The Red Sox activated young third baseman Rafael Devers from the 10-day disabled list, who had been sidelined with left shoulder inflammation. He’ll return to the lineup and the field after missing just the minimum ten days. To make room for him on the active roster, the club has elected to ship lefty Bobby Poyner back to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The 2018 season hasn’t been kind to the 21-year-old Devers. Though he impressed in his MLB debut last year with a .344 wOBA and 111 wRC+ across 240 plate appearances, this season has seen Devers’ bat go cold. His .242/.291/.424 slash line has been good for a wRC+ of just 87, though his 14 home runs at least prove that he’s shown some pop. All in all, Devers has still been worth 0.7 fWAR, but the Red Sox will surely be hoping he can deliver closer to his true potential as they try to maintain the majors’ best record in the second half.
That potential certainly is lofty, as Devers made a host of top prospect lists headed into the 2017 season. Notably, Baseball America described him as being “the top power-hitting prospect in the system, a future five- or six-hole hitter with plus power and above-average defense.” While their concerns about his aggressive approach have certainly proven valid so far considering a sub-.300 OBP, the reputation of his bat-to-ball skills suggests that his average is likely to improve as he continues to get more reps at the MLB level.
As for Poyner, he’s been shuttled back and forth between Boston and Pawtucket all season long. At the MLB level, he’s chucked 10 2/3 innings across ten appearances while striking out ten batters against just a single walk. He’s also allowed just a pair of earned runs. In Triple-A, Poyner owns a tidy 2.81 ERA across 25 2/3 innings to go with 9.82 K/9 against 2.81 BB/9. The lefty is a former 14th round pick of the Red Sox from the 2015 draft.
In limited duty, he’s been fine and he’ll be back.
Mike Moustakas
He’s still just 21! Can we have some patience please?
No, he needs to be shuttled up and down between the minors and then be on the roster for awhile playing once a week.
That’s how you get a real star.
Boston media cracks me up. The kid is 21 and holding his own in the ML. This kid will be a top 5 hitter in all of baseball by the time he is 26. His Minor league profile given his age at every level is sick. Remember that 940 OPS in AA/AAA in his 20 year old season….it is still in there.
Brett3333 = There have been hundreds of sick performances at AA & AAA that have led to players who couldn’t cut it. Devers is holding his own but his own what? He’s the worst 3B in baseball defensively and has nearly half the Red Sox errors. Each error often leads to a loss. He still can’t break .250 so why shouldn’t he be in AAA proving he belongs in the Majors? That’s what a good program would do. Stop handing out tickets to the dance without earning them. One good season in Double A as a hitter and he somehow has proven it:? At no level has he fielded well. Do we want a 21 year old DH when we have JD? No. So put him where he belongs, let him develop his skills and earn his way back. We were not hurting when he was on the DL. Our defense improved and we won nearly every game while he was gone, or at least every game Cora actually tried to win. Cora is content to win series not sweep series. Each series he gives one game away by setting a line-up full of back-ups. I hope those games we give away don’t come back to haunt us in October. Thank goodness the Yankees are so bad at putting away bad teams. Let’s hope that continues so Cora can keep resting our stars EVERY series.
One last point, in 5 years when he is 26 where will Trout, Betts, Benintendi, Acuna and Soto be? You are showing your Red Sox support by suggesting he’ll be a top 5 player but seriously, if he makes the top 50 by then I’ll be excited because it will mean he learned how to lay off bad pitches, walk and as long as we are pushing reality maybe he could learn to play 1B by then! It could happen!!.
Mouse is also a LHanded bat. Are you suggesting an even trade with Moose for Devers?Devers, as you probably know, has years of time whereas Moose is free in 2.5 months.
Wha would it take to get Merrifield Duffy and Moose? Devers, Houck, Ockimey and Castillo?
I don’t want to give up Houck but he’s from Missouri and is a very good prospect who is now pitching well @ A+ Salem.
I’m including Ockimey because ConnorSox likes him as well and he’s a good prospect–check him out @ Sox prospects or Portland Sea Dogs Roster.
Don’t really want to move Houck. Long time since Boston developed all the way and front type starter and that could be Houck. According to the Salem announcer.. His last game sat at 95 and touched higher. Had a sick slider and allowed no runs through believe was 6 innings. Has been getting better 1st full season in pros.
Really think team is set and has no needs for the haul. Pen still has Buttrey at Pawtucket who has never been tried as mop up emergency depth and Hembree can get more leverage situations, same with Workman. Key is stop giving them to Joe Kelly
They won’t do it, but Brian Dozier would be a nice upgrade over Eddie Nunez; Pedroia may not be back, and Brock Holt is a light-hitting utility man. But relief pitching ought to be the top priority for the Sox.
Zach Duke for Williams Jerez?