Red Sox: 1 trade, 1 signing and 1 prospect to make the postseason

By Drew Koch | Feb 6, 2023

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Enrique Hernandez #5 and Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after Verdugo hit a three run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 23: Ceddanne Rafaela of the Boston Red Sox reacts during a rookie development workout January 23, 2023 at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox should promote prospect Ceddanne Rafaela

You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him. Ceddanne Rafaela is coming whether you like it or not. Rafaela is not a big guy, as he stands just 5-foot-8, but he gets the most out of his slight frame and the Boston Red Sox would be wise to get him to the big leagues sooner rather than later.

Rafaela uses all parts of the field and while he doesn’t have a ton of power, he certainly found it last year while splitting time between High-A and Double-A. Rafaela slashed .299/.342/.538 with 21 home runs and 86 RBIs.

Rafaela offers plenty of defensive versatility too. The diminutive prospect can play on the outfield grass and the infield dirt. His best position is probably center field, though he can hold his own at the hot corner and shortstop as well. Rafaela also has experience at both left field and second base as well.

There’s no need to rush Ceddanne Rafaela to the big leagues right away, so expect the 20-year-old to begin the 2023 season in the minors. But Rafaela puts up the same type of numbers at Triple-A that we saw from him in 2022, then the Red Sox would be foolish to leave him in the minor leagues.

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