A few months after the Boston Red Sox first broached the prospect with him, Rafael Devers is set to make his debut at first base. When Bob Melvin unveiled his lineup for the San Francisco Giants game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, it featured Devers’ name next to “1B” for the first time in the slugger’s career.
Devers, a lifelong third baseman, was moved off the position this offseason when the Red Sox acquired a reigning Gold Glover at the position, Alex Bregman. Boston moved Devers to designated
hitter full time, but when Triston Casas suffered a severe injury, they asked Devers to try on a first base mitt. Having reportedly been told that he would not be playing in the field that year, Devers was peeved by the request, and ultimately rejected it, which appeared to be the beginning of the end of that marriage — the star was traded to the Giants a few weeks later.
It became immediately clear that Devers was not averse to playing at first base, he just wanted an open line of communication and adequate time to prepare for a position he had never played in his life. He started taking grounders and working with coaches almost immediately upon his arrival, though minor injuries to his groin an back slowed things down a bit.
But he’s apparently up to speed enough now that both he and the Giants are ready to put him in the field. And so, in his 30th game with the Giants and his 103rd game of the season, Devers will don a glove for the first time this year, playing first and batting third. Wilmer Flores, who played first in last night’s game, will take Devers’ spot at DH.
The move gives the Giants more flexibility, as they can now cycle whomever they want through the DH spot. It will also hopefully take more stress off of Wilmer Flores, who was hitting much better earlier in the season when he didn’t have to play as much defense. And there’s plenty of reason to think that it will aid the team’s defense, as well: even though Devers wasn’t a particularly good defensive third baseman, it’s probably safe to assume that anyone who survived the hot corner can look good at the easier corner.
San Francisco might be playing atrocious baseball right now, but at least now there’s a reason to watch the game tonight!
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