Boston’s prospect to watch this spring is …
This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
One of the important thing gamers to observe for the Red Sox this Spring Training is a man who isn’t prone to make the staff, however who might be an element sooner or later in 2023 — and appears poised to make an affect for years past that.
That could be the dynamic Ceddanne Rafaela, who performs jaw-dropping protection in heart area and may deal with shortstop.
Now that he’s on the 40-man roster, Rafaela will probably be in huge league camp for the primary time. The Curaçao native may even play for Team Netherlands within the World Baseball Classic.
It is sufficient to remind you of the observe Xander Bogaerts needed to the Majors in 2013. That was the 12 months Bogaerts got here to Spring Training for the primary time, represented the Netherlands within the Classic and was with the Red Sox by August — simply in time to contribute to a World Series-winning staff.
Though the Red Sox won’t ever give a timetable on after they anticipate a participant to make the Majors, there are hints that Rafaela might be moderately shut.
The first is that he was in Boston for the staff’s annual Rookie Development Program final week. The Red Sox usually solely invite gamers they consider have an opportunity at making their debut throughout that season. Also, when MLB Pipeline launched its Top 100 Prospects record final week, Rafaela slotted in at No. 86. Next to the rating was (ETA: 2023), referring to the projection of what 12 months Rafaela will placed on that Boston uniform for the primary time.
Given his standing because the upper-level prospect to observe for the Red Sox this season, the membership is monitoring his improvement intently, whereas ensuring he takes all of the steps wanted to succeed on the highest stage.
While protection appears to come back so naturally to Rafaela, he has labored exhausting to grow to be a harmful risk on the plate, albeit a risk who wants to enhance his strategy.
“He got a chance to play winter ball down in Puerto Rico, working on his approach,” mentioned Red Sox director of participant improvement Brian Abraham. “His ability to swing consistently at pitches in the strike zone is something that is a big focus of his. He has power. He drives the ball to all fields, despite the size, but being able to do that consistently with balls in the strike zone, it seems to be repetitive at times with a lot of our younger players. But that is really a huge difference maker for what makes big leaguers big leaguers.”
Rafaela, whose wiry 5-foot-8 body and spectacular protection are sufficient to remind you of a younger Mookie Betts, attacked the offseason with a slim focus to enhance his pitch recognition.
“Yes, of course, that was my main focus,” mentioned Rafaela. “This offseason, it was really about controlling the zone to be ready. Every flip, every BP session I took, I tried to control the zone.”
The 22-year-old was additionally acutely aware of molding his physique to resist the pains of an extended baseball season.
“I’ve been really working on [the] physical side to get stronger so I can get through the season strong and finish strong,” Rafaela mentioned.
The 2022 season was one to recollect for Rafaela, who wasn’t on anybody’s radar as a Top 100 prospect presently final 12 months. In truth, he barely cracked Boston’s Top 30 record however completed the season at No. 3.
In 116 video games — 45 for High-A Greenville and 71 for Double-A Portland — the right-handed hitter had a line of .299/.342/.538 with 32 doubles, 10 triples, 21 homers and 28 stolen bases.
While Triple-A Worcester appears to be the probably beginning spot for Rafaela in 2023, he is aware of there is no such thing as a use in reducing his sights.
“As a player, everyone wants to start in the big leagues, but it’s not up to me. I’ll just work hard to earn the chance to start here [in Boston],” Rafaela mentioned.
