Rafael Devers will officially begin his stint as a first baseman on Tuesday night for the San Francisco Giants. After being dealt from the Boston Red Sox in a major trade this past May, Devers is set to start at first base against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, marking his first defensive appearance of the season. Until now, Devers has only served as a designated hitter (DH) this year.
Background on Devers’ Positional Shift
Devers’ move to first base comes after a series of positional changes during his time with the Red Sox. Boston shifted Devers to DH after acquiring Alex Bregman, a change that Devers met with reluctance but accepted. The situation grew more complicated when Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury in April, prompting the Red Sox to ask Devers to work on playing first base. Devers declined the request, which team executives acknowledge influenced their decision to trade him.
Adjusting to the Demands of Playing First Base
Over the past several weeks, Devers has been training at first base despite limited prior experience. The role poses unique challenges, including mastering cutoff plays and defensive positioning. The first baseman handles more fielding chances than any other position aside from pitcher and catcher; this season, first basemen are encountering nearly twice as many plays as other positions. This increased workload will test Devers’ fielding skills extensively.
Game Day Context and Defensive Strategy
On Tuesday, right-handed pitcher Landen Roupp will start for the Giants. Roupp’s ground ball rate of 47.2%, which exceeds the league average, suggests Devers will see many ground balls to manage. In addition to fielding these hits himself, Devers will play a crucial role in receiving throws from other infielders. Depending on the game situation, the Giants might substitute Dominic Smith late in the game to strengthen defense at first base.
Performance and Team Outlook Since the Trade
At 28 years old, Devers’ recent offensive numbers have dipped since joining the Giants. He is currently batting .219 with a .333 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage, having hit two home runs in 29 games. This contrasts with his previous performance for Boston, where he posted a .272/.401/.504 slash line with 15 homers in 73 games. Since the trade, the Giants’ record has been 11-18, while the Red Sox have improved to 17-12.
Devers’ Readiness and Commitment to New Role
Addressing his new position, Devers expressed his willingness to adapt to the team’s needs. During his introductory press event with the Giants, he stated,
“I am here to play wherever they want me to play,”
signaling a readiness to embrace his new defensive responsibilities and contribute wherever possible.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Rafael Devers a good hitter?
A. Before turning 30, Devers has proven to be one of the top batters. He’s in the same league as legendary players like Al Kaline and Dave Winfield.
Q. Is Rafael Devers elite?
A. Last week, Rafael Devers was recognized for his outstanding performance in batting. Despite the ongoing drama, his achievements did not go unnoticed.
Q. What does Rafael Devers chew?
A. Rafael Devers does not use chewing tobacco. The swelling in his cheek during games results from gum and sunflower seeds, not tobacco. MLB rules state that players who started after 2016 cannot use tobacco during games. Devers began playing in 2017.