Rafael Devers’ Giants attitude has come under scrutiny following his trade from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants on June 15. Though he pledged to embrace a new role with his new team, including playing first base, his recent actions suggest he is not fully committed to the transition.
Devers publicly expressed willingness to play anywhere the Giants needed, a stark contrast to his refusal in Boston to cover first base after teammate Triston Casas suffered a knee injury. This sudden change raised expectations that he would take a more flexible, team-first approach in San Francisco.
Ignoring Training Opportunity with Giants Legend
Despite working out at first base during his time with the Giants, Devers has yet to appear in that position during games. According to Boston Red Sox broadcaster Will Flemming, Devers missed a key practice session with Giants Hall of Famer Will Clark, one of the franchise’s most celebrated first basemen.
Flemming revealed on WEEI that Clark had offered to train Devers on ground balls during his second day with the team, but Devers did not attend. This reluctance to engage with a baseball legend suggests a troubling lack of seriousness from Devers about adjusting to his new role.
“I was there the second day. Will Clark was there to work on ground balls with him at first base, and Raffy didn’t show up,”
Flemming said.
“So that’s the person that (the Red Sox) have been dealing with for a long time.”
—Will Flemming, Boston Red Sox Radio Broadcaster
Past Patterns of Resistance to Guidance
Will Clark’s notable credentials include five consecutive All-Star selections and a Gold Glove during his tenure from 1986 to 1993, which underscores the value of his mentorship. Devers’ decision to skip training with Clark is reminiscent of previous reports about his disengagement.
David Ortiz, another Boston legend, has spoken about his efforts to reach out to Devers and offer guidance, only to receive little response. This pattern of ignoring veteran advice raises concerns about Devers’ willingness to grow and adapt, even when helpful resources are available.
Many within the baseball community have extended support to Devers, yet his inconsistent engagement signals a troubling trend that could impact his future performance and relationship with the Giants organization.
Implications for Devers and the Giants Moving Forward
Devers arrived in San Francisco with an apparent intent to reset his attitude, but Flemming’s account suggests his behavior has not changed. While he has verbally promised cooperation and adaptability, his actions reveal ongoing resistance to necessary adjustments, particularly in embracing a new defensive position.
This attitude could pose challenges for the Giants as they seek to integrate Devers into their roster effectively. Whether Devers will respond to increased expectations or continue to avoid mentorship opportunities remains to be seen, but the situation highlights tensions around his commitment to the team’s goals.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Rafael Devers a good hitter?
A. Devers ranks as one of the top batters among players with many game appearances before the age of 30.