alone rate at a max at such a young age. Not only does he display top-level speed, he projects with the possibility of above-average power. The stock continues to soar for the would be star out of Nassau, Bahamas.

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#22 Trent Deveaux (OF’er)

Signed in 2017 out of Nassau, Bahamas

Bats/Throws: R/R

Deveaux is considered to be one of the most “tooled-up” prospects within the Angels system, meaning that he carries the five tools (Power, Speed, Fielding, Contact, Arm Strength) at a considerable level. Scouts rank him next to the Angels top prospect Jo Adell regarding the high level of his athleticism, which says a lot about the young prospect. Deveaux may be a few steps behind Adell, but his stock looks to have as high a ceiling. It’s really just a matter of how far his development can take him because the tools all exist. One exciting factor that lends confidence to his future ceiling is advanced mental state for being as young as he is.

While spending time in the Dominican Republic, Deveaux picked up a strong knowledge of the Spanish language. He’s clearly in possession of an advanced mental fortitude which will take his development to the next level. He’s already ahead of the curve with his respectable level of strike-zone control at his age, all that’s needed is a continuation of his strong understanding of the game and refinement of his already solid skills. He has a good handle on his strike-zone and he’s already keen on barreling weak pitches and his current ability to stay within himself will allow him to blaze through his own development.

Of course there are the basics he has to work out, such as his need to cut the fat from his swing, but that’s really the biggest need for him at this point. His hitting tools are advanced for his age, so one he gets that swing really locked down everything else will fall into place very smoothly. One other aspect of his game that will take time is his power stroke, as it usually is with young hitters. With his plus bat speed he is already ahead of the curve. Once Deveaux is able to tap into his natural strength he can easily develop into an average power hitter at worst.

His defensive skills look to be elite which isn’t really a surprise given his advanced state of his speed. He can range on a ball like no other in the outfield, especially when pressured in the gaps. He always seems to take the smoothest routes to flyballs as if he was naturally in tune with its trajectory. Again, all Deveaux needs is the time to continue developing his already advanced skillset. Given enough time and proper development, Deveaux can easily be a center-piece for the Angels big league club in the near future.

Developmental Needs: Refined Swing, Consistent Contact, Pitch Recognition

Best Tools: Speed, Fielding Ability, Mental Maturity

MLB Estimation: 2022