Rafael Devers’ splash hit into McCovey Cove on Wednesday put him on the verge of joining Barry Bonds in San Francisco Giants history.
Rafael Devers continued rewriting the San Francisco Giants’ record books Wednesday, even as another remarkable individual performance was overshadowed by a brutal team loss.
San Francisco carried a six-run advantage into the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at home before collapsing in a 10-9 defeat.
A historic campaign
Devers nevertheless made history with another display of the power that has become particularly prominent recently.
The 29-year-old launched a two-run home run in the fifth inning, sending the ball out of Oracle Park and into McCovey Cove.
At the time, It marked his third consecutive game with a home run and increased his season total to 29.
Devers is now one home run away from becoming only the second Giants player since 2005 to reach 30 in a season.
Willy Adames became the first during that span when he reached the mark on the final day of last season.
Devers consequently has an opportunity to eventually produce the highest single-season total by a Giants player during a period that includes a couple of Barry Bonds’ seasons and three World Series for San Francisco.
His production at Oracle Park has been equally significant.
Devers has hit 17 home runs there this season, the most by a Giants player since Bonds connected for 26 in 2004.
Devers and Bonds, who accomplished the feat five times, are the only Giants players to reach that total at Oracle Park or under any of the ballpark’s previous names.
Devers has also climbed another franchise list involving Bonds.
Through his first 224 games with San Francisco, Devers has 49 home runs, putting him second in Giants history behind Bonds’ 61 and just ahead of Willie Mays.
Although Devers is not producing a Bonds-like overall season, he remains within reach of another personal milestone.
Devers, a three-time All-Star and member of the Boston Red Sox team that won the 2018 World Series, also has 76 RBIs and 75 runs scored in 504 at-bats across 134 games this season. With a .248/.326/.486 slash line.
Devers’ upside
Devers’ greatest offensive quality remains his ability to change a game with one swing.
Devers combines natural power with the confidence to attack pitches he believes he can drive, making him dangerous even when he is not controlling every plate appearance.
He also brings proven experience as a centerpiece of a lineup. Just like Logan Webb does for the pitching staff.
His background in Boston exposed him to postseason pressure, World Series expectations and the responsibility that accompanies being one of a team’s most important hitters.
That presence matters for San Francisco.
Devers gives the Giants a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat along Bryce Eldridge, capable of punishing mistakes and altering how opposing pitchers navigate the lineup.
