Red Sox prospect Tyler Dearden on playing with Ceddanne Rafaela: 'He's unbelievable for a guy that size to hit for power, he makes the game look so easy'
Red Sox prospect Tyler Dearden had an opportunity to play with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs last season. The New Jersey native made the jump to the Sea Dogs last season and it was the biggest challenge he faced as a professional.
“The biggest jump for me has been Double-A,” said Dearden in an exclusive interview with Beyond the Monster. “Throughout this season, I had to make a couple of adjustments. I tried to stick to my approach and what I felt confident in. I have had to make minor adjustments at each level, but Double-A has challenged me the most.”
The 24-year-old also had the opportunity to play alongside another fast riser in the Red Sox system. Dearden played with Ceddanne Rafaela who turned heads all season with his flashy play with his glove and his similarities to Mookie Betts.
“My first year when I got drafted, they sent us over to the Dominican Republic for like a week of, it was part of instructs. I actually met him [Rafaela] there and I thought he was a really good player then. I got to see him in Spring Training and this was the first year I played with him,” said Dearden.
“I saw him play this Spring Training and I was like wow this guy is pretty good.”
Rafaela tore it up for Greenville, he hit .330 with four homers, 36 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, 17 doubles, 65 hits and a .962 OPS. Those numbers prompted a promotion to Portland where he excelled.
“I obviously heard about him doing damage in Greenville, doing everything and then watching him come up to Portland and getting to play alongside of him in the outfield.
“I think that’s the most impressive thing watching him play the outfield, you know a ball up and if it’s in the park he’s going to catch it, it’s absurd. He’s unbelievable for a guy that size to hit for power and just do everything he does, he makes the game look so easy,” added Dearden.
Rafaela was named Baseball America’s 2022 Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year. The 22-year-old has quickly turned himself into one of the most highly regarded prospects in the game.
Between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland this season, Rafaela batted .299/.342/.538 (134 wRC+) with 32 doubles, 10 triples, 21 home runs, 86 RBIs, 82 runs scored, 28 stolen bases, 26 walks, and 113 strikeouts over 116 total games.
“I definitely try and watch him in the outfield for sure, I want to become a better defender and I don’t think there’s anyone better to watch than him.
“Just watching his first step and the way he goes after the ball, his reads off the bat. Watching him in batting practice going to catch everything.”
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.