MLB Notebook: Rafael Devers establishes a new MLB record, and is a Kristian Campbell extension imminent? Mayer: 'I felt like I deserved a spot’

On the eve of Opening Day, Alex Cora announced that Rafael Devers would be the everyday designated hitter and that he would not play third base at all this season. He doubled down on his decision prior to the second game of the season in Texas when Devers was seen taking grounders at third base with Alex Bregman.

“No. Raffy is going to DH,” Cora said when asked if Devers would play third on days that Bregman isn’t in the lineup. “We had a conversation; we talked about it. He’s DHing. He’s the DH of the Boston Red Sox.”

Devers has not had a particularly hot start in his first three games as the designated hitter. The left-handed slugger looks overmatched facing the Rangers pitching staff, going 0-for-12 with 10 strikeouts, setting a Major League record in the process.

The 10 strikeouts broke the previous record of nine in the first three games, which had been done five times previously since 1901, according to SportRadar.

In the Sox' 5-2 victory on Opening Day, Devers failed to keep up with the fastball, striking out three times and weakly grounding out to first. He struck out in all four of his at-bats the following night, including a back-breaking strikeout with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh inning, resulting in him wearing the Golden Sombrero. On Saturday night, he whiffed three more times in their 4-3 loss.

“Not catching up with the fastball,” Cora said this weekend. “It’s very simple. [He’s getting] 3-2 counts. The at-bats are OK, but not being able to cash in.”

Devers won’t argue with his manager’s claim about his inability to hit the fastball. He emphasized that he has encountered instances during his career in which he has experienced issues catching up to the heater.

“That’s been happening since I got called up,” Devers said. “I’m the same hitter that I was back then. I know who I am. I know that I haven't done my job, and I haven't done what I'm supposed to do.”

He began the 2021 season going 0-for-13 and recording four strikeouts. However, he eventually settled in and hit .293 with a .587 slugging percentage during the month of April.

So, what’s up with Devers?

He's expressed no apprehension regarding his subpar performance at the plate subsequent to his season debut.

“It’s only been two games,” Devers said. “I feel comfortable at the plate. I feel good. I haven’t hit the ball, but I feel everything will change … I know who I am. I know that I haven’t done my job and I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do, but I know that everything will change.”

One could easily speculate that his struggles stem from Bregman replacing him as the team's new third baseman. His struggles are particularly noticeable because it coincides with the start of the season. If he went 0-for-12 with 10 strikeouts in the middle of July, the media and the fan base wouldn't be as vocal about his performance; they would simply chalk it up to a slump during the summer doldrums of the MLB schedule. If the outcome is just a few bad games, people can live with it. If Devers' mental state suffers due to his new role as DH, then the Sox are facing a problem.

Devers was asked if being just a DH and having to worry about hitting rather than playing third base makes it harder to hit over the course of the game.

“To be honest, I don’t know,” Devers answered, via translator Carlos Villoria-Benitez. “I’ve never been in this position, so I don’t know. I feel very good at the plate; I just haven’t been able to hit the ball. So I don’t know.”

Devers only had five spring training games to prepare for the season. In order to prevent the media circus that erupted during the first week of camp, the Red Sox relegated him to the backfields and batting cages versus playing in regular Grapefruit League games. 

Conversely, Wilyer Abreu, who started the spring with a 1-for-20 record, has been outstanding, hitting two home runs and knocking five RBI in the first three games.

Is it possible that Devers’ shoulders are still an issue?

“I really don’t know why there’s been such a big deal made about my shoulders,” Devers said in camp. “Since the first day here at camp, I’ve been saying that my shoulders are good, and that they’re good right now. So I don’t know why it’s been put out there, the rumors of my shoulders being bad, but they’re good right now.”

Another thought ran through my mind. Do you recall last season when Cora stated that Masataka Yoshida would not be playing in the outfield due to the team's abundance of outfielders on the roster? After the season Cora said club exclusively utilized Yoshida as a designated hitter throughout the season due to his inability to throw long distances, which prevented him from playing in the outfield.

“Our outfield defense was great last year, but in a perfect world, if he was healthy, he was going to play the outfield,” Cora told reporters in January at Fenway Fest. “The throwing part of it wasn’t there, so that’s the reason he actually didn’t play.”

