Rafael Devers has started the season horribly, to say the least. He is hitless in his first 19 at-bats with an abysmal 15 strikeouts.
The longer this streak continues, the more worrisome it gets. One former general manager, Jim Bowden, provided four reasons why Devers could be struggling on the “Foul Territory” podcast.
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 13: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox in the field against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Fenway Park on June 13, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Signing Alex Bregman
The Boston Red Sox were rumored to be interested in Bregman from the early stages of the offseason. Devers certainly knew it was a possibility for the Red Sox to bring in Bregman, but the latter was projected to play second base.
“During that whole process (free agency), they kept saying ‘Perhaps Bregman would play second base,'” said Bowden. “The Red Sox never came out and ‘Well, if we sign Bregman we’re going to move Devers to DH.’ … They signed Bregman and then they tried to deal with it, so they mishandled it.”
Not Everyone Can Be the Designated Hitter
It takes time to settle into the rhythm of being a DH. Players get one at-bat every two innings, sometimes every three innings. There’s a lot of sitting around and watching that players aren’t used to after spending so much time in the field.
“Not everyone can DH,” said Bowden. “There are so many hitters that just can’t DH. The way it was handled and him having to mentally adjust to the DH spot has been huge.”
Devers Doesn’t Seem to be Healthy
Devers missed some time at the start of spring training with his shoulder injuries. He avoided surgery in the offseason, and the Red Sox took it slow with him in Florida. Devers saw just 14 at-bats in Grapefruit League play.
“Now, physically, I don’t think his shoulders are healthy,” said Bowden. “And I know they can’t be healthy because if they were, we would’ve seen him at the beginning of spring training.”
Devers is Overweight
Bowden isn’t the only person to criticize Devers’ weight. Former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon echoed similar sentiments except Papelbon was much more harsh with his choice of words. Devers is currently just five pounds heavier than legendary Red Sox DH David Ortiz, but Bowden believes it’s still an issue.
“You don’t have to be a genius to look at the video of a year ago and look at him now,” said Bowden. “If you’re the Red Sox, we know those four issues are there. You gotta fix it. You gotta give him love, and you gotta get him with nutritionists. You gotta get him with the medical people. You gotta get him with the training people. You gotta find ways to get him back to Rafael Devers at the plate.”
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