Ceddanne Rafaela has ranked among the many recreation’s elite defensive outfielders ever since he debuted within the majors again in 2023, and within the coming weeks the widespread expectation is he’ll win his first profession Gold Glove award.
Within the meantime, Rafaela has another {hardware} coming his manner.
Thursday afternoon Rafaela was introduced as one among this 12 months’s Fielding Bible Award recipients, that are offered yearly by Sports activities Information Options and purpose the distinction the most effective defensive participant in MLB at every place.
Rafaela is a first-time Fielding Bible Award recipient and earned the distinction as the sport’s high heart fielder.
In response to SIS’s web site, the Fielding Bible Awards are voted on by a panel of specialists “who think about statistical evaluation, the attention check, and another components that they want to make the most of.” The award dates again to 2006 and Rafaela is the third Crimson Sox outfielder to earn the distinction, becoming a member of Mookie Betts and Wilyer Abreu, every of whom received for proper discipline.
Rafaela earned the nod after main all MLB heart fielders with 20 Defensive Runs Saved, and in response to SIS’s announcement his 27 Good Fielding Performs have been essentially the most of any heart fielder. He additionally had the second-most Vary Runs Saved and tied for essentially the most Outfield Arm Runs Saved at his place.
Past these metrics, Rafaela additionally graded as elite defensively in nearly each class measured by Statcast. Rafaela ranked 99th percentile in Fielding Run Worth and Outs Above Common, 97th percentile in Arm Energy and 92nd percentile in dash velocity.
The opposite Fielding Bible Award recipients included Patrick Bailey (C, Giants), Matt Olson (1B, Braves), Nico Hoerner (2B, Cubs), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B, Reds), Mookie Betts (SS, Dodgers), Steven Kwan (LF, Guardians), Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF, Padres), Max Fried (P, Yankees), Ernie Clement (multi-position, Blue Jays). Bailey was additionally named Defensive Participant of the 12 months and the Chicago Cubs have been named Defensive Group of the 12 months.
