Boston Red Sox spring training worry list of players to watch
By Rick McNair
What’s not to like about Rafael Devers? Well, for me it is just what Devers does in the field. Devers’ fielding competency has followed him through the system and questions regarding his ability became evident with Boston. The Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) of -3.5 may not appear that horrendous, but 14 errors in just 507.2 innings at third is unacceptable.
Devers is approaching Butch Hobson territory with errors and they come in all shapes and sizes from errant throws to kicking a routine grounder, but the youngster is also capable of making excellent plays and decisions. Devers has never avoided putting in the effort and this spring with more tutelage progress may be forthcoming. His glove work is on my watch list.
Where Devers will make his mark is with that thunderous bat and the lefty hitter whacked .400 against southpaws in a small sample in 2017. Devers’ calling card will be the line drive. Expect home runs and extra base hits this spring and hopefully, it will segue into the regular season, but for me, the concentration will be on his glovework.