The Boston Red Sox are steamrolling through the MLB, 14-5 in their last 19. Their resurgence was unprecedented, with their climb to success getting them closer and closer to third in the division. Their bats are on fire, and with Wacha’s complete game against the Angels, things are looking up.

Of the bright spots that scatter across Boston’s roster, the one shining bright like the North Star is Rafael Devers. His bat is ridiculous, he’s an improved defender, and he is one of the catalysts to the newfound Boston success. If we see Boston continue to move up the power rankings, Devers will move up the MVP rankings with them.

At the Plate

Oct 15, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) hits a single against the Houston Astros during the first inning in game one of the 2021 ALCS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Devers, one of the best batting teams in Baseball, is playing out of his mind. He’s ranked 15th in home runs, outranking some of the best hitters in baseball like Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton. He’s 26th in RBIs, with a respectable 31, placing him ahead of most of the league.

Most surprisingly, Devers ranks first in hits and 5th in batting average at .339. Being near or at the top of almost every major statistical offensive category is unbelievable, as he keeps hitting lights out.

Defensive Ability

Dever’s defense is no laughing matter. Although not as good as his hitting, Devers is making a positive impact on the infield. He leads all third basemen in putouts and is tied for 3rd in double plays turned at the position.

His fielding percentage is high, and at .964, it puts him at 8th in his position. He is proving himself as a two-way player, and his value improves every time he steps on the diamond.

Improvement

One of the most impressive parts of Dever’s season is how much he has improved from last year and seasons prior. He’s on track to record personal bests in batting average, home runs, hits, total bases, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.

Almost every single major batting category is his best ever, along with a personal best in fielding percentage, Devers has made leaps and bounds since his debut at Fenway. His play is unmatched at almost every level, and he is helping lead Boston to victory.

His Case for MVP

MVP is not a one-stat award. You need versatility, flexibility, and consistency. Rafael Devers has these traits. He has consistently shown his ability to hit the ball, and his worst weeks still have him batting above league average. He hits the ball almost every game, he gets around the bases, and he helps the team score runs at a pace that almost no one else does.

He’s a spark plug, a jumpstart to what was a lacking offense. This Boston team would not be the team it is without Devers. If Devers can bring them to the next level and carry them on a Celtics type of run, this team can be very special.

When Devers succeeds, this team succeeds. An MVP is not a loser’s award. Not only does Devers own the plate, but he produces on defense and gets the Red Sox crucial wins. Rafael Devers has a strong case for the AL MVP, and at the rate this team is going, he’ll be number 1 on a lot of boards in months to come.