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Giants’ Rafael Devers Struggles Deepen With Bat-Speed Drop and Fastball Woes

A multi-year bat-speed decline with severe fastball whiffs now raises costly roster questions for San Francisco.

Overview

  • Devers has opened 2026 with a .207 average, two home runs, and an OPS around .537 that ranks at or near the bottom among qualified MLB hitters, with his WAR dipping below zero.
  • His average bat speed has fallen for four straight seasons from 73.4 mph in 2023 to 71.2 mph in 2026, a slide analysts say points to more than a short slump.
  • He is getting beaten by four-seam fastballs, hitting .146 with a 51.1% whiff rate and a 59.5% strikeout rate on that pitch, and his overall strikeout rate sits around 30% for a new career high.
  • The Giants still owe Devers roughly $226 million through 2033 with deferred money beyond, which limits trade options and complicates playing time for top prospect Bryce Eldridge at the same corner spot.
  • San Francisco owns one of MLB’s weakest offenses by runs, power, walks, and steals, and fellow big-ticket addition Willy Adames is also scuffling with a sub-.200 average and light production.