Ceddanne Rafaela, who signed long-term with Boston earlier this season, is slowly becoming one of the most versatile and fun-to-watch young players in the entire MLB. After signing with the Red Sox as an international free agent in 2017, Rafaela quickly surged up the club’s farm system and MLB’s prospect rankings. In 116 games in 2022, splitting time between AA and A+, he slashed .299/.342/.538 with 63 extra-base hits (21 HR) and 28 stolen bases.
After posting similarly impressive numbers in AAA through the beginning of 2023, Rafela was called up and made his long-awaited major league debut. In 28 games (89 PA) to finish off the year, he slashed .241/.281/.386 and hit two home runs. Although those numbers don’t jump off the page, the Red Sox front office saw enough positives and inked him to an eight-year, $50 million extension with an option that goes until 2032.
