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Boston Red Sox: Three up, three down after month of April

By Josh Greenberg

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 14: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox and J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after crossing home plate in the bottom of the eighth inning of the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 14: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox and J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after crossing home plate in the bottom of the eighth inning of the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 18: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 18: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Rafael Devers entered the season with a lot to prove. The star prospect, touted primarily for his prowess with the lumber, hit just .240 in his rookie season, though he showed improvement at the plate and in the field as the season wore on.

Over the offseason, much was made about Devers’ new approach. He supposedly had embraced what his coaches were preaching and was committed to a more patient approach at the plate. Last season, Devers racked up 121 strikeouts against just 38 walks. Clearly, something had to change if he wanted to avoid becoming the next Chris Davis.

So far, all the work seems to be paying off. After little more than one month, Devers has already drawn 15 walks; only Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts have walked more. He’s also struck out just 21 times, which is good for third-fewest among the regular starters.

Waiting for his pitch, as opposed to just wildly swinging away as he did so often last year, has helped in other areas as well. Devers’ .294 batting average is the second-highest average among the starters, and he’s hitting .435 over the past week. Only J.D. Martinez and Betts own higher averages. Devers is also getting on base at a healthy .381 clip, which would be almost 100 points higher than his 2018 OBP is the season ended today.

Rather unexpectedly, he’s become a weapon on the base paths, too. Devers has already swiped four bags; in 2018, he stole a total of five. In short, he’s improved every facet of his offensive game.

Devers still has some things to work on, of course. He has yet to hit a home run, though those will come as the weather warms up, and his fielding remains an adventure at best. The young third baseman has already committed nine errors, which puts him on pace to top his total from last season by early July. His defense has always been the questionable part of Devers’ game, though he can make some spectacular plays. If he can find just a bit more comfort at the hot corner and maintain his good hitting, he’ll more than live up to the hype he came up with.

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