Boston Red Sox: Is Rafael Devers the answer at third base?
The Boston Red Sox have struggled at third base in 2017. Could a Rafael Devers call up be the answer to their problems on the hot corner?
Rafael Devers is the Boston Red Sox top prospect, and with a hot start to the year in Portland, he could be the answer to Boston’s third base problems.
At just 20 years old, the Red Sox are taking their time to develop Devers. He spent all of the 2015 season in Greenville, and all of 2016 in Salem. Now, he’s playing Double-A ball for the Portland Seadogs.
Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski doesn’t seem too anxious to call up Devers and expedite his timeline to the majors.
"“We like him a lot. He’s having a great season. [But] he’s in Double-A at 20 years old right now. We’re happy where he is right now.”"
Boston is struggling from the third base position this year. Pablo Sandoval is out with an injury. No one knows exactly when or if he will return in 2017. Brock Holt is also unavailable, and Josh Rutledge just isn’t producing.
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In Portland, Rafael Devers is on fire. He’s hitting .333 with 5 home runs and 20 RBI through 20 games. His manager on the Seadogs, Carlos Febles, has high praise for Devers.
"“You’re talking about a guy who can one-hand it and hit it out the other way. It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen something like it. He’s strong. The ability to put the ball in play [is similar to Xander Bogaerts], but this guy has more power — way more power. You’re talking about David Ortiz type of power.”"
Anytime you’re compared to Big Papi, you must be doing something right. Devers will have to work to cut down on his strikeouts, but he seems to have done just that over the last few weeks. It’s possible to move up to Boston at a young age as Andrew Benintendi did from Double-A last season, and like Xander Bogaerts did as a 20-year-old prospect, but that may not be the path that Devers is on.
For now, the Red Sox will likely wait on Rafael Devers first appearance in the majors. He should spend some time with Pawtucket, and could be an August or September call up for the big club.
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The future looks bright in Boston as the young outfield will hopefully stay intact, with Bogaerts and Devers one day on the left side of the infield and Christian Vazquez behind the plate. The Red Sox lost some prospects in recent deals, but they still have plenty to contend in the AL East for years to come.