Rafael Devers

The Red Sox signed 16-year-old free agent Devers in August 2013. Devers, who ranked sixth overall among the top 50 international prospects, agreed to a $1.5 million deal.[http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130809&content_id=56428948&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos Top prospect Devers among four Boston signings]. MLB.com, Retrieved on November 19, 2014. According to an MLB.com report, he was at the time considered by some scouts to be the best left-handed hitter available on the international market.[http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2013/#list=int 2013 International Prospects Watch]. MLB.com. Retrieved on November 19, 2014

Devers made his professional debut on May 31, 2014, with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox rookie club. He batted 14-for-30 for a .467 batting average and slugged .800 in eight games.{{cite web |title=Rafael Devers | SoxProspects.com |url=https://www.soxprospects.com/players/devers-rafael.htm |website=www.soxprospects.com}} In June he continued to show his value leading the DSL Sox with a slash line of .337/.445/.538, three home runs and 21 runs batted in (RBIs), walking more times (21) than he struck out (20), while playing in all 28 of the team's games thus far and had reached base in all but one. In addition, his .983 on-base plus slugging statistic was rare for the DSL level, while his .533 slugging average in this period is the highest mark for an everyday player for the Red Sox since at least 2005, which is as far back as online statistics for the DSL go. On July 3, he was promoted to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox of the Rookie Class GCL.{{cite web |date=July 2, 2014 |title=Rafael Devers promoted to the Gulf Coast League |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2014/07/rafael-devers-promoted-to-gulf-coast.html |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=SoxProspects.com}} Devers hit .372 and slugged .564 in July 22 games for the GCL Red Sox, including seven doubles, two home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .438 on-base percentage.{{cite web |date=August 5, 2014 |title=July Players of the Month: Rafael Devers and Cody Kukuk |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2014/08/july-players-of-month-rafael-devers-and.html |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=SoxProspects.com}} Overall, Devers finished with a .322/.404/.506 line, seven home runs, and 57 RBIs, while appearing in 70 games across two minor league levels. He posted 36 RBIs for the Sox, tying for third in the GCL, and also ranked among the top 10 in batting average (.312). He later contributed with a game-winning homer and three RBIs in the playoffs, as the GFL Red Sox claimed their second Championship title.{{cite web |last=Dykstra |first=Sam |date=August 30, 2014 |title=Guerra, Devers help Red Sox take GCL lead |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-92227748 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}}  Additionally, he was named to the 2014 GCL Postseason All-Stars team.{{cite web |date=September 5, 2014 |title=GCL announces postseason All-Stars |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-93214172 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}} He climbed from No. 13 to No. 5 in MLB.com's ranking of Red Sox prospects that season.

Devers joined Low-Class A Greenville Drive in 2015, where he was selected for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Soon after, MLB.com announced that Devers would be a member of the World Team roster in the All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web |date=June 25, 2015 |title=Greenville Drive's Rafael Devers selected to Futures Game |url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/baseball/greenville-drive/2015/06/25/greenville-drives-rafael-devers-selected-futures-game/29281393/ |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=The Greenville News |language=en-US}} Devers was invited by the Boston Red Sox to participate on its 2016 spring training. He then was promoted to High-A Salem Red Sox to start the regular season. At the time, he was rated as the Red Sox's No. 2 prospect and No. 14 overall, according to MLB.com.{{cite web |title=MLB.com 2016 Prospect Watch – Boston Red Sox Top 30 Prospects list midseason update |url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2016/ |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=Major League Baseball |language=en-US}}

Devers started the 2017 season with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, where he hit .300 with 18 home runs in 77 games. On July 14, Devers was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, where he hit .400 with two home runs in nine games.