Yoshida was forced to DH and had a decent year at the plate, hitting .280 with 10 homers, 56 RBI, 21 doubles, and two stolen bases while recording a .764 OPS. Those are commendable stats; however, they are insufficient for an individual who only hits four times per game during an entire MLB season.

Is there an underlying issue with Devers, similar to Yoshida's situation, that prevents him from playing the field and only allowing him to hit?

The Sox are a better team with Bregman at third base; he and Story can lock down the left side of the infield, offering the club elite defense on that side of the diamond.

Devers' shoulders impacted him over the final two months of last season before the club shut him down. He spent the entire winter rehabbing and strengthening his shoulders.

While we can speculate about potential factors affecting Devers, it remains a fact that he requires time to adjust to his new role as a DH and establish routines that prepare him for hitting rather than playing the field.

“I did the work I needed to do,” Devers said about his preparation this spring. “I worked on my swing. I didn’t focus on anything else. I feel comfortable. I feel on time. It’s just a matter of time.”

KRISTIAN CAMPBELL'S MEMORABLE WEEKEND

Kristian Campbell will cherish his inaugural weekend as a major leaguer for the rest of his life.

In the ninth inning on Opening Day, Campbell collected his first big league hit, which ricocheted off the glove of third baseman Josh Jung and into left field. This provided the foundation for Abreu's three-run homer into the Rangers' bullpen off Luke Jackson, which propelled the Sox to a 5-2 victory on Opening Day.

Campbell hit his first major league home run to left-center field in the fourth inning on Saturday night, thereby tying the game. Campbell crushed a 93 mph fastball that was left over the heart of the plate, sending it 431 feet and 112.2 mph off the bat.

He bolted out of the batter's box, pumping his fist, and then pointed to the stands, where his family was seated to watch his first road series with the Red Sox.

“First time hitting a home run in Major League Baseball, just a lot of energy,” Campbell told reporters. “That’s usually how I am, though, in general. But just a lot of energy.”

His family was just as ecstatic over his first big league blast.

“I was happy that they got to see that,” Campbell said. “They haven’t seen me hit a home run probably since college.

CONTRACT EXTENSION ON THE HORIZON?

With his first big league hit and homer in the books, the rookie appears to be nearing another milestone—securing a long-term deal with the club.

The Red Sox are in deep talks on a contract extension, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. He would add that “one source close to the negotiations described a deal as close.”

Terms are not known on the potential deal, but Campbell acknowledged the ongoing extension talks following the Sox’ 4-3 loss to the Rangers on Saturday night.

“They’re talking back and forth,” he said after his memorable 2-for-3 performance at Globe Life Field. “I know that for a fact. I’m not sure how close or not close it is, but we’ve had some communications on that for sure.

“I leave that to my agents and let them talk back and forth and work out what is gonna be done. We’ll listen, for sure.”

Craig Breslow has been able to secure some of the young stars on the Red Sox roster to extensions. Last spring, Boston extended both Ceddanne Rafaela and Brayan Bello.

Rafaela landed an eight-year, $50 million deal following his 2023 season, where he played in just 28 games. His deal can also include an option for a ninth year, keeping him in Boston through 2032.

Bello signed a six-year, $55 million extension that includes a $21 million club option at the beginning of camp last year. His deal covered all of his arbitration-eligible seasons.

Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy spoke with reporters that spring and talked about the importance of signing the club’s young, homegrown talent.

“We need to do a better job of making it personal,” Kennedy said. “And (new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow) is probably the absolute perfect person to do that, expressing what it means to be a career Boston Red Sox player. The only thing an organization is show the commitment to winning and the commitment to wanting players to be here for their career. I think building those personal relationships and the connections with these guys — because they have choices and they have options — is something that Brez is focused on.

“Starting earlier is probably a lesson. We’ve not had a ton of success in extending our own guys. We have in the past, and it’s been a great recipe for success. But I think starting those conversations earlier is a great idea.”

Boston signed Garrett Whitlock to an extension while Chaim Bloom was leading the front office. The righty signed a four-year, $18.75 million deal that includes club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, potentially maxing him out at $44.5 million over six seasons with the Red Sox.

Campbell isn’t set to hit free agency until after the 2030 season; any extension with the team would give the Sox control over him past that date.

