BOSTON -- Cam Devanney was driving home Friday night when he got a call from Triple-A Indianapolis manager Shawn Bowman. He was heading to Boston to join the Pirates.
The conversation was brief. A quick “you’re going up, congratulations” before Devanney turned the car around. Usually there is a little more fanfare before a player gets called up for their potential Major League debut.
In fairness, it’s not the first time Devanney had taken that call.
Devanney had his contract selected by the Royals on July 8 and was with the Major League team, but he did not appear in a game before being traded to the Pirates on July 16 for Adam Frazier. The Pirates optioned him back to the Minors after the trade, so he never had his debut.
“I think that’s part of the job,” Devanney said ahead of Pittsburgh’s 10-3 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. “You always have to be ready for whatever they throw at you. You just have to take it one day at a time.”
Starting Saturday, he’s getting a second chance to make a first impression. The Pirates recalled the infielder after utilityman Ronny Simon was placed on the 10-day injured list with a dislocated left shoulder.
And while the wait was longer than expected, the prospect of debuting at Fenway Park is a pretty good consolation for the New Hampshire kid.
“This is as cool as it gets for me, man,” Devanney said. “I’ve been watching Red Sox games since I was 5 years old. Just really cool. I can’t think of a better way to hopefully kick off my career.”
Where he kicks it off is yet to be seen. The 28-year-old, who didn’t make an appearance in Saturday’s win, bounced around the infield with Indianapolis, playing shortstop, third and second, and he has also taken reps at first base and the outfield in recent years.
“He’s been able to play all over, multiple positions,” interim manager Don Kelly said. “Does a nice job at third and short, and has mixed in at second and the outfield, as well. He’s shown some pop at Triple-A, too.”
That pop is maybe the most intriguing part of the scouting report on Devanney. He’s slashed .266/.353/.493 with 20 home runs and a 10.1% walk rate across the Pirates’ and Royals’ top affiliates. His 89.3 mph average exit velocity is a very healthy clip, and he’s cut his ground-ball percentage by 10 points this year, dropping from 43.5% to 33.6%.
“I think this was the first year I’ve really put it together with the bat in terms of just being really consistent,” Devanney said. “Hoping to continue that here.”
That performance earned him the nickname “Bam Bam Cam,” bestowed on him by an Omaha Storm Chaser superfan named Stirrup Stan while he was in the Royals’ farm system.
“He would get the crowd chanting it,” Devanney said with a grin. “It was very much a real thing.”
The Pirates could definitely use some more pop, especially from the left side of the infield. Ke’Bryan Hayes was dealt just before the Trade Deadline and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is due to hit free agency this offseason (he’s also on outright waivers at the moment, but will remain with the team unless somebody claims him). The left side of the infield is likely going to look different than last year, so this final month of the season could be an audition for Devanney to be in the mix for the team’s 2026 roster.
Time will tell if he is part of those plans, and when he will no longer be a baseball bridesmaid and instead officially become a big leaguer. The one thing we know now is that it was no coincidence that he was the return for Frazier.
“Even when I spoke to [assistant general manager] Scott Sharp with the Royals when I was getting traded, he told me they were pretty adamant about getting me,” Devanney said. “That’s obviously really nice to hear. Like I said, I’m really excited to get the opportunity.”