File:Rafael Devers.jpg

On July 24, 2017, Devers was promoted to the Boston Red Sox, five days after the team released Pablo Sandoval.{{cite web |date=July 2017 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2017/07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807035317/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2017/07 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=MLB.com}}{{cite web |last=Zucker |first=Joseph |date=July 23, 2017 |title=Rafael Devers Called Up by Red Sox After 9 Games at AAA Pawtucket |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2723358-rafael-devers-called-up-by-red-sox-after-9-games-at-aaa-pawtucket |publisher=Bleacher Report}} On July 26, Devers collected his first major league hit, a home run off of Andrew Moore of the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite news |last=Chavez |first=Chris |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Watch: Red Sox Rookie Rafael Devers Hits Home Run For First Career Hit |work=SI.com |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/07/26/rafael-devers-first-career-home-run-red-sox-mariners |access-date=July 30, 2017}}{{cite web |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Boston Red Sox 4, Seattle Mariners 0 |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2017/B07260SEA2017.htm |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=Retrosheet}} Devers became the youngest Red Sox player (at 20 years, 275 days old) to hit a home run since Tony Conigliaro (at 20 years, 265 days old) in 1965.{{Cite news |last=Monagan |first=Matt |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Rafael Devers became the youngest Red Sox player to homer in more than 50 years |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/rafael-devers-is-youngest-red-sox-player-to-homer-in-more-than-50-years/c-244603972 |access-date=July 1, 2018}} On August 13, Devers hit a ninth-inning game-tying home run off of Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.{{cite web |date=August 13, 2017 |title=Boston Red Sox 3, New York Yankees 2 |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2017/B08130NYA2017.htm |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=Retrosheet}} Chapman's pitch was clocked at {{convert|102.8|mph|kph|abbr=on}}, which was the fastest pitch hit for a home run since 2008, when MLB started tracking pitch velocity.{{cite web |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=August 14, 2017 |title=Statcast of the Day: Devers' historic homer |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rafael-devers-belts-fastest-pitch-to-go-for-hr/c-248288708 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |website=MLB.com}} On August 15, while playing third base, Devers initiated a triple play on a ground ball hit by Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals.{{cite web |date=August 15, 2017 |title=Boston Red Sox 10, St. Louis Cardinals 4 |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2017/B08150BOS2017.htm |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=Retrosheet}}{{cite web |date=August 15, 2017 |title=8/15/17: Red Sox plate eight in the 5th to top Cards |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TpD4axyviI |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=MLB.com |via=YouTube}} During the regular season, Devers appeared in 58 games with the 2017 Red Sox, batting .284 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs. Defensively, he started 56 games at third base and had a .906 fielding percentage, and was second among AL third basemen in errors with 14.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deverra01.shtml "Rafael Devers,"] Baseball Reference

In the postseason, Devers hit a two-run home run in Game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the eventual World Series champions, the Houston Astros,{{cite web |date=October 8, 2017 |title=Boston Red Sox 10, Houston Astros 3 |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2017/B10080BOS2017.htm |access-date=July 1, 2018 |website=Retrosheet}} giving the Red Sox their first lead in any game of the series. Devers became the youngest Red Sox player to homer in the postseason,{{cite web |last=Cardoza |first=Kyle |date=October 9, 2017 |title=Rafael Devers becomes youngest Red Sox player to hit postseason home run |url=https://calltothepen.com/2017/10/09/devers-becomes-youngest-red-sox-player-to-hit-postseason-home-run/ |access-date=February 10, 2019 |website=Call to the Pen}} and only the sixth player in MLB history to hit a home run in the playoffs before his 21st birthday, joining Mickey Mantle, Andruw Jones, Miguel Cabrera, Manny Machado, and Bryce Harper.{{cite news |date=October 8, 2017 |title=Red Sox beat Astros 10-3, avoid elimination in ALDS Game 3 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=371008102 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} In Game 4, Devers hit an inside-the-park home run,{{cite web |date=October 9, 2017 |title=Houston Astros 5, Boston Red Sox 4 |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2017/B10090BOS2017.htm |access-date=July 1, 2018 |website=Retrosheet}}{{cite web |last=Rodgers |first=Joe |date=October 9, 2017 |title=MLB playoffs: Rafael Devers hits historic inside-the-park HR for Red Sox |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-playoffs-2017-astros-red-sox-watch-inside-the-park-hr-rafael-devers/12whwnr57wlwc15c503zur0y5s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911151823/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-playoffs-2017-astros-red-sox-watch-inside-the-park-hr-rafael-devers/12whwnr57wlwc15c503zur0y5s |archive-date=September 11, 2018 |access-date=February 10, 2019 |website=Sporting News}} becoming the youngest MLB player (at 20 years, 350 days old) to hit one in the postseason. During the ALDS, Devers batted 4-for-11 (.364) with two home runs and five RBIs.

