At the onset of spring training, Red Sox’s manager Alex Cora made it clear that if Ceddanne Rafaela secured a spot on the team straight out of camp, it would be as the starting center fielder. Cora emphasized that otherwise, Rafaela would begin the season in the minor leagues to further his growth.
By Saturday, Cora confirmed Rafaela’s position with the Sox, announcing he would indeed join the team for the season opener in Seattle in 2024.
This decision places Rafaela predominantly in center field, with Tyler O’Neill, Wilyer Abreu, and Jarren Duran managing the corner positions. Masataka Yoshida will primarily be the designated hitter (DH), although he will also contribute occasionally.
Cora praised Rafaela’s dynamic and versatile athletic ability, as well as his character, during a press briefing in Fort Myers. Entering Saturday’s game, the 23-year-old Rafaela showcased a promising performance in the Grapefruit League, boasting a .275 batting average, .327 on-base percentage, and .434 slugging percentage across 19 games. His stats included six doubles, three home runs, and eight RBIs.
The Red Sox were particularly keen on observing Rafaela’s plate discipline and decision-making in swinging. Despite walking only four times, he struck out just 12 times in 51 at-bats, showing significant improvement in avoiding pitches outside the strike zone.
Recognized for his defensive prowess both in center field and at shortstop, Rafaela has not played shortstop this spring. However, the team has experimented with him at second base, a position he might occupy occasionally, especially as the Red Sox anticipate the return of a fully fit Vaughn Grissom. In the interim, Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes will predominantly cover second base duties.
Rafaela’s exceptional speed is another highlight, with 87 stolen bases accumulated over his last three minor league seasons. In his 28 games with the major league team last year, he recorded a .241 batting average, .281 on-base percentage, and .386 slugging percentage, along with two home runs and five RBIs.
With Rafaela’s inclusion, the team faces one last decision regarding position players: choosing between Bobby Dalbec or C.J. Cron for the roster spot as the backup first baseman or right-handed bat off the bench.