Record-Breaking Slump: Devers struck out 12 times in the first four games of the 2025 season, the most by any MLB player in history through their team's first four games. He went 0-for-16 at the plate during this stretch.
Previous Record: The prior record was 11 strikeouts in four games, shared by Brent Rooker (2024), Ronald Acuña Jr. (2020), Byron Buxton (2017), and Brett Wallace (2013).
Positional Shift: Devers moved from his career-long position at third base to become the full-time Designated Hitter (DH) following the offseason signing of Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman.
Limited Preparation: Devers had only 15 plate appearances in Spring Training after rehabbing shoulder issues from the previous season.
Struggles at the Plate: Beyond the strikeouts, metrics show Devers whiffing on 67.4% of his swings and failing to make contact on 75% of swings against fastballs in the early going.
Why this matters: A slow start from a key offensive player like Devers impacts the Red Sox's run production. His adjustment to the DH role and ability to regain his timing are crucial for Boston's success and his own performance trajectory after signing a long-term deal primarily as a third baseman.
Rafael Devers's start to the 2025 season is historically poor. His 12 strikeouts and 0-for-16 performance through four games signify a significant struggle for the typically potent hitter. This rough patch coincides with a major shift in his role. After signing a 10-year extension intended to keep him at third base long-term, the Red Sox acquired Alex Bregman, citing Devers's defensive metrics (-34 Outs Above Average from 2020-24) as a key reason for the move. Bregman, conversely, boasted +17 OAA in the same period.
While Devers expressed a preference to remain at third, he publicly stated the move to DH isn't the cause of his struggles, saying he feels "comfortable at the plate." However, manager Alex Cora identified potential mechanical issues, noting Devers isn't "grounded," affecting his timing, particularly against fastballs – a pitch he's missing at an alarming rate (75% whiff rate on swings). His limited spring training reps (15 PA) due to shoulder rehab likely also contribute to the timing issues.
The high whiff rate (67.4%) and large number of swings and misses (31, highest in MLB through four games) underscore the depth of the problem. While it's early in the season, the veteran needs to make adjustments quickly.
Who This Affects Most:
Rafael Devers: His confidence, season stats, and potentially his long-term comfort with the DH role are impacted.
Boston Red Sox: The team relies on Devers's bat in the middle of the lineup; his slump creates a significant offensive hole.
Fantasy Baseball Owners: Managers who drafted Devers high are currently receiving no production from a key player.
How to Prepare (Guidance for Fans/Observers):
Patience: Baseball seasons are long. Star players often endure slumps and recover. Monitor his adjustments over the coming weeks.
Watch for Mechanical Tweaks: Pay attention to reports or visible changes in Devers's stance or swing, as indicated by manager Alex Cora's comments.
Context is Key: Remember the positional shift and limited spring training as contributing factors, not just a sudden decline in skill.
Q: Why did Rafael Devers move from third base to DH?
A: The Red Sox signed Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman in the offseason. Despite Devers's preference to stay at third, the team opted for Bregman's superior defense at the position, moving Devers to DH. Devers ranked poorly in defensive metrics like Outs Above Average in recent years.
Q: Is it common for star players to start a season this poorly?
A: While slumps happen, striking out 12 times in the first four games is unprecedented in MLB history. It's an unusually severe start, though many players have recovered from early-season struggles.
Rafael Devers has set an MLB record for strikeouts (12) through the first four games of a season.
His struggles coincide with a move to DH and limited spring training reps.
Key issues appear to be timing and connecting with fastballs.
While concerning, it's very early in the season, and adjustments are expected.
The situation impacts Devers, the Red Sox lineup, and fantasy baseball managers.
This is a historically rough start for a player of Devers's caliber. Do you think the move to DH is affecting him more than he lets on, or is it just a matter of regaining his timing after a disrupted offseason?
Do you think this trend will last? Let us know!
*Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!*
MLB.com: Devers' 2025 campaign off to historically rough start (Note: Link is hypothetical based on article text)
Defector: Spare A Thought For Baseball’s Poor Flailing Bozos (Note: Link is hypothetical based on article text)
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