Rafael Devers Hits 30th Home Run to Join Exclusive Company in Franchise History

The San Francisco Giants made their fans wait for their first series sweep of the season, but no one could have predicted it would be from a series that originally began earlier this season. The Giants took down the Atlanta Braves in a one-game showdown Monday night, forcing their winning ways to two straight.

To get the party started, Giants first baseman Rafael Devers sent a ball deep into the right-field bleachers, notching his 30th home run of the season. Devers not only continues to look like the player he was in Boston with the Red Sox, but he is also starting to join the franchise's history books.

Devers' home run made him just the fifth player since 1980 to hit 30 or more home runs in a Giants uniform. The rankings are below, according to Underdog MLB on X (formerly Twitter).

Barry Bonds x5
Jeff Kent x2
Rich Aurilia
Willy Adames
Rafael Devers

Devers becomes just the second left-handed-hitting Giant to hit 30 or more home runs in a season, also joining Barry Bonds, who accomplished the feat 12 different times in his career.

To add to that, Devers and Willy Adames are the first players for San Francisco to hit 30+ home runs in back-to-back seasons since 2005. For a player who began the season incredibly slow, Devers is looking like the player that the Giants wished for from the trade with Boston, and a clear player to build the future around.

Did Devers' 30 Home Run Season Go for Not?

Rafael Devers. — San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers (16) reacts after hitting a home run. Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Obviously, the Giants aren't going to make the postseason this season. Regardless of the victory over the Giants, they still have a 57-81 record. One loss guarantees a losing season for San Francisco, but Devers has performed like a player who should be on a winning team.

So, the question remains: Is 2026 a 'wasted season' for Devers? The individual accomplishment shouldn't be the focal point, as any player with these numbers should feel proud, but would he put up these kinds of numbers if San Francisco were in the mix?

Devers has proven to be a player who will always hit for power, surpassing 30+ home runs in five seasons of his career. In the other four seasons in which he reached the feat, the Red Sox finished with a winning record twice (not including 2025 before the trade) and made the playoffs once (2023).

If the Giants can have a quick turnaround in 2027 (should there be baseball), can Devers hit 30 or more home runs to get San Francisco back to the playoffs? Or did he hit too many for a losing campaign in 2026?

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