Red Sox to add prospect Ceddanne Rafaela to the 40-man roster (Report)
The Boston Red Sox are going to add prospect Ceddanne Rafaela to the 40-man roster, ahead of the 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday. The news was first reported by Twitter user @BostonStrong_34.
By adding Rafaela to the 40-man roster, he will be protected from the Rule 5 Draft in December.
The 22-year-old prospect was a face riser through the farm system in 2022.
This past season, the Curacao native enjoyed a stellar season at the plate for both High-A Greenville Drive and Double-A Portland Sea Dogs.
In 116 games, Rafaela hit .299 with 144 hits, 32 doubles, 10 triples, 21 homers, 86 RBIs, 28 stolen bases, while posting a .880 OPS.
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While there has been speculation as to what players the Red Sox would add to the 40-man roster, Rafaela is seen as a virtual lock.
According to Baseball America, Rafaela ranks as the No. 78 prospect in baseball. He already has been showcasing elite defense at both center field and shortstop.
This past season Rafaela was named Baseball America’s Red Sox 2022 Minor League Player of the Year. In addition, he was also part of MLB’s Future’s All-Star Game that was held in Los Angeles this past season.
“I truly believe this: You put him in the big leagues right now, he wins the Gold Glove as an outfielder,” said Red Sox infield coordinator Darren Fenster to the Boston Globe. “He’s not there yet as an infielder, but talent-wise and with some more reps and some more polish, he has Gold Glove potential as a shortstop as well. It’s wild the talent that this kid has.”
Rafaela will continue to rise through the Red Sox system and eventually call Fenway Park home, has enjoyed working hard while climbing the ranks.
“My ride with the Red sox has been great. I love it here. From the staff, to the players, it is great. Everything is great here. Moving up the rankings I don’t really let it get to my head, I stay humble and play my game and give it my all every single time I step on the field regardless if it practice or the actual game. It is an awesome feeling of getting closer to your goal, it’s impossible to explain, it’s like your hard work is paying off, the hard work is not done, but you get a little boost along the way. It’s just awesome,” Rafaela said to Beyond the Monster back in June.
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