Rafael Devers will be featured prominently in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. The Red Sox third baseman is batting third for the American League.
Though Devers typically hits second — where the analytics say teams should slot their best hitter — there’s still cache that comes along with hitting third. Devers certainly deserves it.
He’s slashing .324/.379/.601 with 22 home runs and 55 RBI this season. Devers leads the league with 112 hits.
His value has been on full display over the last week, as he’s been the only reliable contributor in Boston’s lineup. Devers has five home runs and a 1.190 OPS over his last eight games against the Yankees and Rays.
ESPN’s Buster Olney relayed some dispiriting news about Devers Friday on WEEI’s Red Sox pregame show, saying he doesn’t think the team is prepared to extend themselves for the young slugger’s services.
Last week, Ortiz made a plea for the Red Sox to retain Devers and Xander Bogaerts, who will also represent the Red Sox in the Midsummer Classic, along with J.D. Martinez.
“They are the best players that can represent the Red Sox, better than anybody else, as of right now. We need to lock them in. We need to lock them in,” Ortiz said on “The Bradfo Sho.”
Devers will be able to show off for the baseball world Tuesday night.
