Rafael Devers, the Boston Red Sox’s three-time All-Star, is off to a historically rough start in the 2025 MLB season. Known for his consistent hitting prowess, Devers has found himself in an unprecedented slump, striking out at a record pace. This alarming trend has not only affected his performance but has also contributed to the Red Sox’s early struggles.
Let’s dive into the details of Devers’ challenging start and what it might mean for the rest of the season.
The Historic Slump: By the Numbers
Devers’ first five games of the 2025 season have been nothing short of a nightmare. Here’s a breakdown of his performances:
- Game 1: 0-for-4, three strikeouts
- Game 2: 0-for-4, four strikeouts
- Game 3: 0-for-4, three strikeouts, one walk, one RBI
- Game 4: 0-for-4, two strikeouts, one walk
- Game 5: 0-for-3, three strikeouts, two walks
In these games, Devers became the first player to strike out 10 times in a team’s first three games of a season. He also set records with 12 strikeouts in four games and 15 strikeouts in five games, breaking the previous record of 13 held by Pat Burrell (2001) and Byron Buxton (2017).
Comparing to Past Slumps
To understand the gravity of Devers’ slump, it’s essential to compare it to other historical performances. Since the designated hitter (DH) role was introduced in 1973, only three DHs have started a season with a longer hitless streak than Devers’ 0-for-19:
- Don Baylor (1982 Angels): 0-for-20
- Evan Gattis (2015 Astros): 0-for-23
- Curtis Terry (2021 Rangers): 0-for-20
While Baylor and Gattis managed to bounce back to have decent seasons, Terry’s career never quite took off. Expanding beyond the DH position, only seven players in the wild-card era (since 1995) have started a season hitless in at least 20 plate appearances through five games, including Hall of Famer Craig Biggio and J.D. Drew. However, none of these players struck out as frequently as Devers has.
Strikeout Comparisons
When examining players who struck out at least 25 times through their first 15 games, Devers is likely to rank high on this list. Seventeen players have achieved this dubious milestone, with Yoan Moncada and Miguel Sano topping the list at 29 strikeouts each in 2018. Despite their high strikeout rates, these players averaged a .767 OPS and 20 home runs for the season.
Among them, Matt Olson had an exceptional season in 2023, hitting 53 home runs despite striking out 25 times in the first 15 games. Giancarlo Stanton also had a strong season in 2018 with 38 home runs, although his strikeout rate increased significantly. This raises concerns for Devers, as many players who started with high strikeout rates saw a decline in their overall performance compared to previous seasons.
Potential Causes for Devers’ Struggles
Several factors could be contributing to Devers’ early-season woes:
Position Change
Devers made headlines during spring training when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, a Gold Glove-winning third baseman. Devers, who had been promised the third base position when he signed his $331 million extension in January 2023, expressed his reluctance to move to the DH role. Although he eventually agreed to do whatever would help the team, the situation created some tension.
Injury Concerns
Devers spent the offseason rebuilding strength in both shoulders after dealing with soreness and inflammation throughout 2024. He didn’t play the field during spring training and had just 15 plate appearances, which might have left him rusty. Statcast metrics show a decline in his average bat speed from 72.5 mph in 2024 to 70.3 mph in 2025, down from 73.4 mph in 2023. His “fast-swing rate” also dropped from 34.2% in 2023 to 12.2% in 2025.
Technical Adjustments
Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned that Devers had made alterations with his foot placement, which might be affecting his ability to catch up to fastballs. Devers himself acknowledged that he needs to get used to his new position and that he feels good overall.
What Lies Ahead for Devers and the Red Sox?
While it’s still early in the season, Devers’ historic slump has raised concerns among Red Sox fans and analysts alike.
The team’s 1-4 start has not helped matters, especially with high preseason expectations.
However, history shows that even players who start the season with significant slumps can bounce back and have productive seasons.
As Cora pointed out, if this slump had occurred in July or August, it might not have garnered as much attention.
The key for Devers and the Red Sox will be to make the necessary adjustments and find their rhythm.
Whether it’s getting more comfortable in the DH role, addressing any lingering injury issues, or fine-tuning his swing mechanics, Devers has the talent and track record to overcome this rough patch.
For more detailed insights into Rafael Devers’ historic slump and its implications, you can read the full article on ESPN.
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