Rafael Devers Is 17 Games Into His Major-League Career And Already Getting Intentionally Walked

It’s now been nearly three weeks since Red Sox top prospect Rafael Devers got the call to the big leagues, moving on up at the ripe ol’ age of 20 after spending just nine games at Triple-A. It’s gone better than the team ever could have hoped. In his first 16 major-league games, Devers has hit .339/.397/.677. He has six home runs, including the only one allowed by Aroldis Chapman this year. And tonight, he showed that he’s at least established himself as respected enough to earn his very first intentional walk.

The call was a smart one by the Cardinals—with one out, runners on second and third, and a slumping Xander Bogaerts waiting in the on-deck circle. In that situation, walking a guy as hot as Devers makes perfect sense. (It backfired, with Bogaerts singling to drive in a runner and the next four batters recording hits as part of an eight-run inning, but they tried.)

Devers also participated in his first triple play tonight. Pretty good week for the guy!