Devers likely in Pawtucket soon
Red Sox’ top prospect dominating Double-A; could fill third-base void
BOSTON — As the midseason honors keep piling up for Rafael Devers, the drumbeat only increases for the top position player prospect in the Red Sox farm system.
Devers, 20, has authored a magnificent season at DoubleA Portland with a .301 batting average, 16 home runs, 50 RBI and a .947 OPS heading into Friday’s action. A promotion seems inevitable.
Once the day comes when Eastern League pitchers will no longer have to fret over how to get Devers out, the odds are pretty good the Red Sox will transfer the third baseman to Pawtucket. Per an industry source, Boston learned a valuable lesson last season when Yoan Moncada went from Portland straight to the majors and was completely overmatched (12 strikeouts in 20 at-bats). A similar path will not await Devers, who won’t turn 21 until October 20.
When will Devers have a locker stall in the PawSox clubhouse? Per the same source, if not right after the Triple-A All-Star break, then shortly thereafter. Right now, the Red Sox are determining whether Pablo Sandoval or Jhonny Peralta can provide some sort of coverage at the hot corner, a position that’s been short on consistent defensive and offensive production this season.
For now, Sandoval and Peralta are PawSox teammates. The presence of both – Sandoval is on a rehab assignment while Peralta joined the PawSox earlier this week after signing a minor-league deal – means that Devers must hang
“He’s one of the best young prospects in all of minor-league baseball. To see his name on that [Futures Game] roster is not a complete surprise.” – John Farrell on Rafael Devers
in a little bit longer with the Sea Dogs even though it’s clear he’s nearly outgrown the Double-A ranks.
“As it relates to a young guy making his way, they’ll tell you when they’re ready for the next set of challenges. I would guess his time is coming for the next step,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said about Devers on Thursday. “In his mind, I think that time is getting closer.”
The clues that Devers is crying out for a fresh baseball address are omnipresent. In the span of two days earlier this week, he was selected to play in the Eastern League All-Star Game and the MLB Futures Game. On the same day Devers learned of his Eastern League nod, he went out and belted two home runs. He celebrated his selection to the Futures Game with two doubles in the same contest.
“He clearly showed tremendous bat potential. He’s got power to all fields and has really good bat speed,” Farrell said.
It sounds like the Red Sox want Devers to take his talents to South Beach and bask in the glow of his Futures Game recognition. The prospect-themed game will take place two days before the annual MLB All-Star Game in Miami, Florida.
“To have the opportunity to perform on that stage and in that setting, I think it goes a long way in helping to deal with some of the notoriety that’s going to continue to come his way,” Farrell said. “I know he has all the attention on him for all the obvious reasons. He’s one of the best young prospects in all of minor-league baseball. To see his name on that [Futures Game] roster is not a complete surprise.”
Farrell hasn’t seen Devers in-person since the end of spring training, where the promising youngster spent a good portion in Boston’s major-league camp as a non-roster invitee. Based on the stellar numbers he’s produced to date in Portland, it appears Devers absorbed plenty during his prolonged Grapefruit League stint.
“We saw a guy that, the deeper we went into camp and the more he was around our environment daily, I think he began to gain a little more comfort,” Farrell said. “It’s so much different when you’ve got a guy that comes over for a game from minor league camp to fill in and then the next year when they’re in major league camp as a full-time player … that takes on a greater significance.
“I think in Raffy’s case, I think there was a little – I don’t want to say anxiety – but there was some emotion because he was a 20-yearold kid in big league camp,” Farrell added. “The more he was around us, the more confidence he gained.”
At a time when there’s so much uncertainty surrounding Boston’s short-term solution at third base, the organization clearly views Devers as the position’s long-term answer. That’s why all signs point to him making his way to Pawtucket once the experiment involving Sandoval and Peralta runs its course.
“He’s a big kid and we know that, but he’s been solid at third base,” Farrell said. “Those who are able to play the position and produce offensively, those are unique guys. We’re certainly in no rush to move him off that position.”