Ceddanne Rafaela's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Boston Red Sox and outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela agreed to an undisclosed contract extension on Monday, according to a source. Despite only having 38 major-league games under his belt after debuting last year, the Red Sox are locking up their center fielder of the present and future. He has seven hits in his first 30 at-bats this year with no home runs, five RBI, a stolen base, six runs scored and nine strikeouts in 35 plate appearances in his first 10 games. The 23-year-old former undrafted free agent from Curacao is more advanced defensively at this early stage of his career, but he's an exceptional athlete overall and also has the ability to play on the infield if the Red Sox need him there. Boston now has Rafaela under team control through at least the 2029 season.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The speedy 23-year-old started in centerfield in the Red Sox previous three games. Rafaela has gone 4-for-12 at the plate in the early going with three runs scored and one RBI. He is nothing more than a depth outfielder in redraft leagues this season, but he maintains reasonable upside in dynasty formats. With Rafaela on the bench, Jarren Duran will slide over to centerfield and Enmanuel Valdez will handle duties at second base.

Boston Red Sox OF/IF Ceddane Rafaela will be part of the Opening Day roster. Rafaela is a center fielder who could play some second base with Vaughn Grissom out to start the season. Manager Alex Cora praised the 23-year-old for his athleticism and versatility; he also has a .275/.327/.569 slash line over 51 Spring Training at-bats. Rob Refsnyder is also injured to start the season, so Rafaela should be moved between center and second initially. Rafaela is a well regarded prospect but did struggle in a small sample 28 games last season. His 78 OPS+ left a lot to be desired but he has the potential for a 15 home run, 15 steal season. ATC projects a .255/.295/.407 slash line over 459 plate appearances in 2024. He has a 354 ADP but with this news, and the fact he will have shortstop eligibility in some leagues, that number could change drastically over the weekend.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela started at second base for the first time this spring in Thursday's Grapefruit League game. The Red Sox have been mixing Rafaela in at second base this spring, but this is his first start at the keystone. The 23-year-old could see more action there for the BoSox early in the year with regular second baseman Vaughn Grissom (groin) injured, but Rafaela will primarily stay in the outfield. He remains in competition in camp for the center field job to open the year in Boston. If Rafaela doesn't win the jog, Jarren Duran will be the team's regular center fielder. Rafaela's glove is ahead of his bat, and he's ranked as the No. 83 fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller this year. In his first 28 big-league games in 2023, Rafaela hit .241 (20-for-83) with two homers, five RBI and three steals.

Since the start of camp, the Boston Red Sox said they regarded Ceddanne Rafaela as a center fielder only. However, manager Alex Cora on Wednesday sounded ready to at least consider the possibility of using Rafaela at second base. Rafaela is an elite defender at both shortstop and center field, but he hasn't played much at the keystone. But his elite athleticism could give Boston an upgrade at second over Enmanuel Valdez with Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) hurt. If Boston uses Rafaela some at second and center, either Jaren Duran or Tyler O'Neill would shift to center when Rafaela is in the infield. Rob Refsnyder's fractured toe essentially guarantees that Rafaela will make the team's Opening Day roster, and he should be playing frequently between second and center field.