Rafael Devers’ first seven games with the Giants featured a slight glimpse into his ceiling as an offensive contributor who could heavily impact San Francisco’s middle of the order for several years to come. He can certainly hit, that’s for sure.
And he’ll soon be tested defensively for the first time this season.
Devers could make his long-awaited and well-anticipated professional debut as a first baseman as soon as the Giants’ next road trip, Giants manager Bob Melvin revealed Wednesday on Willard & Dibs.
“I think we’re getting pretty close,” Melvin said. “It’s certainly not going to be today or tomorrow, but maybe at some point on this next road trip.”
Melvin said the team is waiting for Devers, who has been dealing with minor groin discomfort, to be “100 percent” before they throw him into the fire at a position he’s never played before. The next road trip will take them through Chicago, Arizona and West Sacramento before returning home on July 7.
Since being traded from the Red Sox to San Francisco on June 15, Devers has appeared in seven games for the Giants — all as a designated hitter. He spent his first eight MLB seasons as Boston’s third baseman, but a turbulent offseason, highlighted by the signing of Alex Bregman and a breakdown in communication with the front office, derailed any plans to shift him to first base.
It’s been drama-free with the Giants, though.
“I’m here to help the team with whatever they need and whatever they want,” Devers said during his introductory press conference on June 17. “I’m just another member of the team, and I’m going to be willing to give my 100 percent wherever they put me. I don’t have any ‘buts.’ I don’t really have a say. They’re my bosses, so I’m going to play wherever they put me.”
He’s been taking grounders at first every game since joining the team — albeit, slow since his groin issues have flared up — and the Giants are hopeful the transition will be a seamless one that will free up at-bats the designated hitter spot for Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith, or anyone Melvin wants to get off their feet for a breather.
“[Devers] gets along with everybody,” Melvin said. “There’s a smile on his face … What he does is he hits and he drives in runs and he does a lot of damage and that’s what we’re looking for.”
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