Red Sox legend passes brutal judgement on 'out of shape' Rafael Devers amid disastrous performances in DH role

Modified Apr 01, 2025 17:52 GMT

MLB: Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers - Source: Imagn — Red Sox legend fat-shame Rafael Devers after disastrous performances in DH role (Credits: IMAGN)

Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers has had a dreadful start to the 2025 campaign after failing to get a hit in his opening five games of the season. Devers was unwillingly converted from the everyday third baseman into a full-time DH at the start of this season owing to his poor defensive metrics.

Jonathan Papelbon, a Boston Red Sox legend, blasted Rafael Devers on Sunday evening for being overweight, stating that it has resulted in his abysmal performance so far this year. He also suggested a weird analogy concerning pig farming 'to trim a little bit of fat' out of the left-handed hitter.

Papelbon was a guest analyst on NESN for their coverage of the final game of the opening series between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers. The former Red Sox closer gave a scathing criticism of Rafael Devers following another hitless outing from the DH.

"Maybe he is out of shape," Papelbon said on air. "Maybe we gotta trim a little bit of fat. Know what happens when you trim fat? Pigs squeal."

"You trim fat, pigs squeal. That's what you're looking for - your pigs to squeal. They hit home runs."

Expand Tweet

Devers ended the series against the Texas Rangers without a base hit. He couldn't open his tally for the season in the opening game of the road series against the Baltimore Orioles either.

Jonathan Papelbon played seven seasons for the Boston Red Sox, finishing as the runner-up for the 2006 American League Rookie of the Year. The flame-throwing right-hander closed out their World Series victory in 2007. Papelbon also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals and made six All-Star game appearances over his 12-year career.

"The swing is just a little bit behind": Jonathan Papelbon on Rafael Devers

Rafael Devers is playing purely as a DH for the Red Sox this season (Image Source: IMAGN)

Jonathan Papelbon also identified some shortcomings in Rafael Devers' technique inside the batter's box. Papelbon feels these are a product of Devers being out of shape.

"The front foot is getting down late," he said. "The front foot is not getting down early ready to hit. They're behind the fastballs, and they're swinging at breaking balls that are in the zone. The miles per hour on their swing speeds are down as well."

"Is it the shoulders? Is he in shape? To me, it looks like the swing is just a little bit behind," he added.

Devers was one of the best hitters for the Boston Red Sox last season, earning the third All-Star selection of his career. However, he is 0-19 through the first five games of this season, which also includes 15 strikeouts.

About the author

Paranjoy Goswami (Bobo) is a baseball reporter at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience writing with publications such as Eagle Bet, India Bet and Paradine.

He has provided full coverage, match previews and betting tips on major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, English Premier League, German Bundesliga, ICC World Cup, Indian Premier League and several others.

Bobo grew up supporting the Red Sox but has also been on the Phillies bandwagon for the past couple of years. He also roots for the St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners.

While he hasn't played much baseball, Bobo's fascination with the sport started with an 8-bit Nintendo game, where he picked up the basic rules. He started watching live MLB matches on TV about 20 years ago and his love for baseball just grew by leaps and bounds from then on.

Bobo's favorite player was probably Tim Wakefield as not only was he the best knuckleball pitcher of his time, but he was also a Red Sox legend, an outstanding team player and a great human being. Among the current generation, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper get the nod.

Bobo's favorite moment in baseball history was when the Red Sox beat the Yankees before breaking their World Series curse in 2004. That said, Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier was the most important.

Outside of baseball, Bobo's interests include literature, comics, world history, science fiction, satire, classic movies, PC games, pets, playing sports, cycling, traveling, sightseeing and quiet reflection.

Know More

Edited by nagpaltusharn25