Rafael Devers

Position: 3B
Level: High A
Affiliate: Salem Red Sox
League:
Age: 19
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 195
B/T: Left / Right
Acquired: Signed as international free agent August 9, 2013 (BOS)

Prospect Spotlight

The Potential Tools: 60 hit, 60 power, 60 arm, 50 glove

Strengths: Strength in core; strong wrists and forearms; plus bat speed with natural lift; easy stroke; innate feel for contact and excellent barrel control; can barrel velocity; quality pitch ID skills; plus-plus raw power; ability to lift the ball to all fields; lets power come naturally through bat speed, lift and strength; average lateral agility; average reads and reactions; glove has shown improvements; plus arm strength; present average run; sneaky athleticism.

Weaknesses: Body could get soft and high maintenance going forward; future defensive home in question; move to first base could put added pressure on bat; run will be below average as body matures; aggressive approach has led to strikeouts; length in swing makes it difficult to consistent hit velocity on inner half; one full season in pros; no upper-minors experience.

Role Ceiling: 60; first-division regular at third base; potential all-star.

Risk: High; limited pro experience; could be high maintenance.

Summary: When watching Greenville’s BP, what stood out most was Devers’ power. With plus bat speed and a natural leveraged swing, Devers has feel for barreling pitches everywhere and with power. He has plus-plus raw power, and as he improves his approach and pitch selection, he’ll be able to utilize that game power to plus. Devers’ defensive home is still in question but over the last year, he showed softer hands and more lateral agility along with above-average reads and reactions, leading some to believe he could stick at third base in the future. If Devers can stick at third and reach his ceiling at the plate, especially in the power department, he could become a cornerstone of the Red Sox franchise.