2025 In a Discarded-On-The-Dugout -Ground Nutshell
His Linsanity run earlier than the commerce deadline solidified him as a fan favourite, and his protection stays above Gold-Glove caliber, however his offensive struggles this season had been apparent and detrimental.
Ceddanne Rafaela stays probably the greatest defensive outfielders in your complete sport. He genuinely deserves a Platinum Glove and will probably be an entire robbing if he doesn’t get not less than a Gold Glove, identical to he obtained robbed from the All-Star recreation. He’s our new JBJ! And his velocity on the basepaths has been incredible as effectively. Simply check out these Savant stats:
And regardless of all his diving catches, he didn’t get injured this 12 months! In contrast to Wilyer Abreu, who appeared to get harm as soon as each two months, Ceddanne was constant and practically at all times performed, even when he may’ve had a number of scrapes (i.e. that close to wrist contusion, and when his necklace chain ran into his face whereas making a catch).
He’s additionally begun to develop a clutch gene. Equally to how he comes via on making nice catches, he additionally got here via with a number of game-changing hits or residence runs this season. When he’s on hearth, he’s flaming sizzling. His late July run helped the Sox produce a 10-game win streak, which was essential to finally securing a playoff spot.
Rafaela’s additionally develop into a brilliant likable participant that’s straightforward to root for. He’s humble in the precise moments, cocky when he deserves to be, and at all times offers it his all whereas taking part in the sport. Facet word: He and Brayan Bello have additionally developed an analogous bestie friendship to that of Mayer and Anthony, which I wish to see.
So after I say he’s our new JBJ…this 12 months offensively, he was not 2018 JBJ and appeared extra like 2022 JBJ. The Linsanity run couldn’t even out his stats from his horrendous August and September. These gross final two months resulted on this Savant web page:
It’s nice that Rafaela offers it his all, however that additionally leads to him swinging at pitches he shouldn’t and thus having a particularly excessive chase charge and, consequently, a really low stroll charge. To not point out: his protection at second base was good, however not nice in comparison with his protection in heart. He was normally put within the infield out of necessity quite than need, however ideally that necessity shouldn’t occur sooner or later.
Lest we neglect his playoff efficiency as effectively. Whereas he managed to stroll a number of occasions (which actually mentioned extra about Yankees pitching than it did about Ceddanne’s plate self-discipline, however props to him for working walks anyway), he obtained no hits, struck out 4 occasions over 2 video games (with 7 whole PAs in these 2 video games,), had that actually terrible bunt try that resulted in a free out, and contributed to that unhealthy outfield error in Recreation 3. The place Ceddanne can and does shine, he didn’t when the lights obtained brightest, however hopefully that playoff expertise will bolster him ought to the Sox make it again.
Additionally, this 2024 tweet about Rafaela by Coley Mick stays one of many higher Crimson Sox Tweets in latest reminiscence due to how true it’s. It speaks to Rafaela’s strengths and weaknesses in essentially the most correct method.
It’s a tie between his mammoth game-winning homer off of Pete Fairbanks and his walkoff RBI triple that despatched the Crimson Sox to the postseason. Each had been emotional moments. The house run was the loudest Fenway might have gotten all 12 months, and till late September, was The Second of the 2025 season; I stay proper by Fenway and I wasn’t on the recreation, however I heard the cheering from my room, even with my window was closed.
The walkoff triple, in the meantime, was particularly loaded. It gave Sox followers the aid that we had been lastly gonna get again to the postseason after 4 years and, in spite of everything of his offensive woes, it was nice that Ceddanne of all folks was in a position to come via in a huge method. You may inform it meant as a lot to him because it did to everybody else, if no more so, along with his slide into third and his reverent putting of his helmeted head on third base. A lot goodness throughout. He appears to love contributing to that Walkoff-Win-in-the-Metropolis-Connects stat.
So, as posed beneath the article title: Does Rafaela have what it takes to be a star? He’s not a rookie anymore, so how a lot of poor strategy on the plate can we–or ought to we–blame on him being younger? Will he be capable to string collectively higher offensive manufacturing extra persistently? Can he decrease his chase charge? That’s plenty of little questions, however all of them contribute to the query of simply how excessive his ceiling is.
He’s signed long-term. He’s unbelievable in heart. Everybody desires him to succeed. He has the makings of a star. If he improves his hitting, he simply might need what it takes to develop into a standing participant.
Therefore the massive query ties into seeking to the long run. Ceddanne wants to remain at heart, that’s a given. Does it make sense to maintain him final within the batting order, like he so typically was? Possibly if the leadoff hitter is performing (the Rafaela ninth/Anthony leadoff combo labored fairly effectively), however in any other case it could make extra sense to maneuver him as much as seventh and even sixth; in spite of everything, he wasn’t Connor Wong ranges of unhealthy. I hope that he’s realized from every thing this 12 months, whether or not it was good, unhealthy, or ugly. Typically while you’re a younger participant, that’s the most effective factor you are able to do.
