Sports
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Devers' Historic Slump: 0-for-19, 15 Ks to Start 2025
Devers' Historic Slump: 15 Strikeouts, 0 Hits to Start 2025 Season
Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers is off to a historically disastrous start to the 2025 season, posting a 0-for-19 record with 15 strikeouts through his team's first five games. This unprecedented slump has shattered the previous record of 13 strikeouts through five games, previously held by Pat Burrell (2001) and Byron Buxton (2017). Devers' struggles extend beyond the beginning of the current season; he also ended 2024 on a 1-for-15 slump with 11 strikeouts in his final four games.
The 28-year-old three-time All-Star, known for his powerful hitting, has seen a significant drop in his bat speed, from 72.5 mph in 2024 to 70.3 mph in 2025. His fast-swing rate has also plummeted from 34.2% in 2023 to 12.2% in 2025. Manager Alex Cora attributes some of Devers’ struggles to altered foot placement, hindering his ability to catch up to fastballs. Devers himself acknowledges adjusting to his new role as designated hitter (DH), a position he’s never held full-time. His spring training was also limited due to shoulder rehabilitation.
Devers’ historically poor start is not without precedent; three DHs since 1973 experienced longer hitless streaks, but none with a comparable number of strikeouts. While some players on a similar hitless streak went on to have successful seasons, none experienced such a high strikeout rate as Devers. Even comparing him to players with high strikeout counts in their first 15 games, Devers' current pace sets him apart. While a small sample size, the Red Sox and Devers are understandably concerned, especially considering his past success.
The Red Sox's overall performance has also suffered, starting the season 1-4. Their top three hitters – Devers, Jarren Duran, and Alex Bregman – have combined for a dismal .177 batting average. Devers' struggles are compounded by his public display of reluctance to move from third base to DH in spring training, following the Red Sox’s signing of Gold Glove winner Alex Bregman. Despite Devers eventually agreeing to the DH role, the situation created tension and uncertainty.
While Devers maintains a positive outlook, asserting that he feels good at the plate and is confident in a turnaround, his historic slump is undeniable. The Red Sox will hope for an immediate improvement, and the team’s manager Alex Cora notes that a similar slump later in the season would receive less attention. The coming days will be crucial in determining the longevity of this unprecedented slump.
Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers is off to a historically disastrous start to the 2025 season, posting a 0-for-19 record with 15 strikeouts through his team's first five games. This unprecedented slump has shattered the previous record of 13 strikeouts through five games, previously held by Pat Burrell (2001) and Byron Buxton (2017). Devers' struggles extend beyond the beginning of the current season; he also ended 2024 on a 1-for-15 slump with 11 strikeouts in his final four games.
The 28-year-old three-time All-Star, known for his powerful hitting, has seen a significant drop in his bat speed, from 72.5 mph in 2024 to 70.3 mph in 2025. His fast-swing rate has also plummeted from 34.2% in 2023 to 12.2% in 2025. Manager Alex Cora attributes some of Devers’ struggles to altered foot placement, hindering his ability to catch up to fastballs. Devers himself acknowledges adjusting to his new role as designated hitter (DH), a position he’s never held full-time. His spring training was also limited due to shoulder rehabilitation.
Devers’ historically poor start is not without precedent; three DHs since 1973 experienced longer hitless streaks, but none with a comparable number of strikeouts. While some players on a similar hitless streak went on to have successful seasons, none experienced such a high strikeout rate as Devers. Even comparing him to players with high strikeout counts in their first 15 games, Devers' current pace sets him apart. While a small sample size, the Red Sox and Devers are understandably concerned, especially considering his past success.
The Red Sox's overall performance has also suffered, starting the season 1-4. Their top three hitters – Devers, Jarren Duran, and Alex Bregman – have combined for a dismal .177 batting average. Devers' struggles are compounded by his public display of reluctance to move from third base to DH in spring training, following the Red Sox’s signing of Gold Glove winner Alex Bregman. Despite Devers eventually agreeing to the DH role, the situation created tension and uncertainty.
While Devers maintains a positive outlook, asserting that he feels good at the plate and is confident in a turnaround, his historic slump is undeniable. The Red Sox will hope for an immediate improvement, and the team’s manager Alex Cora notes that a similar slump later in the season would receive less attention. The coming days will be crucial in determining the longevity of this unprecedented slump.