File:Rafael Devers 2018.jpg

Devers began the 2018 season as Boston's regular third baseman. He hit his first career grand slam on April 18, off of Tyler Skaggs of the Los Angeles Angels.{{Cite news |last=Padilla |first=Doug |date=April 19, 2018 |title=Devers delivers 1st career slam for red-hot Sox |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rafael-devers-hits-first-career-grand-slam/c-272861394 |access-date=June 30, 2018}} He hit his second grand slam on June 30, off of Sonny Gray of the New York Yankees. That night, Devers, who went 5-for-5, became the youngest player to hit a grand slam in a Red Sox–Yankees game, at the age of 21 years and 249 days.{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=June 30, 2018 |title=Devers youngest to hit slam in Sox-Yanks rivalry |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rafael-devers-hits-grand-slam-off-sonny-gray/c-283658812 |access-date=June 30, 2018}} On July 12, he was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to left shoulder inflammation; he was activated on July 21. Devers was placed back on the disabled list on July 29,{{cite web |date=July 2018 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/07 |access-date=July 29, 2018 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206033500/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/07 |url-status=dead }} due to a left hamstring strain, and was reactivated on August 8, hitting a home run in that evening's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web |date=August 8, 2018 |title=Red Sox vs. Blue Jays - Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=380808114 |access-date=August 8, 2018 |website=ESPN}} Devers was again placed on the disabled list on August 17, due to his left hamstring. He was sent on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on August 29,{{cite web |date=August 2018 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/08 |access-date=August 29, 2018 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231145/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/08 |url-status=dead }} and returned to Boston's active roster on September 4.{{cite web |date=September 2018 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/09 |access-date=September 4, 2018 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090432/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/09 |url-status=dead }} On September 26, Devers went 4-for-5 with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs.{{cite web |title=Orioles vs. Red Sox - Play-By-Play - September 26, 2018 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=380926202 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |website=ESPN}}

During the regular season, Devers appeared in 121 games, batting .240/.298/.433 with 21 home runs and 66 RBIs. On defense, he led the major leagues in errors, with 24.{{cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » All Positions » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=10&type=0&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=9,d |website=www.fangraphs.com}} He also had the lowest fielding percentage among major league third basemen, at .926.{{cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Third Basemen » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=21,d |website=www.fangraphs.com}} He performed much better in the postseason, becoming the fifth player to hit at least three home runs before his 22nd birthday. In Game 5 of the 2018 American League Championship Series (ALCS), Devers hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning, helping to send the Red Sox to the World Series.{{cite web |date=October 18, 2018 |title=Boston Red Sox 4, Houston Astros 1 |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2018/B10180HOU2018.htm |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Retrosheet}} In Game 4 of the World Series, Devers became the youngest player with a go-ahead RBI in the 9th inning or later of a World Series game since Édgar Rentería's walk-off single in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.{{Cite news |title=ESPN Stats & Info on Twitter |language=en |work=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1056389438459256832 |access-date=October 28, 2018}} The Red Sox won the series in five games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving Devers his first championship title.{{cite web |title=Boston Red Sox win 2018 World Series. |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-win-2018-world-series-title/c-299876586 |access-date=October 29, 2018 |publisher=MLB}}

