Ceddanne Rafaela’s defense impresses Cooper Criswell and helps Red Sox to series win over the Astros
Ceddanne Rafaela has been playing both shortstop and center field this season, mainly due to the fact the team lost Trevor Story early on this year due to a shoulder injury. Inept play from others at the shortstop position forced manager Alex Cora’s hand into using the versatile Rafaela up the middle.
On Wednesday, Rafaela looked like a seasoned veteran at the position, starting behind Cooper Criswell, whom the Red Sox desperately needed innings out of against the Astros.
Rafaela fielded seven grounders at short in the Red Sox 4-1 win over the Astros; Boston would take two of three games in the series. In addition to making seven plays in the field, he also tagged out Yainer Diaz, who was attempting to steal second in the first inning.
“He’s a heck of an athlete, man,” said Criswell. “It’s almost like you expect something crazy from him every night defensively. I would say he’s one day going to win a Gold Glove out there, either in center or even at short.”
One of the key plays Rafaela made in the win over Houston came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when reliever Josh Winckowski faced Jeremy Peña with one out and a runner at first. Peña hit a slow roller to Rafaela, who had to charge the ball and range to his right to make the play. The athletic Rafaela made an off-balanced, cross-body throw to Triston Casas, who scooped his throw for the out.
“That’s amazing,” said Cora, who indicated Rafaela will remain at shortstop going forward. “It’s a testament to who he is, the athlete. Because there’s a lot of stuff that he does because he can do it. He’s athletic enough, but now, angles are better. Decision making is better because you’re getting more reps at the position.”
If Story was healthy, Rafaela would be the team’s center fielder, but despite some miscues at shortstop this season, the rookie has held down the fort all season long. Statcast shows Rafaela at nine runs below average at shortstop, the Red Sox don’t agree with that assessment and feel he’s a far better player at the position.
“He’s playing better and better, and he’s gonna play a lot of short the rest of the way,” Cora said. “That’s the tough part. We know how good he can be at short. We know how great he is in center field. But the moving around, it takes away from good jumps and being engaged. It takes him a while to do that. But he has been playing short a lot, and you can see him now. He’s making plays.”
Rafaela has played 61 games in center and 59 at short, including starting five of his last six games at short. He’s turned 29 double plays in 534 1/3 innings with nine errors, owning a .962 fielding percentage.
