Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School announced Devin Anderson as its next varsity head baseball coach Tuesday in Middleton.
Anderson, 40, played 11 years of professional baseball after being selected in the 28th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves.
Following a stellar preps career at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Anderson was drafted by Atlanta and spent the next four seasons playing across their farm system. The left-handed pitcher then went on to play seven years professionally in the Frontier League and the American Association of Professional Baseball, respectively, before retiring from pro ball just a little over a decade ago.
"We're very excited to have Coach Devin Anderson join our Buffalo family as our next head baseball coach," said VHS athletic director Richard Pettus. "Coach Anderson's résumé, along with his tenure in the Braves' organization, will bring a new dimension to our program."
Since his competitive retirement, Anderson has served in numerous roles around the sport of baseball throughout the Central Florida area. Most recently, he has served as a head coach with the Scorpions Baseball Club in Orlando and as pitching coach at Montverde Academy.
"I'm super excited for the opportunity," Anderson said. "With my background, obviously I've been fortunate to be around some really good teams and really good people. I really can't wait to get in there and put my stamp on the program, and lead them in the right direction."
Anderson takes over the head coaching position from Alex Menendez, who went 32-27 over the past two seasons. The Buffalo finished with a 17-12 record last spring, before eventually being eliminated from the postseason in the regional semifinals at Merritt Island.
"The team that I will send out on the field to represent not only myself, but The Villages, is one that does things the right way," Anderson said. "Not only on the baseball field, but in the community and the classroom, as well. Baseball will come to an end for everyone at some point, and I just want to make sure we're turning them into great young men while they're in our program."
Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment at cody.hills@tvcs.org or by calling (352) 259-6890.