Devers resumed his role as Boston's regular third baseman for 2019. On June 3, he was named the AL Player of the Month for May, having batted .351 with eight home runs during the month.{{Cite news |last=Cotillo |first=Chris |date=June 3, 2019 |title=Rafael Devers wins AL Player of the Month; Boston Red Sox 3B hit .351 with 8 home runs in May |work=masslive.com |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/06/rafael-devers-wins-al-player-of-the-month-boston-red-sox-3b-hit-351-with-8-home-runs-in-may.html |access-date=June 3, 2019}} In mid-July, Devers was named Boston's 2019 Heart & Hustle Award winner.{{Cite news |date=July 16, 2019 |title=Rafael Devers Wins Red Sox Heart And Hustle Award |work=WBZ-TV |agency=CBS |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/07/16/rafael-devers-wins-red-sox-heart-and-hustle-award-mlb/ |access-date=August 14, 2019}} On August 13, Devers became the latest MLB player to record six hits in a game; he was 5-for-5 in the first nine innings of an away game against the Cleveland Indians, and had his sixth hit in the 10th inning.{{cite web |date=August 13, 2019 |title=August 13, 2019 Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians Play by Play and Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE201908130.shtml |access-date=August 14, 2019 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}} In addition, Devers' four doubles in his 6-for-6 night make him the only player since 1900 to record six-plus hits with at least four doubles.{{Cite news |last=McWilliams |first=Julian |date=August 14, 2019 |title=Rafael Devers racks up hits and accolades |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2019/08/14/rafael-devers-racks-hits-and-accolades/FZhK9tQ3l3SUq4jL9uda5I/story.html |url-access=limited |access-date=August 18, 2019}} On August 18, Devers became the first MLB player to record 100 RBIs during the 2019 season.{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=August 18, 2019 |title=101 RBIs: Red-hot Devers joins elite company |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/rafael-devers-surpasses-100-rbis |access-date=August 18, 2019}} He was named AL Player of the Week for the week of August 12–18.{{cite web |last=Harrigan |first=Thomas |date=August 19, 2019 |title=Devers, Ahmed named Players of the Week |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/rafael-devers-nick-ahmed-win-pow |access-date=August 19, 2019 |website=MLB.com}} On September 21, Devers hit his 31st home run of the season,{{cite web |date=September 21, 2019 |title=Red Sox vs. Rays - Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=401077043 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=ESPN}} setting a new Red Sox franchise record for home runs by a third baseman in a season, passing Butch Hobson who had hit 30 in 1977.{{Cite tweet |number=1175575336379146241 |user=SoxNotes |title=Most HR in a season by a Red Sox third baseman |date=September 21, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2019}} On September 29, the final day of the regular season, Devers reached the 200-hit plateau.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Christopher |date=September 29, 2019 |title=Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers joins Whit Merrifield as only MLB players with 200 hits in 2019 |work=masslive.com |url=https://www.masslive.com/sports/2019/09/boston-red-soxs-rafael-devers-joins-whit-merrifield-as-only-mlb-players-with-200-hits-in-2019.html |access-date=September 29, 2019}}

He finished the season with 201 hits and a .311 average, along with 54 doubles (leading the AL), 32 home runs, and 115 RBIs, and led the major leagues with 90 extra-base hits and 359 total bases.{{cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=2019 Major League Baseball Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2019-batting-leaders.shtml |access-date=October 7, 2019 |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com}} On defense, he led all major league third basemen in errors, with 22.{{cite web |date=2019 |title=2019 Major League Baseball Fielding Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2019-fielding-leaders.shtml |access-date=October 7, 2019 |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com}} He finished 12th in 2019 AL MVP voting.{{Cite tweet |number=1195129302892843008 |user=SoxNotes |title=Red Sox' 2019 AL MVP Finishes |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}

During the 60-game shortened regular season, Devers was again Boston's primary third baseman. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, he batted .263 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs in 57 games. He led all major league players (including all AL third basemen) in errors with 14, more than twice as many as any other AL third baseman, and had the lowest fielding percentage, .891, of all major league third basemen.{{cite web |title=2020 American League Third Base |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2020-specialpos_3b-fielding.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{cite web |title=2020 Major League Baseball Fielding Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2020-fielding-leaders.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2020 » Third Basemen » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2020&month=0&season1=2020&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2020-01-01&enddate=2020-12-31&sort=21,a |website=www.fangraphs.com}}

On January 15, 2021, Devers and the Red Sox reached agreement on a $4.575 million one-year deal to avoid arbitration.{{Cite news |last=Speier |first=Alex |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Red Sox and Rafael Devers reach a deal, avoiding arbitration |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/15/sports/red-sox-rafael-devers-reach-deal-avoiding-arbitration/ |url-access=limited |access-date=January 15, 2021}} Devers returned as Boston's primary third baseman, and on July 1 was named the AL starter at that position for the 2021 All-Star Game.{{Cite news |date=July 1, 2021 |title=Red Sox teammates Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts earn All-Star Game starting nods |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/01/sports/red-sox-teammates-rafael-devers-xander-bogaerts-earn-all-star-game-starting-nods/ |url-access=limited |accessdate=July 1, 2021}} On September 4, Devers hit a three-run home run against Cleveland—it was his 33rd home run of the season and gave him 100 RBIs for the second time in his career.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/09/04/rafael-devers-33rd-home-run-keeps-red-sox-rolling-over-indians/ |title=Rafael Devers' 33rd home run keeps Red Sox rolling over Indians |first=Jason |last=Mastrodonato |website=Boston Herald |url-access=limited |date=September 4, 2021 |accessdate=September 4, 2021}} Overall during the regular season, Devers batted .279 in 156 games with 38 home runs and 113 RBIs, as on defense he led AL third basemen in errors for the fourth straight year, while also leading all major league third basemen, with 22.

