By Tom Luicci
ScarletKnights.com

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers baseball coach Joe Litterio had barely finished making the request two years ago for someone on his team to volunteer as the backup catcher when R.J. Devish's hand shot up.

Never mind that Devish -- a freshman at the time -- had never played the position before, or that he really didn't know the first thing about catching.

Devish, an infielder for as long as he can remember, saw an opportunity to get on the field and decided to run with it.

"I don't think I'd ever gotten behind the plate before in my life before that -- not in Little League, middle school, high school or whatever level I played growing up. It was always middle infield, sometimes outfield. I also pitched a little," Devish said. "I just volunteered. I just reacted. I figured I'm an athlete, I can adjust. My freshman year we had senior starting at catcher (Jeff Melillo) so I thought that would be the easiest way on the field."

As Rutgers continues its push this weekend to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament with a three-game series against Minnesota that starts on Friday at Bainton Field, Devish, a junior, is now solidly entrenched at catcher for the Scarlet Knights (3-3 in conference play). He is on the watch list for the Johnny Bench Award, presented annually to the top catcher in the nation.

Devish's work ethic has made the transition easier than anyone could have expected, especially Litterio.

"Every year, from his first year to now, he has improved," Litterio said. "He was never really taught the catching position growing up. (Assistant coach) Tim Reilly is our catching guy and he's a great catching guy, and to be able to learn from him was very helpful. And R.J. is a sponge."

Devish said he never truly appreciated what the catching position entailed until he started doing it, and he definitely had no clue how demanding it was both mentally and physically.

"Shortstop is really an easygoing position compared to catching. I never really appreciated the catching position. Now I definitely do," said the 5-11, 175-pounder from Beachwood, N.J., a product of the powerhouse Toms River South High School baseball program. "It's tough on you physically and really takes a toll, especially on the body and the knees in particular. It takes time to get used to it.

"There is so much more that goes into the position that people don't realize. Calling the game is definitely a challenge. But it's also being aware in every situation of where everyone is and where they should be. You're basically the quarterback of the defense. That's the toughest part, keeping your head on a swivel, always being aware."

Devish really had no time to ease into his new position, since his first college start at catcher came in March of 2013 -- against then-No. 4-ranked Louisville on the road. Rutgers wound up winning that game.

After hitting .274 last season while make 31 starts (29 at catcher, two at third base), Devish has become a polished defensive catcher -- he is ranked No. 29 nationally in caught stealing percentage at 34.6 -- though his batting average has suffered as a result. Heading into the series with Minnesota he is hitting just .211.

But he is certain that will change.

"I think catching has affected my hitting a little," he said. "The toll it takes on your body really affects you some times. When I started catching my freshman year I put all of my effort into catching and I didn't really worry about hitting. Now that I'm starting to get everything together at the catching position I can get back to really working on hitting again."

Now that he has gotten to know Devish, Litterio said he isn't surprised the junior was the one to volunteer to provide the catching help he needed two years ago.

"That's his personality," said Litterio. "He saw his opportunity to get on the field faster and he's done a great job for us. He's a very tough kid who doesn't know the word stop, and that's the mentality it takes to be a catcher, especially at this level with the toll it's going to take on your body every day."