Columbus North graduate Devin Mann bats for the Oklahoma City Dodgers on opening night this spring.
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma City Dodgers
If Devin Mann was with almost any other Major League Baseball organization, there’s a good chance he would have been called up to the big leagues by now.
As it is, however, the 2015 Columbus North graduate is with the talent-rich Los Angeles Dodgers organization. So even though he’s put together a strong first half of the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Mann has had to wait his turn.
“I love my chances,” Mann said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot. I feel like I’ve put myself in an advantageous position to get called up this year. Obviously, it’s tough with the Dodgers. There’s a lot of up-and-down, and we have a lot of really good players. That’s something that’s really fun to be a part of. I obviously hope that I get that opportunity soon to play with them, or if it ends up being with another team, I definitely feel like I’ve earned that opportunity to get a shot in the MLB.”
The 26-year-old Mann is in his second year in Triple-A, the level just below the majors. It’s his fifth year overall in the minors — not counting the 2020 season that was canceled because of the COVID pandemic — and he’s having by far his best season as a pro.
“It’s been good,” Mann said. “I’ve been really pleased with they way everything’s been happening right now. The work in the offseason has kind of paid off. We made some good changes. I’m just excited for the second half to keep on going and see how we can end up.”
Columbus North graduate Devin Mann bats for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Eddie Kelly | Pro Look Photos
Among those changes has been a more aggressive approach to his swing. As a result, Mann has hit 13 home runs, just three shy of his total for the entire 2022 season.
Mann is batting .314 — 50 points higher than last year — and has eclipsed last season’s totals with 62 RBIs and 31 doubles. He has a .409 on-base percentage and .572 slugging percentage for a .981 OPS (on base-plus slugging), all career-bests since becoming a pro.
“I feel like I’m seeing the ball pretty well,” Mann said. “I’m trying to take the governor off this year, being a lot more aggressive, taking more chances. My strikeouts have been up a little bit, but (power) numbers-wise, they’ve been a lot better, so I’m pretty pleased with that.”
Columbus North graduate Devin Mann walks down the tunnel to the field for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Eddie Kelly | Pro Look Photos
Like the major leagues, Triple-A is on its All-Star break this week. Mann was in position to make the Triple-A All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, but that game hasn’t been contested since the pandemic, and plans to bring it back this year never came to fruition.
“I’d like to think I would have had a good shot at being on there,” Mann said. “It would have been a cool experience, something to look forward to. I’d liked to have been on it if they’d had one, but it’s also cool to come spend time with family.”
The former University of Louisville standout flew to Louisville on Monday, then drove Tuesday morning to Tennessee, where his family has a place at Norris Lake. Today, he flies to to Sacramento, where Oklahoma City begins the second half of the season on Friday.
Columbus North graduate Devin Mann makes a play at third base for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma City Dodgers
Although he has played mostly third base this season, Mann also has played, second base, first base, shortstop and left and right field. He hopes that versatility, along with his consistent hitting, will eventually lead to a spot in the major leagues.
“I think just keep doing what I’m doing right now,” Mann said. “Nothing crazy, just stay consistent with the routine of things I’ve built now. That’s all you can do — just trust it and keep finishing strong.”
Columbus North graduate Devin Mann is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Eddie Kelly | Pro Look Photos
