Red Sox player bold prediction 2021: Rafael Devers becomes a superstar

Rafael Devers has shown greatness in the past for the Boston Red Sox. 2021 should be his year.

When you look at the 2021 Boston Red Sox team, you have a lot of new names who are expected to take on major roles for the team.

But when you look closer, the lineup has three of their major bats of the past few seasons return and should be expected to push the Red Sox forward when it comes to offense. Perhaps the biggest question mark of the three is Rafael Devers.

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Devers has been a player that has shown signs of pure greatness but has also been one of great inconsistency. Whether it be on defense or offense, Devers has shown that he can be one of the best at the hot corner but sometimes seems as though he cannot get out of his own way.

The 24-year-old has a major season ahead of him in 2021 because as one of the main players of the team, he is expected to take on the role of the Red Sox superstar.

In 2019, Devers hit .311 with career-highs in home runs and RBI with 32 and 115 respectively. He led the majors in doubles with 54 and 359 total bases on offense. Both incredible feats for the young third baseman who was always expected to be a star.

However, in the shortened 2020 season, Devers struggled at times and seemingly regressed in someways.

His batting average was not what it was, going to .263 while his OPS sat at .793 — down over 100 points. Devers’ defense seemingly regressed as well, which was rather worrisome for all those who hoped the improvement would be there.

And so far through Spring Training this year, it has been more of the same.

What Rafael Devers needs to do for the Boston Red Sox in 2021.

That being said, 2021 is back to being a full MLB season, and that means it is time for Devers to put it all together once and for all. It’s not necessarily a make or break season for the stud that is Devers, but it’s time for him to either establish himself as one of the league’s elite or just as a good baseball player. Expect him to not only be elite but finally be the superstar his potential has shown he can be.

Home runs and RBIs are always a good barometer as to how good a player can be. Devers is a player who has hit a lot of doubles because he simply hits the ball on a line to the point it doesn’t always go over the wall. Expect him to be around the 30 spot when it comes to his home runs, even though the idea of getting to 40 isn’t something crazy to think about.

It’s not a failed season by any means if Devers doesn’t hit the 100-plateau when it comes to RBIs either, as he should be expected to be around 90 as one of the middle of the lineup guys for the Red Sox.

The third baseman is going to be a run producer this season and 100 is very possible, but 90 is more believable considering how different his numbers are in the past three seasons.

The OPS for Devers is going to be what really dictates his season. Can the slugger take more walks while also continuing to smash the ball around the ballpark to get on base? One would have to think so.

He should get back to the .800 to .850 plateau easy with a great season getting him back to .900. Devers’ stardom is all about the bat and this is the season to show consistency, furthering him into the superstar role.

Defense is always going to be a question mark for Devers, but with the return of Alex Cora as the manager of the Red Sox, he should be locked in for some improvement.

And that’s really why he should be in for improvement through his overall game. His relationship with Cora should go a long way and that’s what makes for an exciting possible season for Devers.

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He has all the tools to be great for the Boston Red Sox. And this season, you should expect Devers to finally put it all together.

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