The 22-year-old played just 19 games at Triple-A, shot through the minors, and hit .286/.412/.486 to go along with two doubles, four home runs, 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored, four stolen bases, 13 walks, and 18 strikeouts. 

Campbell experienced a remarkable ascent through the Red Sox system, achieving a .330/.439/.558 batting line with 20 home runs and 24 steals in 115 games across High A Greenville, Double-A Portland, and Triple-A Worcester. His season came to an end in early September after he went on the WooSox’ 7-day injured list with a lat strain.

His remarkable first full professional season paved the way for him to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. He has had an impressive start to the season, going 5-for-10 with a double, a home run, and an RBI in his first three games.

His debut weekend in the major leagues has seen him play both second base and left field. He was on the brink of a highlight-reel diving catch in left field if the ball had not popped out of his glove as he hit the ground.

“He’s a good athlete,” Cora said. “There’s a lot to learn. He’s learning a lot at this level. But he’s a joy to watch.”

Campbell has settled in over the last few weeks following a slow spring start. His versatility on defense and his high ceiling as an offensive standout have the team excited for the type of player he can blossom into this season.

“He’s feeling better and better,” said Cora. “If you watch his highlight reels from last year, his homers are left-center and right-center on the fastball, and then he pulls the soft stuff pull-side. He’s on pitches ... He’s feeling good about himself.”

MARCELO MAYER: 'I FEEL LIKE I DID EARN A SPOT ON THAT TEAM'

Marcelo Mayer made his Triple-A debut on Friday in the WooSox’ season opener against the Syracuse Mets at Polar Park.

The top prospect is coming off an impressive spring training, playing smooth defense while controlling the strike zone, hitting .333 with a .983 OPS over 20 Grapefruit League games.

Despite his outstanding spring, Mayer was disappointed not to secure a spot on the Red Sox Opening Day roster.

“Yeah,” Mayer said during an appearance on WEEI’s Jones and Keefe show Friday afternoon from Polar Park. “All that stuff isn’t up to me. But as a player and based on performance, I feel like I did earn a spot on that team. With that being said, things didn’t go my way, and now I’m here. and I’m just going to get after it every single day. Keep doing what I’m doing.”

Cora wasn’t too worried over Mayer’s comments on Friday afternoon.

“Roberto Alomar cried when he got sent down in 1988, and he became a Hall of Famer,” Cora said.

The skipper stated that Mayer possesses the appropriate demeanor and comprehends his disappointment at not being selected for the team.

“He played well. He played good defense at different positions; the swing is on point. We had a good conversation when we sent him down,” he said.

“He’s just got to be patient. That’s the way it works. We’ve got some good players here.”

Cora said that the emergence of Campbell and the need for a right-handed bat factored into the decision of not adding Mayer out of camp.

“[Mayer] is very mature. He’s a good defender. He cares about defense,” Cora said. “He really does, which I love. It’s easy for him to play defense. Offensively, there’s a few things that we truly believe he needs to get better.”

Mayer played shortstop in the season opener and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He will also see starts at second base and third base with Worcester, giving him more positional versatility that could help his chances of being promoted.

"It’s important for him to play third, play second," Cora said, “And he played well. He played good defense in different positions. The swing is on point. We had a good conversation with him. Now, he didn’t cry (like Alomar). But yeah, I saw the interview."

Mayer ranks as the No. 15 prospect in the game, according to Baseball America. The California native is knocking on the door to the bigs but needs to be patient and get the at-bats needed in Triple-A before he makes the leap to the big leagues.

"It’s good that he feels that way, but he’s gotta be patient. That’s the way it works," Cora said. “We’ve got some good players here. I think obviously balance means a lot to us offensively. And I think obviously Hammy (David Hamilton) and KC (Kristian Campbell) are going to do a good job. But like I said before with him, yeah, an injury away probably from being in the big leagues. But I think it’s the other way around. They’re gonna push us to make decisions."

Polar Park is just 44 miles down the Mass Pike from Fenway Park. Mayer will get the chance to debut with the Red Sox. He’s close, but patience will be the key for the talented infielder.

“It's all baseball,” Mayer said. “Obviously, I know I'm close, but I still have to handle my [stuff] here.”