Columbus North graduate and Omaha Storm Chasers second baseman Devin Mann connects with a pitch during a game this season.
Submitted photo
INDIANAPOLIS — Through more than 20 years of youth, high school, college and professional baseball, Devin Mann never had played at Victory Field.
Until this week.
So when the 2015 Columbus North graduate took the field for the Omaha Storm Chasers on Monday night against the Indianapolis Indians, he made up for lost time. He clubbed a 394-foot home run in his first game at the downtown Indianapolis venue.
“It’s always cool when you get to hit home runs, especially when you have some family in town,” Mann said prior to Thursday’s doubleheader. “It makes it a little sweeter to get to do it in your hometown. It’s pretty special. I grew up coming to this field all the time for Kids Days and stuff like that, so it’s cool to be on the other side of the fence and get to play on the field.”
Mann and the Storm Chasers are in Indianapolis through the weekend. They play at 7:05 p.m. Friday, 6:35 p.m. Saturday and 1:35 p.m. Sunday.
Plenty of family and friends have been there to see Mann play on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The teams were off on Tuesday.
“We’ve had a few people come in and out,” Mann said. “We’ll have a small group each one of the games. It’s definitely nice to feel the support from everybody and get to see some old faces that I haven’t seen in awhile. It’s a fun time.”
Columbus North graduate Devin Mann rounds third base after a home run for the Omaha Storm Chasers during a game this season.
Submitted photo
Mann, who was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Kansas City Royals at last year’s Aug. 1 trade deadline, is enjoying a second consecutive productive season. After posting a .276 batting average with career-bests of 20 home runs, 86 RBIs and 86 runs scored between Oklahoma City — the Dodgers’ Triple-A team — and Omaha — the Royals’ Triple-A squad — he has hit .313 with five homers, 25 RBIs and 26 runs this season through Thursday.
“I’ve been pretty pleased with it,” Mann said. “I think there’s a lot of room for improvement, like there is for everything, but I’ve been pleased with how everything has gone so far. I’m just going to keep working hard and see where it takes me.
“It’s hard to beat the numbers I had last year, but as a whole, I’m just trying to keep progressing and doing things well and be able to see at the end of the year kind of where you’re at,” he added. “But I feel pretty good with where I’m at this year, and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
Columbus North graduate and Omaha Storm Chasers second baseman Devin Mann looks to turn a double play during a game this season.
Submitted photo
After playing all of the infield positions, plus left field, in his first few seasons in the minors, Mann has been settling in at second base for the Storm Chasers this season.
“I feel pretty comfortable at second,” Mann said. “It’s kind of where I grew up playing most of the time, so it’s been nice to transition over there and get some more reps there. It’s going pretty good so far.”
Mann has treated the local fans to a show the past few nights. Besides the home run on Monday, he had a two-run double on Wednesday and singled in his first two at bats of Thursday’s first game.
Columbus North graduate Devin Mann chats with an Omaha Storm Chasers teammate in the dugout during a game this season.
Submitted photo
Since Mann is not on the Royals’ 40-man roster, he may be at a little disadvantage in hopes for a call-up to the big leagues since major league teams can easily move players on the 40-man roster back-and-forth between the majors and minors.
“I feel like the opportunities are still there,” Mann said. “A lot of it just comes down to who’s playing well and waiting for that time and waiting for that opportunity to come. If I stay on the course I’m on now and keep working, everything else will work out.”
Mann, 27, is expecting at least one big event next year. During the offseason, he became engaged to Natalie Rumoro, a Chicago native who he met while he was at University of Louisville. They are planning to get married sometime in 2025.
“We have a little ways to go when it comes to planning and stuff like that, but it’s been nice to get rolling and start planning wedding stuff,” Mann said. “It’s definitely a cool journey. It’s a cool part of life that your entering. For as stressful as ball can be, sometimes it’s nice to have her around and keep a little bit of sanity.”
