Rafael Devers Will Have New Role Going Foward
With cornerstone Xander Bogaerts‘ departure in free agency this offseason, the Red Sox have a new face of their franchise. That face belongs to third baseman Rafael Devers. At just 26 years old, Devers has established himself as one of the best young players in Major League Baseball, and he is now poised to take on a larger role with the Red Sox.
Devers’ Big Shoes to Fill
Xander Bogaerts was an integral part of the Red Sox for a decade, and it will be hard to replace him. He was not only a key component of their offense but also served as a leader in the clubhouse. His presence will certainly be missed, but Rafael Devers is already proving he has what it takes to take over as the team’s leader.
He’s been vocal about his expectations for himself and the team and has stepped up when times have been tough. This season, Devers will have more responsibility than ever before—and he seems ready for it.
Elite Production Always Helps
Raffy has been a godsend for the franchise since breaking into major league baseball in 2017. His offensive numbers have been steady over the past few seasons and have shown improvement on both sides of the ball. He has been named an All-Star the past two seasons, in 2021 hitting .279/.352/.538 with 38 home runs and 110 RBIs.
On top of this, Devers has shown remarkable resilience throughout his career. In 2022, after suffering a series of injuries and slumps throughout the season, he worked hard to get back on the field and compete even though the team was in last place and out of contention.
I love this kind of team-first attitude he showed because he didn’t want to let the club down. You want those types of players on your roster year in and year out.
The Future of Leadership For The Red Sox
Being a leader in baseball means more than simply outshining the competition on the field. It entails providing direction and guidance on and off the field for your teammates, especially younger players without much experience.
That includes leading by example, holding themselves accountable, and helping others stay focused during critical situations through positive reinforcement. The Red Sox’s commitment to Rafael Devers isn’t just about money; it’s about establishing him as a leader within Boston’s organization for years to come – even if it’s only leading by example.
As one of their longest-tenured players (yes, really), Devers will be relied upon heavily to provide veteran support while setting an example for the younger players. His ability to achieve this will undoubtedly be one of his greatest assets going forward, one that will help propel the team into its next successful era.
Living Up To The Contract
The 11-year, 331 million-dollar extension Raffy signed in January not only shows confidence from within the organization but also sets a high bar for Devers. He enters next season with even more pressure on him to consistently perform at an elite level throughout his entire contract.
Of course, there will be some growing pains along the way; after all, he is only 26 years old and still developing as a player. But even with these inevitable challenges ahead of him, there is no doubt that Devers has the potential to be one of baseball’s biggest stars for years to come. His ability to stay healthy will be key; if he can remain injury free, he could become a top 5 Red Sox player of all time.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Rafael Devers’ role with the Boston Red Sox will take on a greater responsibility now that Xander Bogaerts is gone. Despite all the pressure, it seems Devers is up for the challenge and ready to step into a leadership position with the team.
His work ethic and commitment to constantly improve will be vital as he looks to fill the void left by Xander. As we look ahead to 2023, there’s no arguing that Rafael Devers has big shoes to fill, but if past performance indicates what’s to come, then Red Sox Nation should rest assured knowing this young man gives it his all and is here to stay.
