At the plate, Rafael Devers often hits himself in the helmet when he fouls off a pitch down the middle. He shakes his head when a ball-strike call doesn't go his way, and he talks to himself in between almost every pitch.
Devers' animated approach to the game, as well as his incredible production, has earned him the 2019 Red Sox Heart and Hustle Award. The award, the only honor voted on by former players, is given to one player from each team who "(demonstrates) a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game."
The MLB Players Alumni Association nominates a player from each club before fans, alumni and active players select one overall winner. Reigning American League MVP Mookie Betts won the award last year, and other former winners include Mike Trout, Craig Biggio, Anthony Rizzo, Grady Sizemore and Dustin Pedroia. The final winner will be announced on November 7.
Devers, 22, is hitting .326/.380/.932 while driving in the third-most runs (66) in the AL. In the 16 games since Alex Cora moved Devers to second in the order, the third baseman is hitting .414 with a 1.246 OPS and five homers.
He's also improved his fielding, which has previously been the biggest knock on the young slugger.
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