Rafael Devers completed one thing a San Francisco Giants hitter hasn’t achieved in 24 seasons. With a first-inning double in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals, Devers grew to become the primary Large to have 35 doubles and 35 dwelling runs in a season since Jeff Kent in 2002.
A 35-homer, 35-double season has been achieved eight occasions in franchise historical past. MLB’s Sarah Langs posted all such seasons in Giants historical past.
The listing of gamers who’ve achieved this earlier than contains Mel Ott (1929), Willie Mays (1962), Willie McCovey (1973), Barry Bonds (1993 and 1998), Wealthy Aurilla (2001), and Jeff Kent (2002). That’s 4 Corridor of Famers and one of many best hitters of all-time.
Kent was not too long ago elected to the MLB Corridor of Fame this yr by way of the Period Committee.
Rafael Devers 2026 Season
The 2026 season has been a bit polarizing for Rafael Devers, who received off to a painfully gradual begin. In April, he hit simply .207 with a .537 OPS and a 48 wRC+.
Nevertheless, he’s since bounced again to have his typical season on the plate. In every of the following 4 months, he’s had an OPS of a minimum of .833 and a wRC+ of a minimum of 128. Devers has gotten scorching in September, hitting .391 with 5 dwelling runs in six video games.
His full-season slash line has recovered to .258/.338/.517 with 35 dwelling runs and a 133 wRC+ in 144 video games. That’s extra consistent with what the Giants anticipated after they acquired him in June 2025.
The Giants gave up fairly a haul, sending Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs III, and Jose Bello to the Boston Purple Sox. With Devers producing extra to expectations, the deal is wanting higher for San Francisco.
Giants Enter 2026 Offseason With Extra Questions than Solutions
Regardless of the sturdy manufacturing from Devers, the Giants haven’t had 2026 season. They entered this recreation with a 54-78 document and extra questions than solutions getting into the offseason.
Whereas the membership has many holes to deal with within the offseason, Devers will not be one in all them. As an alternative, he’ll enter his Age 30 season understanding that he’ll be the important thing bat of their lineup. They might have to determine his long-term defensive dwelling.
Devers nonetheless has seven years left on his contract. The Giants owe him $211 million for that stretch. They’ll want him to stay at his 2021-2026 offensive manufacturing ranges to justify the deal. That’s a mean of 32 dwelling runs and a 134 wRC+.
Like HEAVY’s content material? You should definitely observe us.
This text was initially printed on HEAVY
The submit Rafael Devers Joins Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent in Uncommon Giants Historical past Throughout Cardinals Recreation appeared first on HEAVY.