Rafael Devers speaks as Mike Krukow delivers truth bomb on struggling SF Giants slugger

After making headlines for not talking to the media, SF Giants slugger Rafael Devers finally talked to reporters on Thursday. He didn’t say all that much, but at least he somewhat addressed his struggles.

When asked about how he hasn’t been his usual self at the plate, Devers said: “There’s no reason to be frustrated. It’s my job. Every baseball player goes through ups and downs. That’s the only thing I know how to do. And I do believe in myself that eventually I’m going to get out of this funk.”

Devers denies frustration, but he has to be

He has to be frustrated, though. He broke his bat a few weeks ago and entering the first game on Thursday’s doubleheader Devers was hitting .211/.250/.298 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in. He’s struck out 37 times and walked just six times.

The walk number is the most alarming stat and Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow delivered a hard truth on Devers in a recent KNBR appearance:

“There’s one guy in the Giants lineup that pitchers don’t respect right now and that’s Devers. He has swung through so many fastballs that are out over the plate— belt high, and he’s swinging through them. It’s hard to explain,” Krukow said of Devers.

He’s absolutely right. Devers should be the guy in the order that opposing pitchers are afraid of. He’s not going to be intentionally walked like Barry Bonds, but pitchers shouldn’t be comfortable just throwing him fastballs down the middle. He just hasn’t been able to keep up with fastballs and it’s bizarre to watch. The Giants swung that huge trade with the Boston Red Sox because Devers could hit, but his numbers since joining San Francisco are just not very good.

Devers hit .236/.347/.460 with 20 homers and 51 RBI after joining San Francisco last season. Those numbers are down from his career average but the Giants would kill for that sort of production right about now.

It just feels like Devers is putting too much pressure on himself right now. He’s clearly in his head and trying to do too much. The same can probably be said for Matt Chapman and Willy Adames which makes sense since those are the three highest-paid guys on the team. They all want to justify those big contracts but they can’t try to be heroes every night.

Devers will figure it out. He’s always been a slow starter so this has happened before. The Giants just have to be patient and hope he can work through it. If he doesn’t, the trade will look like a disaster especially with what Kyle Harrison is doing right now, but it’s a long way away until a final verdict can be reached.

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