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Post by larrycook on Jul 22, 2017 20:02:38 GMT -5
Is devers future at first base?
I think bogey might be better suited for third base.
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Post by telson13 on Jul 22, 2017 22:56:47 GMT -5
Is devers future at first base? I think bogey might be better suited for third base. No. At least not near future. Devers has plenty (*plenty*) of arm for third, and soft hands with adequate current range. He charges well, too. No sense in reducing his value by moving him off 3b, or Bogaerts's value by moving him off SS. Those are moves you make way down the road when forced to, not pre-emptively. That would also render Travis redundant and create a SS hole where they have a 3-4 WAR player. Resounding "no."
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Post by thelavarnwayguy on Jul 23, 2017 14:12:58 GMT -5
Defense really, really matters. People need to absorb that. Bringing the guy up for the bat and ignoring the glove is a mistake. If the team needs a regular third baseman, he needs to play third base, not just spend some time there, but possess it. Is Devers ready for that? Agreed, and I genuinely believe Devers can produce average 3b production offensively (or maybe slightly better) and near-average defense. I think he's capable of putting up a 1.5-2 WAR/150G performance right now. Frankly, I think more AAA time is better in an ideal world, but I also think there's no 3b option out there that's remotely close to being so clearly superior that it's worth the $/talent cost, not to mention the change in salary/talent calculus it would have on acquiring a reliever. I'd rather roll the dice with Lin until September. Save a year of control for Devers which you never know, might be worth $20 mil plus. With Mookie it is maybe $40 mil plus. Even in a pennant race like this. We really should be able to get into the playoffs with what we have and Lin has maybe a chance of being a decent utility guy who at least has had some initial success. And a little more seasoning should only improve Devers further. I think this is a no brainer even. No way I bring up Devers until September. That kid's value may be huge for us down the road.
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Post by thelavarnwayguy on Jul 23, 2017 14:17:54 GMT -5
I've also thought seriously about Devers at 1st but he hasn't spent a second there as far as I can see so far. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some time there soon but I hope they keep him focused on 3rd this year.
A platoon of Hanley and Travis at first with the DH being rotated with Hanley and Young is starting to look better and better to me.
When a guy like Moreland goes into a prolonged slump, sometimes the best thing you can do is rest him for a week or 2 and let him work on hitting on the side.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Jan 20, 2018 7:52:58 GMT -5
Thought this was interesting. Kid is going to be a beast.
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Post by voiceofreason on Jan 20, 2018 8:30:53 GMT -5
This is what sticks with me. Aroldis Chapman has only given up 2 HRs to a lefty in his career and hadn't given up one in 6 years!! On top of that the pitch was almost 103 mph, the fastest pitch ever recorded that was hit for a HR. Hard not to think about what is possible for this kid, could he hit 40 this year, yup! Funny to see you bring up this thread today as I was thinking about bringing it up yesterday. It is players like Devers who keep it exciting to follow sports after so many years and all the success we Boston fans have had since 2001. www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/rafael-devers-red-sox-home-run-aroldis-chapman-video-yankees-playoff-race/v0m67yazbtag1dcvfqazcy8y2
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Jan 20, 2018 8:43:12 GMT -5
Christopher Smith Verified account @smittyonmlb 26m26 minutes ago More David Ortiz: Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers 'reminds me of myself a lot,' could be 'MVP caliber' by 22 years old
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Post by jimed14 on Jan 20, 2018 8:52:44 GMT -5
Christopher Smith Verified account @smittyonmlb 26m26 minutes ago More David Ortiz: Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers 'reminds me of myself a lot,' could be 'MVP caliber' by 22 years old Wouldn't that be nice?
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Post by jiant2520 on Jan 23, 2018 12:58:54 GMT -5
All these great compliments... comparisons to great players, and his accomplishments in a smallish sample size.
I think he will have a great year, but I do hope he does not read any of this stuff... no need to add anymore pressure.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2018 6:47:12 GMT -5
Was listening to a podcast where they compared Devers to Trout and Harper. They said that Devers swing was a lot like Harper's and produce tons of power this coming year and they don't see Devers with a sophomore slump with Cora and Febles around. I don't want to jinx Devers but I believe he's good for 20 to 30 home runs this year maybe doesn't hit for average but the power should be there.
