Ceddanne Rafaela has been awesome for the Red Sox

Ceddanne Rafaela has been awesome for the Red Sox

Ceddanne Rafaela has been a key figure in the youth movement for the Boston Red Sox. Rafaela has been an absolute spark plug. If he keeps up this level of production he could run away with the AL Rookie of The Year Award.

In 88 games this year, Rafaela has a slash line of .247/.423/.697, leading all rookies in hits (88), triples (4), RBIs (51) and runs (44). He’s second in home runs with 11, just behind Baltimore’s Colten Cowser’s 12. All this production comes at the bottom of the Red Sox batting order as he has played 80 games batting 7th or later. 

This comes in spite of having glaring issues as a rookie with his free-swinging nature and over-aggressiveness on both sides of the ball. Those are things that can be refined through time. Besides, Rafaela is an absolute joy to watch play. 

His versatility provided the Red Sox can not be understated–splitting most of his time between shortstop and center field, the two most important spots on the diamond. With his elite agility, he has been on display with extra-base hits or tracking down baseballs all over the field. Rafaela has made himself into a weapon that will only grow into something more with time. 

My only hope is that the Red Sox can find a permanent place for him on defense. Although it seems up in the air with top prospects Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony both playing the positions Rafaela has been occupying. We should not be too concerned because the Red Sox will most certainly find a place for him.

Overall, Ceddanne Rafaela is a part of the future of the Boston Red Sox. The guy has been a beacon of energy for the Red Sox this season. A strong second half can go a long way for him and the Red Sox as the bat starts to come around.

***

Get more MLB news here!

Check out Vendetta on Twitch!

Like us on Facebook!