Rafael Devers Consolidates as Designated Hitter and Leads the Red Sox to Victory
Rafael Devers has found his place as a designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox, making it clear that he has no intention of changing his position on the team.
Devers hit his first walk-off home run on Saturday night, leading off the bottom of the ninth inning with a solo shot against Pierce Johnson, leading the Red Sox to a come-from-behind 7-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves and snapping a four-game losing streak.
“Obviously, I’m very excited about the type of game,” Devers said through a team interpreter. “That we can come back and win this type of game means a lot. And also, to get the team going so that everyone gets excited.”
Rafael Devers
After expressing his preference not to play first base, Red Sox owner John Henry traveled to share his opinions with the player.
Henry, along with team president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, met with Devers and manager Alex Cora on May 9 in Kansas City.
After a slow start to the season, Devers has proven his worth with the bat. He has reached base in 19 of his last 20 games, batting .397 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in that period.
“I feel very comfortable right now,” Devers stated. “I have my routine and I go out every day to do it to prepare myself, and I feel very comfortable as a designated hitter.”
Rafael Devers
Cora commented: “He’s been hitting well, taking his walks. That first weekend, whoever has an explanation for what happened there, call me and explain it to me, because it was hard to watch, and then it just changed. He’s been very good.”
The Red Sox tried to convince Devers to move to first base after starting first baseman Triston Casas missed the season due to left knee surgery.
“He has his routine well established,” Cora said. “He cares about us, he cares about the team, and he wants to win. Right now, as I said before, he’s our designated hitter and he’s done an outstanding job. … He’s probably the best designated hitter in the American League right now.”