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Post by sarasoxer on Jan 28, 2018 11:17:55 GMT -5
Can't see any way the Sox go with Lin or send Devers down to get more experience unless he proves not ready this spring. Otherwise Boston fans would revolt. This is especially true when Sox are trying to inject more firepower....and the Yankees are poised to set ML team HR records....(might be SO records too).
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Post by soxjim on Jan 28, 2018 22:40:36 GMT -5
Can't see any way the Sox go with Lin or send Devers down to get more experience unless he proves not ready this spring. Otherwise Boston fans would revolt. This is especially true when Sox are trying to inject more firepower....and the Yankees are poised to set ML team HR records....(might be SO records too). I think you are replying to a post made back in July. I doubt the poster feels that way any more.
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Post by manfred on Jan 28, 2018 23:21:45 GMT -5
Was listening to a podcast where they compared Devers to Trout and Harper. They said that Devers swing was a lot like Harper's and produce tons of power this coming year and they don't see Devers with a sophomore slump with Cora and Febles around. I don't want to jinx Devers but I believe he's good for 20 to 30 home runs this year maybe doesn't hit for average but the power should be there. I agree. I think he can hit 25 HRs, but I worry he’ll have his extended struggles. I just don’t want to rely too much on a player this young. I’m psyched about him, but I will be pretty forgiving of growing pains.
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Post by carmenfanzone on Jan 28, 2018 23:23:49 GMT -5
Was listening to a podcast where they compared Devers to Trout and Harper. They said that Devers swing was a lot like Harper's and produce tons of power this coming year and they don't see Devers with a sophomore slump with Cora and Febles around. I don't want to jinx Devers but I believe he's good for 20 to 30 home runs this year maybe doesn't hit for average but the power should be there. I do not think either are very good comparisons. Both Trout and Harper are, based on everything I have read, good defenders. While I think Devers is ready as a hitter (and will be disappointed if he doesn't hit 25 plus home runs wit at let an average OBP), I am still not sure he is a major league ready third baseman defensively. Hopefully, having his minor league manager on the team as a coach will help with his defense and my concern will be unwarranted, but if I were the Red Sox I would want a utility player on the team that plays an above average third base defensively in case Devers has problems and needs a late inning defensive replacement.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Jan 29, 2018 12:47:08 GMT -5
Was listening to a podcast where they compared Devers to Trout and Harper. They said that Devers swing was a lot like Harper's and produce tons of power this coming year and they don't see Devers with a sophomore slump with Cora and Febles around. I don't want to jinx Devers but I believe he's good for 20 to 30 home runs this year maybe doesn't hit for average but the power should be there. What podcast? Curious who'd make that kind of comparison.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 13:40:36 GMT -5
Was listening to a podcast where they compared Devers to Trout and Harper. They said that Devers swing was a lot like Harper's and produce tons of power this coming year and they don't see Devers with a sophomore slump with Cora and Febles around. I don't want to jinx Devers but I believe he's good for 20 to 30 home runs this year maybe doesn't hit for average but the power should be there. What podcast? Curious who'd make that kind of comparison. On the Splinter app. CBS fantasy sports podcast.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Jan 29, 2018 14:32:11 GMT -5
Y'know, I kind of see it on the swing comp. Interesting. I don't think it means anything in terms of what to expect from him the coming year and don't think you can expect Harper numbers, but it's an interesting swing comp that seems to bear out.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 14:57:30 GMT -5
Look at Devers front shoulder compared to Harper's Devers shoulders actually pointing towards third base where Harper's is pointing straight towards the pitcher.Making Devers a little late on the pitch but still hitting it out towards left center where Harper's pulling the ball. Then look at Devers back shoulder and back foot the power that it generates through the ball. Ok I'm getting crazy now but I'm a believer in Rafael Devers.
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Post by jimed14 on Jan 29, 2018 15:10:44 GMT -5
I watched a lot of video of Devers’ swing and think it looks like Griffey Jr’s at times. I appreciate those gifs above but don’t think that’s his best swing. Of course that’s understandable on a 103mph pitch. That’s all hand eye coordination.
