The Red Sox are gearing up to begin their World Championship defense in 2019. A key to that World Series win was Rafael Devers, and he’s ready to do work this season.
Rafael Devers had a hell of a season in 2018 and gave Red Sox fans the world over something to be optimistic about. He’s another young product of the Boston farm system that will be a key to the future success of the club.
Devers showed zero signs of fear during the postseason and it allowed him to come through big when the lights were shining the brightest. The big knock against Rafael during the last season was his conditioning and endurance.
Devers made a few trips to the disabled list during 2018 and he attributes it to his body not being able to handle his weight. Devers is no Pablo Sandoval but he also wasn’t always in the best shape as he could’ve been for his first full season in the majors.
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Rafael has taken a challenge from the bosses upstairs to get himself into the best shape he can for the 2019 season so he can continue to be a key part of the squad. He’s gone out and hired a nutritionist to monitor and hone his diet to allow his body to recover from his workouts.
"“I feel healthy right now,” Devers said Saturday at the team’s annual Winter Weekend event. I think I’m in a good place. Last year, I had a lot of injuries and I think it was a product of the weight. Thankfully, I feel much better now and I’ve been focusing on it a lot more this offseason.”"
With Devers taking the necessary steps to get his body right for 2019, it could only mean good things for the young third baseman. Based on his performance last season I can’t imagine a scenario where Devers isn’t the favorite to be the starting third baseman in 2019. But if he wants to not only earn the job but keep it, he’ll have to continue to work hard this offseason.
Devers will have to compete against veteran teammate Eduardo Nunez for the job at the hot corner. Both had their ups and downs last season on the way to raising the Commissioner’s Trophy. Rafael has the advantage in the age department and now could get the physical edge as well.
"“He does an outstanding job in Spring Training of getting himself in shape,” Cora said in Las Vegas. “We don’t want him to do that. We want him to come in shape and just have a regular spring training, and hopefully that’s the case this year.”"
At the Winter Meetings, last month Red Sox Manager Alex Cora heaped praise onto his young star but also made sure to keep him in check. Cora would much rather Devers come into camp already in shape than needing to work even harder to get himself ready for the season.
Which makes total sense and seems ridiculously obvious. Spring Training is meant to be used for knocking the offseason rust off and get the team chemistry cooking. By coming into camp already in peak shape, Devers will be able to focus on his on-field work.
With the 2019 season right around the corner, Rafael Devers is getting himself ready to defend the World Series crown. By taking these steps early to get himself ready, Devers will guarantee he is a key member of the Red Sox success going forward. I’m excited to see the new and improved Rafael Devers in 2019.