Boston Red Sox players who should be 2019 MLB All-Stars
By Sean Penney
Rafael Devers
The 22-year old is having a breakout season that should put him in line for his first All-Star appearance.
Rafael Devers is third in the league and tops at his position with a .322 batting average and he’s on pace to set career-highs with 12 home runs and 49 RBI at the midpoint of the season.
Houston’s Alex Bregman is the right choice to start at third base but Devers is right behind him in most offensive categories. He trails only Bregman at the position with 49 RBI, a .373 OBP and a .381 wOBA. Devers leads AL third basemen with 100 hits and 23 doubles.
His 2.9 WAR places Devers behind Bregman and Oakland’s Matt Chapman, although the latter’s value is tied primarily to his glove. Players may put more emphasis on defensive value than the fans do and Chapman’s 19 home runs will garner him some attention.
Devers has been the better hitter but his power was slow to develop this season and his defense remains a work in progress. If the AL brings a trio of third baseman with them to Cleveland then Devers should be a lock. If they can pick only one backup to Bregman then it’ll be a tight contest between Devers and Chapman.