Rafael Devers continues to be ‘inconsistent’ in the field this season, surpasses fielding errors total from 2022
Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is coming off signing a massive contract in the offseason, one that’ll keep him in Boston through the 2033. Offensively, Devers has been solid this season, his hitting .266 with 27 homers and 83 RBI with a .851 OPS.
Defensively, he’s been ugly on the hot corner making 15 errors in 113 games.
The Sox third baseman has been rough, he owns a negative -5 defensive runs saves which is ninth-worst at his position. Devers is also ranked in the fourth percentile in OAA this season, per Statcast.
The 26-year-old made a costly error in the fourth inning of Friday’s game at Yankee Stadium. The 15 errors this season surpasses the 14 he made during the 2022 season.
Alex Cora was not shy from telling reporters that Devers has been inconsistent at third base this season, following the Red Sox 8-3 win in the Bronx on Friday night.
“He’s been inconsistent,” Cora said. “It seems like when we have a man at third and the infield is in, he has made a lot of errors in that situation. I talked to him about it yesterday. It really doesn’t matter if you look at the runner. You have to make sure you get it first and then whatever decision you make, you make. It’s not a wrong decision. If you feel like the guy’s gonna be safe at the plate, then you get the guy at first. On those plays, it has been inconsistent.”
While Cora hammered home the fact he’s slugger has been “inconsistent” in the field, he did praise Devers on his ability to come in on grounders.
“This year, he has been really good charging the baseball,” Cora said. “He has made some plays the last 10 days that have been great. It’s a matter of keep working with him.”
As Devers begins to age, there’s a strong chance he will be moved off third base. With Triston Casas locked in at first base, the only logical spot would be to have Devers be the designated hitter while mixing in time at third base and even first base. He could take a similar path to Justin Turner, with the exception of playing some second base.
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He is a great player. He is human. Let’s not be so negative.
Anytime an error is made when playing the Yankees it’s worse than versus the other 28 teams.