He also played in 11 postseason games, batting 13-for-44 (.295) as the Red Sox advanced to the ALCS. During Game 2 of the ALCS, both JD Martinez and Devers hit grand slams, marking the first time an MLB team had two grand slams in a playoff game.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/j-d-martinez-grand-slam-2021-alcs-game-2|title=2 innings, 2 slams: Sox make playoff history|first=Martin|last=Gallegos|website=MLB.com|date=October 16, 2021|accessdate=October 16, 2021}} On November 11, Devers was announced as the AL recipient of the Silver Slugger Award for third basemen.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/silver-slugger-award-winners-2021 |title='21 Silver Slugger Award winners announced |first=Thomas |last=Harrigan |website=MLB.com |date=November 11, 2021 |accessdate=November 11, 2021}} He also received votes in American League MVP balloting, finishing in 11th place,{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-mvp-award-voting-results |title=Here are the MVP Award vote totals |website=MLB.com |date=November 18, 2021 |accessdate=November 18, 2021}} and was selected as the second-team third baseman on the All-MLB Team.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-all-mlb-team |title=The '21 All-MLB Team is here. And it's stacked |first=Anthony |last=Castrovince |website=MLB.com |date=November 23, 2021 |accessdate=November 23, 2021}}

On March 23, 2022, Devers signed a $11.2 million contract with the Red Sox, avoiding salary arbitration.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/red-sox-rafael-devers-avoid-arbitration.html|title=Red Sox, Rafael Devers Avoid Arbitration|date=March 22, 2022|access-date=March 23, 2022|last=Franco|first=Anthony|website=MLBTradeRumors}} He was again the team's regular third baseman. In voting for the All-Star Game, Devers was selected by fans to the AL starting lineup.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34213938/los-angeles-angels-shohei-ohtani-mike-trout-lead-way-mlb-announces-all-star-game-starters |title=Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout lead way as MLB announces All-Star Game starters |first=David |last=Schoenfield |website=ESPN.com |date=July 8, 2022 |accessdate=July 8, 2022}} On July 23, he was placed on the 10-day injured list due to right hamstring inflammation.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox-make-3-roster-moves-rafael-devers-to-il-jaylin-davis-promoted-kiké-hernández-transferred-to-60-day-il/ar-AAZTMZE |title=Boston Red Sox make 3 roster moves: Rafael Devers to IL, Jaylin Davis promoted, Kiké Hernández transferred to 60-day IL |first=Christopher |last=Smith |website=masslive.com |via=MSN.com |date=July 23, 2022 |accessdate=July 23, 2022}} For the season, Devers batted .295 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs in 141 games, as on defense he led AL third basemen in errors for the fifth straight year, with 14.{{cite web |title=Rafael Devers Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deverra01.shtml |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He was also named a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award,{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/2022-hank-aaron-award-finalists |title=2022 Hank Aaron Award finalists announced |first=Manny |last=Randhawa |website=MLB.com |date=October 17, 2022 |accessdate=October 22, 2022}} a Silver Slugger Award,{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/27/sports/xander-bogaerts-rafael-devers-are-al-silver-slugger-finalists/ |title=Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers are AL Silver Slugger finalists |first=Peter |last=Abraham |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=October 27, 2022 |accessdate=October 27, 2022}} and the All-MLB Team.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/all-mlb-team-2022-nominees-vote |title=VOTE NOW: All-MLB Team nominees announced |first=Paul |last=Casella |website=MLB.com |date=November 10, 2022 |accessdate=November 12, 2022}}

On January 3, 2023, Devers and the Red Sox agreed to a $17.5 million salary for the 2023 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/briefly-red-sox-devers-agree-to-17-5m-deal/article_69f7afae-8bac-11ed-91f1-57fc89397fa3.html | title=Briefly: Red Sox, Devers agree to $17.5M deal | date=January 3, 2023 }} On January 11, Devers agreed to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension which will take effect in the 2024 season.{{cite web | last=Browne | first=Ian | title=How Rafael Devers contract extension came together | website=MLB.com | date=2023-01-13 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/how-rafael-devers-contract-extension-came-together | access-date=2025-04-20}}{{cite web|last=Cole |first=Mike |url=https://nesn.com/2023/01/red-sox-make-rafael-devers-extension-official-with-important-distinction/ |title=Red Sox Make Rafael Devers Deal Official With Key Distinction |publisher=Nesn.com |date=December 8, 2021 |accessdate=January 11, 2023}}

