David Ortiz sees no protection for Rafael Devers in Red Sox lineup
Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz has some concern for Rafael Devers in 2023
Remember all those years David Ortiz was a beast in the middle of the Boston Red Sox batting order?
Well, that clutch factor that makes him the legend that he is wouldn’t have been as magical and dominant if he didn’t have players like Manny Ramirez protecting him in the lineup. What that means is it was harder for opposing pitchers to pitch around him with a prolific hitter behind him.
Though that wasn’t always the case every season with the Red Sox, Ortiz recognizes a potential concern when it comes to Rafael Devers. Big contract and all, Devers is entering a season for the first time with no proven bats surrounding him. He always had the likes of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez.
Who will protect Rafael Devers in the Boston Red Sox lineup?
Well, they are all gone and as a young slugger Ortiz wonder what or who will prevent pitchers from pitching around him. While there is potential in players like Triston Cases and newcomer Adam Duvall, there is no lethal hitter behind Devers as the lineup looks right now.
That is where Ortiz is offering some concern because it could lead to some frustration for the young slugger.
"“If I’m facing him I’m pitching around him, regardless,” Ortiz said during an appearance on WEEI at Winter Weekend. “No doubt about it. You’re talking about one of the most feared hitters in baseball right now. I have been there before, and if I had no one behind me they won’t pitch to me. You know that. Now you have to find a way who can consistently protect him so he can continue to keep seeing pitches. Because he is still too young and you don’t want to get to the point where you get frustrated because your production is not quite there. You have to see both sides. You have to see if they are pitching you and you are missing pitches, or if they are not pitching you and you are chasing pitches. So, we’ll see. Let’s see what the season brings to the table.”"
As a feared hitter himself, it’s a frustration David Ortiz has gone through himself, particularly back in 2014 when he voiced his concerns about that lineup. But the Red Sox legend was an established star at that point and someone who wasn’t afraid to speak out. Is Devers a player who will speak out? At this point in his career, he is focused on still improving his own game, but what Big Papi is saying is that the player on deck can help with that.
Again, there is hope with Casas, Duvall and Justin Turner to be that type of player. Hopefully, one of them will step up because the talent and ability to do so is there with each of those players.
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In conclusion, where will the source of power come from other than Devers? That will be one of the biggest questions in 2023. That will be the difference between Devers having a monster year or playing through a season of frustration.