SAN FRANCISCO — Rafael Devers, the three-time All-Star infielder, made his highly anticipated debut with the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night, just days after a surprising trade from the Boston Red Sox.
Despite the Giants’ 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, Devers made his presence felt by going 2-for-5 with a double and one RBI.
Devers’ Debut Performance
Devers, who was traded to the Giants on Sunday as part of a five-player deal, served as the team’s designated hitter and batted third.
His debut at-bat didn’t go as planned, as he struck out swinging against Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi. However, in his second at-bat, Devers bounced back with a double, driving in a run by lining a 111.4 mph drive into the right-center gap.
He struck out once more in his third plate appearance, again against Cecconi, before grounding out to end his fourth at-bat against reliever Cade Smith.
In his final at-bat of the night, Devers singled in the bottom of the ninth, advancing the tying run to second base with one out against closer Emmanuel Clase.
Overall, the 28-year-old went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI, showcasing his ability to contribute right away in his new role with the Giants.
A Rocky Relationship with Boston
Devers’ trade to the Giants comes after a falling out with the Red Sox, which traces back to this spring when Boston signed Alex Bregman to play third base without discussing it with Devers first.
While Devers initially accepted moving to the designated hitter role, he eventually refused to take on the first base position after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury.
Now with the Giants, Devers appears open to playing wherever the team needs him, whether that’s third base, first base, or continuing as the designated hitter. He stated, “They’re the men in charge. I am here to play wherever they want me to play,” signaling his willingness to be flexible.
Before his debut, Devers even took ground balls at first base, potentially positioning himself for that role in the future, especially considering the Giants’ upcoming series against the Red Sox. This could give Devers the opportunity to play the position that Boston had hoped he would.
Impressive Start to the 2025 Season
Devers’ impressive performance this season with the Red Sox set a high standard, having played 73 games with a .272 batting average, .401 on-base percentage, and a .504 slugging percentage.
He hit 15 home runs and added 18 doubles, all of which contributed to a 153 OPS+—a career-best pace that would mark his best single-season performance if maintained.
As of now, Devers has been worth 2.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Baseball Reference, further underscoring his value to any team, including his new club, the Giants.
What’s Next for Devers?
Devers is expected to play a key role in the Giants’ lineup as they look to build momentum for the rest of the season. His versatility in the field, combined with his impressive bat, could help elevate San Francisco’s chances as they compete in the NL West.
With the Red Sox on the horizon for the Giants later this week, it’s possible Devers will have a chance to play at first base for his new team, a position the Red Sox had hoped he would fill.