Across 153 games for the Red Sox in 2023, Devers batted .271/.351/.500 with 33 home runs and 100 RBI, as on defense he led AL third basemen in errors for the sixth straight year, while also leading all major league third basemen, with 19.{{Cite web |title=Rafael Devers Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/rafael-devers-646240 |access-date=January 6, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

On November 9, Devers was announced as the AL recipient for the Silver Slugger Award at third base, his second.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/silver-slugger-award-winners-2023 |title=Silver Slugger Award winners announced |first1=David |last1=Adler |first2=Manny |last2=Randhawa |website=MLB.com |date=November 2, 2023 |accessdate=November 9, 2023}}

On May 20, 2024, Devers became the first player in Red Sox history to hit home runs in six consecutive games.{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2024 |title=WATCH: Rafael Devers sets Red Sox record by homering in sixth straight game |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/watch-rafael-devers-sets-red-sox-record-by-homering-in-sixth-straight-game/ |access-date=May 21, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} On July 6, he recorded his 1,000th career major league hit.{{cite web | last=Browne | first=Ian | title=Rafael Devers reaches 1,000 career hits | website=MLB.com | date=July 6, 2024 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rafael-devers-reaches-1-000-career-hits | access-date=October 14, 2024}} Devers finished the season batting .272/.354/.516 with 28 home runs and 83 RBI, as on defense he led AL third basement in errors for the seventh straight year, with 12, in 138 games played.

Through the end of the 2024 season, Devers led all active third basemen in career errors committed (141, in eight seasons), and had the lowest fielding percentage of all active third basemen who had played a minimum of 500 games (.944).[https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/E_3b_active.shtml "Active Leaders & Records for Errors Committed as 3B,"] Baseball Reference.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/fielding_perc_3b_active.shtml "Active Leaders & Records for Fielding % as 3B,"] Baseball Reference.Mark Polishuk (January 5, 2025). [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/red-sox-notes-arenado-casas-bregman-sasaki.html "Red Sox Notes: Arenado, Casas, Bregman, Sasaki,"] MLB Trade Rumors.

In February 2025, after the Red Sox signed free agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract,{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/alex-bregman-red-sox-free-agent-contract|title=Bregman's 3-year, $120 million deal with Red Sox is official|first1=Ian|last1=Browne|first2=Manny|last2=Randhawa|website=MLB.com|date=February 15, 2025|accessdate=February 18, 2025}} Devers said he would not accept a move from third base to accommodate Bregman.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43891395/red-sox-rafael-devers-cede-3b-alex-bregman-signing|title=Red Sox's Rafael Devers won't cede 3B after Alex Bregman signing|website=ESPN.com|date=February 17, 2025|accessdate=February 18, 2025}} However, he later relented{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox-star-rafael-devers-changes-tune-position-change-alex-bregman|title=Red Sox Star Rafael Devers Changes Tune on Position Change Month After Bregman Deal|first=Dan|last=Lyons|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=March 13, 2025|accessdate=April 5, 2025}} and was moved to the role of designated hitter.

Rafael was born on October 24, 1996, to Rafael Devers Sr. and Lucrecia Garcia in Sánchez Ramírez Province.{{cite web|url=https://celebs.infoseemedia.com/rafael-devers/|title=Rafael Devers Bio family net worth|work=Celebs Infoseemedia|date=January 28, 2021}}{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}

Devers' cousin, José Devers, played in the MLB with the Miami Marlins in 2021.{{Cite news |last1=Browne |first1=Ian |last2=De Nicola |first2=Christina |date=May 28, 2021 |title='Super exciting' as Devers cousins reunite |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rafael-devers-jose-devers-reunite-at-fenway-park |accessdate=May 29, 2021}}

Devers was given the nickname “Carita,” which means “baby face,” because he was so happy and smiling as a child. He used the nickname for Players' Weekend in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Camerato |first1=Jessica |last2=Browne |first2=Ian |date=January 24, 2021 |title=Every Red Sox Players' Weekend nickname |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-players-weekend-nicknames |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=MLB.com}}

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Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Sánchez Ramírez Province

Category:Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States

Category:Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic

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Category:Major League Baseball third basemen

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Category:Silver Slugger Award winners

Category:Dominican Summer League Red Sox players

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