Red Sox skipper Alex Cora provides plan for Ceddanne Rafaela
The Red Sox tapped into Ceddanne Rafaela’s versatility last season, utilizing his athleticism at both shortstop and in center field. He saw 82 games at shortstop after Trevor Story went down with a shoulder injury at the beginning of the season and 87 in center field.
The 24-year-old put on a clinic in the outfield, showing off his speed and creating web gems in the outfield. The advanced numbers on FanGraphs showed that Rafaela was much better in the outfield than at shortstop. Rafaela was plus-12 in defensive runs saved at center field but a minus-2 at shortstop, per FanGraphs, and he also was a plus-six in outs above average in center field compared to a minus-7 in the infield.
He also saw time at second base as well last season, playing 45 innings at second base and seven innings over at the hot corner, third base.
Knowing that he has the versatility to play anywhere on the baseball diamond is an asset for the Red Sox again heading into the 2025 season. Red Sox skipper Alex Cora laid out his vision for Rafaela on Wednesday from camp down in Fort Myers, Fla.
“He’s going to play (there) a lot. Most of his repetitions in spring training are going to be in center field,” Cora told reporters. “Most of his repetitions in spring training are going to be in center field.”
With Rafaela essentially tabbed as the starting center fielder, Boston can continue utilizing Jarren Duran in left field and center as needed, and AL Gold Glove winner Wilyer Abreu can remain in right field.
The Red Sox have more infield depth that's big league ready versus previous seasons, allowing them to utilize others in the infield and keep Rafaela and his electric glove in the outfield for the 2025 season.
