Ceddanne Rafaela’s breakout 2022 season has opened eyes, and the Red Sox are trying ahead to seeing what’s subsequent for one in all their most enjoyable prospects.
Rafaela, who signed with the Red Sox as a world free agent in 2017, might be Rule 5 eligible this winter. But the Red Sox are nearly sure to guard him by including him to the 40-man roster after he produced an electrifying season within the minors — most of which with Double-A Portland — on each side of the ball, together with displaying elite protection in middle area.
It’s clear that Rafaela, who’s now ranked because the Red Sox’ No. 4 prospect by Baseball America, is in Boston’s future plans. The soon-to-be 22-year-old will play within the Puerto Rican Winter League for Caguas, which is managed by Red Sox coach Ramón Vázquez, this winter, and Alex Cora is planning to look at him up shut and get to know him higher.
“We’re going to be able to enjoy it, however many games I go,” Cora stated. “Just try to meet him, know who he is as a person. That’s something that I’m looking forward to. We had that opportunity with Jarren (Duran) a few years ago but it was limited because of the whole pandemic and the restrictions, but now we can actually interact with others. It’ll be fun just to have him around, bring him to the house, talk to him and embrace him.”
There’s loads to love about Rafaela, who represented the Red Sox on the Futures Game this July. He has superior pace and tasks as a Gold Glove-caliber defender that may play a number of positions, however has largely performed this season in middle, the place he has pulled off a number of highlight-reel performs. And he’s made massive strides offensively, hitting .303 with 21 homers, 32 doubles, 86 RBI and an .893 OPS throughout 114 minor-league video games this season coming into Friday.
Listed at 5-foot-8, 152 kilos, Rafaela isn’t an imposing determine. But he has a great deal of expertise and a skillset that’s been in comparison with Mookie Betts. Cora, like many within the group, is a fan.
“The athlete, the defense at shortstop and in the outfield is elite. He is very unique,” Cora stated. “His body, obviously he’s not a big guy but he’s a strong kid. He punishes the ball to right-center. It seems like he has made progress as far as swing decisions and all that, and he’s having a great, great season. … Nothing but great things to say about that kid.”
Ort ‘more comfortable’
As the Red Sox end out the season, they need to take a better take a look at rookie reliever Kaleb Ort.
Ort, the 30-year-old right-hander who the Red Sox chosen within the minor league portion of the 2020 Rule 5 draft, struggled in his first stint in July however has seemed significantly better since his second call-up. Entering Friday, he had pitched six consecutive scoreless innings, together with an ideal inning in Wednesday’s loss to the Yankees wherein he received as much as 101 mph along with his fastball.
“Since he got back, he’s been a lot better,” Cora stated. “When he received known as up early on, he pitched rather a lot, a number of innings and he needed to form of like, go on the market and he wasn’t near 100% due to the state of affairs we have been in. But now as you may see, we’re utilizing all people, they’re throwing the ball effectively. That was the primary time in 5 days that he received on the mound and that was spectacular. It’s not solely the speed, it’s the situation of the pitches which is crucial factor. …
“Feeling more comfortable, rested. It’s something that’s helping him out and we’re very pleased with the way he’s attacking hitters.”
Cora stated they like Ort’s stuff, and although he could also be 30, they need to see what he can supply.
“We don’t want to be that team that is swinging and missing on guys,” Cora stated. “We received (Garrett Whitlock) within the Rule 5. We received (Ort) within the minor league Rule 5. (John) Schreiber. … It’s not that it’s all the time excellent, however particularly relievers, it’s such a tough, revolving door. This yr they’re good, subsequent yr you don’t know what’s going to occur. …
“Regardless if you’re 30 or 23 or 24, if you’ve got stuff and you’ve got talent, it’s always important to give them a try and see what happens.”
Odds & ends
The Red Sox didn’t play on Roberto Clemente Day on Thursday, so Cora was one in all a number of members of the Red Sox who wore No. 21 on Friday to honor the Hall of Famer’s legacy as a participant and humanitarian.
“Very proud of that,” Cora stated. …
Trevor Story missed his third consecutive recreation as he nurses a minor damage in his left heel. Cora expects him again in Saturday’s lineup. Nathan Eovaldi is throwing one other reside bullpen at Fenway on Sunday morning as he tries to ramp up for a late-season return.
It appears like Kutter Crawford, who’s been on the injured record for the reason that begin of September with a proper shoulder impingement, could not return this season.
“He’s still not progressing the way we wanted, so we’re kind of running out of time,” Cora stated. …
Nick Yorke is one in all eight Red Sox prospects who will play within the Arizona Fall League this yr, which begins on Oct. 3. Yorke, the Red Sox’ first-round decide in 2020 who’s now their fifth-ranked prospect by Baseball America, is coming off a season wherein he struggled to remain wholesome and batted .232 with a .668 OPS in 80 video games for High-A Greenville.
Source: www.bostonherald.com