Rafael Devers Becomes Youngest Red Sox Player in History With 200-Hit Season After Double in 7th
By Michael Luciano
In a year without much to celebrate for the Boston Red Sox, third baseman Rafael Devers has emerged as one of the best corner infielders in the game.
Devers clubbed his AL-best 54th double this season, and this latest two-bagger was hit No. 200 for Devers on the season. Playing for a franchise that spawned Ted Williams and Carl Yaztremski, Devers somehow became the youngest player in franchise history to reach the 200 hit plateau.
Rafael Devers has recorded the 28th 200-hit season in Red Sox history. He is the franchise’s youngest player ever to accomplish the feat.
— Red Sox Notes (@SoxNotes) September 29, 2019
He is the 17th player since 1900 with 200+ hits in a season before turning 23 (most recent: Starlin Castro-2011, Alex Rodriguez-1996).
In addition to his 200 hits, Devers hit .308 with 32 home runs and 115 RBI, as he helped keep the Boston offense humming despite declines from Mookie Betts, JD Martinez, and Andrew Benintendi.
The Red Sox might want to cut payroll this offseason, but management has discussed giving Devers a contract extension, which should be the biggest vote of confidence imaginable given the state of the team.
.@Rafael_Devers now has 90 extra-base hits on the season, putting him in elite company for his age. pic.twitter.com/KsSWyciIGL
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 29, 2019
Devers has become an elite offensive player this season, and should man the hot corner in Boston for the forseeable future.