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MLB Rankings: Five Best Hitters 22 or Younger

By Edward Lennon

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 18: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he is doused with Gatorade after a game against the Baltimore Orioles on August 18, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 18: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he is doused with Gatorade after a game against the Baltimore Orioles on August 18, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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AL MVP, 2019 MLB season
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

3. Rafael Devers, 3B, BOS

If you look at Rafael Devers’ 2019 statistics, it is crazy to think he is not the best hitter 22 or younger. In his third season for the Red Sox, he was one of the best hitters in the American League.

Leading the American League in double, he also ranked fifth in batting average, fourth in RBI, second in runs scored and hits, and ninth in OPS. and slugging percentage. Only one other player recorded over 200 hits this season, the other being Whit Merrifield.

Devers did all that at the age of 22. It is a crime that he was not an All-Star this season, but there was so much competition at third base in July.

Despite the Boston Red Sox missing the playoffs, Devers is going to be high on many ballots for the AL Most Valuable Player award.
The American League East should be scared that Devers is only 22. He is going to be a pest for the whole entire league for a long time. He emerged as a superstar in 2019. He could be a favorite for the MVP award heading into the 2020 season.

Demonstrating both power and average at the plate, Devers is a dangerous threat and could be one of the best hitters in the game within the next few seasons.

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