Ceddanne Rafaela showcased his versatility and power during first MLB stint
After years of anticipation, Ceddanne Rafaela finally made his MLB debut on August 28. While the Red Sox’s playoffs quickly faded during September, the play of Rafaela was one of the few bright spots. As the Red Sox enter an offseason full of uncertainty, the Curaçaoan native is one of the building blocks that has provided optimism for the future.
In 28 games with the Red Sox, the 23-year-old posted a .241 batting average while driving in five runs. Eight of his 20 hits went for extra bases, including six doubles. Although those numbers don’t mirror his output from the minors, Rafaela provided a spark to the lineup at times.
While Rafaela was solid at the plate, his defense did not disappoint. The talented outfielder added a few diving catches to his resume. His versatility was also on display as he made appearances at second base, shortstop, and centerfield. In 172.3 innings in the field, he only committed one error despite playing a different position almost every night.
Additionally, his ability to play multiple positions is a valuable asset and will open up playing time in the future.
When asked in early September about where Rafaela will play long term, Alex Cora told reporters, “The fact that he can be versatile (opens up multiple possibilities). The second base part of it is real. We believe he can do it, too. It’s just a matter of whether we play him there in September. But versatility is a big part of this game. It helps your roster. He’s a good defender at short, at center field, and other positions.”
After a little more than a month in the majors, Rafaela’s focus heading into spring training will be to improve defensively while making minor changes offensively.
In his last 15 games of the season, he posted a .185 batting average and struck out 16 times. If he can be more consistent at the plate, it will be hard for Alex Cora to keep him out of the lineup.
Although the Red Sox only got a glimpse of what Rafaela can do, his track record in the minors suggests he will be an impactful player going forward. With his first MLB stint under his belt, Rafaela should only improve next year.
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