Former Boston Red Sox legend and first-ballot Hall of Famer David Ortiz knows a thing or two about hitting a baseball. That is why when Ortiz speaks, people listen. The legendary slugger spoke about Red Sox star Rafael Devers on Thursday, offering a very bold take on the All-Star third baseman's ability to swing the bat. Here is Ortiz' take on Devers, per ESPN.

“When I first saw him a couple of years ago in the big leagues, I right away told the Red Sox, ‘You've got to let this guy in,'” Ortiz said. “Devers might be one of the top three pure hitters right now. Not ‘might,' because I'm 100 percent sure right now.”

First, Ortiz mentioned how when Devers, who was a top-five MLB prospect at one point, was in the minors, he would tell the club that they had to call him up. Then Ortiz dropped the bombshell.

He said that Devers is “one of the top three pure hitters right now”, saying he was “100 percent sure” about that. It's hard to argue with Big Papi here, as the Red Sox' 2022 All-Star third baseman is currently batting .325 with 19 homers and 51 RBI.

Devers ranks second in the majors in hits and third in batting average. There's a case to be made that he is indeed the best pure hitter in the big leagues.

That's why Ortiz also went on to say that the Red Sox “have got to keep Devers around”, referring to the long-term contract talks between the two.

Hopefully, the Red Sox heed his words.