Position-by-position look at Red Sox roster: Third base - Well-anchored with surging Devers

This is Part 5 in a series in which we'll examine the Red Sox roster by position. Each day, we'll focus on one spot around the diamond, examine the incumbent player(s), look at prospects in the system and comment on the state of the position within the organization in general.

TODAY: Third base
INCUMBENT: Rafael Devers
CONTRACT: Not yet arbitration eligible
THE SKINNY: Devers had a breakout season in 2019, becoming one of the game's top young stars and garnering some AL MVP votes. He led the league in doubles (54) and total bases (359) and finished with a .911 OPS. He exhibited more patience at the plate (.361 OBP) and demonstrated an ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. After a poor start defensively — he had amassed nine errors by May 2 — he became more



consistent in the field over the final four months of the season and improved his range, especially to his left.

Incredibly, next season will be his age 23 season and he has the capacity to keep getting better. Devers certainly possesses the potential to become a regular 40-homer hitter. Together with Xander Bogaerts at short, the two give the Red Sox an elite left side of the infield, under control together for at least the next four seasons.

At times, Devers can go into long stretches at the plate where he gets out of his element and begins to expand the strike zone. But he's far more selective than he was a few years ago and his improved conditioning has made him more athletic and consistent.
Once the Red Sox sort through their current payroll issues and are able to re-set their CBT rate, it would seem a long-term extension for Devers should be among their biggest priorities.

THE BACKUPS: Tzu-Wei Lin, Marco Hernandez

Devers is young and would seem fully capable of playing 150-plus games for the foreseeable future. For the occasional day off for him, the Red Sox can turn to either Lin or Hernandez. Lin is the far superior defender, though he has limited offensive upside. Hernandez is better-suited for second base, but could fill in at third short-term, though he hasn't played the position in the big leagues since before his shoulder troubles began.

PROSPECTS: Brandon Howlett, Danny Diaz

A year ago, this group would have included both Bobby Dalbec and Triston Casas, both originally drafted as third basemen. But because Dalbec is now blocked by Devers, he's shifted to first, although he could certainly be plugged in at third should the need arise. Casas, too, has transitioned across the diamond and is now viewed as a first baseman.

Howlett was an 18th-round pick out of high school in 2018 who is considered athletic with power. With just one season at Low Single A, however, there's plenty of development to come. Diaz is just 18 and has yet to play for a North American-based affiliate, but like Howlett, has impressive power potential and the ability to become at least an average defender at third base.

OVERALL: The Red Sox are well-situated at the position — now and in the future. Dalbec represents some insurance for the short-term were Devers to somehow miss extended time, but that's unlikely. Devers figures to be the team's power anchor in the lineup for years to come and, looking ahead another five or so seasons, there are intriguing prospects in the lower reaches of the minors.