Giants insider evaluates how Rafael Devers fits with Tony Vitello's approach

Joining the Giants in mid-June in what was arguably the biggest move of the trade deadline, Rafael Devers enjoyed a strong first season at Oracle Park. In 90 games for San Francisco, the Dominican batted .236 with 79 hits, 20 home runs and 51 RBIs.

Earlier in the offseason, the Giants announced the hire of Tony Vitello as the new manager, replacing Bob Melvin. Set to coach in the majors for the first time after a superb stint with the Tennessee Volunteers at the collegiate level, Vitello has no prior experience of working with Spanish-speaking players.

On Monday's episode of "Splash Hit Territory", insider Susan Slusser claimed Vitello's "people skills" might prove key in helping him get past the language barrier and establish a rapport with Rafael Devers.

"We've heard from guys like Logan Webb, and a few other guys have weighed in on their thougts on Vitello. But we don't yet know what Devers is thinking," Slusser said. (23:40) "Vitello has not had Spanish-speaking players, he has not dealt with a superstar major league player before. I still haven't talked to him or met him, but he (Vitello) sounds like such a people person.

"I don't think this is really going to be an issue. Spring training is so long, this is one of the things it's for, getting to know everybody. That's one of the things Devers didn't have last year. This spring for many reasons is huge for him, but among them getting to know not just Vitello but the whole staff. Jayce Tinger (Giants bench coach) speaks Spanish, so I think he's going to be a real key."

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"Rafael Devers is really the key" - insider backs three-time All-Star to impress in 2026

Later in the same video, Susan Slusser commended Rafael Devers' quality, and backed him to impress in 2026 after enjoying a full spring training with the Giants.

"This guy is such a talent," Slusser said. "He's the kind of guy the Giants have shown time and time again they cannot sign on the open market. That's huge (getting him via a trade).

"I don't want to overstate this, but Rafael Devers is really the key for everything for the Giants. They are a team that had a subpar offense last year. They're going to have him for the whole year and he will be comfortable after a full spring training."

Colorado Rockies v San Francisco Giants - Source: Getty

Fans will hope to see Devers enjoy a solid year in 2026, as the Giants look to get back into the postseason for the first time since 2021.