Giants’ Rafael Devers Dishes On Post-Red Sox Trade Slump, First Base Debut

Rafael Devers isn’t exactly enjoying a San Francisco treat. The former Boston Red Sox star is struggling since last month’s blockbuster trade sending him to the Giants.

In 15 games with San Francisco, Devers is hitting .203 with two home runs and six RBIs. Most alarming, he has 25 strikeouts in 59 at-bats. Red Sox fans no doubt remember Devers’ early-season struggles, going 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts in Boston’s first five games.

Devers broke out of that slump and posted a .905 OPS before the trade, slamming 15 home runs and driving in 58 runs. The three-time All-Star is confident he will find his groove in the Bay Area.

“I’m feeling very comfortable right now,” Devers told the San Francisco Standard’s John Shea on Wednesday. “Things aren’t going the way I want for me or the team, but I know eventually I’m going to get out of it and the team is going to get out of it.”

“No, it doesn’t bother me,” Devers continued. “It happens to all the hitters. I know I’m trying to make my adjustments. I know that I’m trying to contribute to the team, trying to get my hits and also contribute to wins.”

Devers hasn’t missed a game since landing in San Francisco despite appearing to struggle with a groin strain. In his interview with the Standard, which was conducted through a Spanish translator, Devers said the injury “does affect me a little bit when I hit, but that’s not an excuse. I know that I can make the adjustments.”

Shea noted part of those adjustments include dealing with a lot of high heat as teams pound the 28-year-old with elevated fastballs.

“It’s something I’ve gone through throughout my career,” Devers said. “I know they’ve thrown me high fastballs, and I’ve had that issue. Again, I will make my adjustments.”

Devers expressed a willingness to play first base with the Giants, but so far has made all of his appearances at designated hitter. But Shea reported Devers could take the field at first base “as early as next week’s homestand.”

“I’m very close,” Devers said. “I feel very comfortable every time I go out there, and I know the minute that I’m healthy, I’m going to be at first.”