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Post by sarasoxer on Jan 29, 2018 15:57:41 GMT -5
No negative Nellie...
Devers, to me, has a very long swing which, if so, may contribute to driving the ball the opposite way. Perhaps because he seemingly opens up late, pitching hard inside especially above knee level, may jam him.
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Post by greatscottcooper on Jan 29, 2018 16:00:23 GMT -5
In the not too distant future Rafael Devers (who’s due up in the next inning) watches Aaron Judge hit a HR and he says “that’s cute....watch this”
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Jan 29, 2018 16:27:35 GMT -5
Look at Devers front shoulder compared to Harper's Devers shoulders actually pointing towards third base where Harper's is pointing straight towards the pitcher.Making Devers a little late on the pitch but still hitting it out towards left center where Harper's pulling the ball. Then look at Devers back shoulder and back foot the power that it generates through the ball. Ok I'm getting crazy now but I'm a believer in Rafael Devers. Harper's does the same thing. Ian and I came up with the phrase "controlled violence" as a way to describe Devers' swing a while back. It's not a pretty swing and if you don't see it often, it looks like it's out of control, but it isn't. It's a violent swing, but it's not a wild swing. Harper's is quite similar now that I think about it more. They have big loads, but they still get their foot down in time and they generate a ton of power as the bathead comes through the zone. Devers has the ability to square the ball up that I don't think he'll be susceptible to balls inside, as sarasoxer suggests, but we'll see. If he's able to square up 103, that makes me think it won't be an issue. He's got the batspeed that he lets the ball get really deep, but I don't think it's really a "long" swing myself.
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Post by huskies15 on Jan 29, 2018 16:31:12 GMT -5
Devers and Mookie will be duking it out for the AL MVP honor this year and we will be so drunk off our prospect Kool-aid. Can't wait.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 17:01:05 GMT -5
Look at Devers front shoulder compared to Harper's Devers shoulders actually pointing towards third base where Harper's is pointing straight towards the pitcher.Making Devers a little late on the pitch but still hitting it out towards left center where Harper's pulling the ball. Then look at Devers back shoulder and back foot the power that it generates through the ball. Ok I'm getting crazy now but I'm a believer in Rafael Devers. Harper's does the same thing. Ian and I came up with the phrase "controlled violence" as a way to describe Devers' swing a while back. It's not a pretty swing and if you don't see it often, it looks like it's out of control, but it isn't. It's a violent swing, but it's not a wild swing. Harper's is quite similar now that I think about it more. They have big loads, but they still get their foot down in time and they generate a ton of power as the bathead comes through the zone. Devers has the ability to square the ball up that I don't think he'll be susceptible to balls inside, as sarasoxer suggests, but we'll see. If he's able to square up 103, that makes me think it won't be an issue. He's got the batspeed that he lets the ball get really deep, but I don't think it's really a "long" swing myself. I don't want to start a frenzy over Devers swing sarasoxer is right pitchers will make adjustments to him Devers is just going to have to make the same adjustments. Mr. Hatfield showed us the likeness in both Harper's and Devers swings but he also pointed out that they both start in the same place little shorter step on Harper but again adjustments on Devers part will tell if he can make progress in his sophomore season. Bryce Harper's first two seasons 2012 139games 597PA 533ab 144hits 22HR 59RBI 270ba .340obp 2013 118G 497PA 424ab 20HR 58RBI 274ba 368obp Mike Trout's first two seasons 2011 40G 135PA 123ab 5hr 16rbi 220ab 281obp 2012 139G 639PA 559ab 30hr 83rbi 326ba 399obp Rafael Devers first season age 20 2017 58G 240PA 222ab 10hr 30rbi 284ba 338obp 2018 incomplete
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Post by p23w on Jan 29, 2018 17:11:41 GMT -5
It's all about batspeed. Devers has it Betts has it. Benitendi has the ascetics. Pedey has the laser show. Devers has the most to prove (and I agree with the poster who cautioned about Devers' potential to be susceptible to inside stuff). All that said Rafael Devers has the best "home run" potential on this team. I'm looking forward to Dever's ability to adjust because the god given bat speed is there.
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