Red Sox rookie Ceddanne Rafaela knows he must be more disciplined at the plate. He had a 38.8% chase percentage and 31.5% strikeout percentage in 28 games (89 plate appearances) after receiving his first big league promotion Aug. 28.
“I want to not really think about it. Just work on it and play my game,” Rafaela told MassLive on the final day of the regular season. “In the past, I’ve put more pressure than I have to put on myself trying to control the zone. Starting the year, it was way too much thinking about that. And then I wasn’t getting results.”
After a slow start to the 2023 season, Rafaela led all Red Sox minor leaguers in extra-base hits for a second straight year. The center fielder/shortstop, who turned 23 in September, recorded 54 extra-base hits between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He also ripped two homers and six doubles with Boston to total 62 extra-base hits in all. He led the minor league system in 2022 with 63 extra-base hits.
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Rafaela had only 13 extra-base hits in April and May combined. He batted just .228 in May. But he began relaxing after receiving some advice. He took off in June (.364/.381/.584/.965 line), then stayed extremely hot for the rest of the season.
“I talked with some teammates, some veteran guys, that tell me, ‘Just be you and do what you’re capable of, what got you here,’” Rafaela said. “So just keep being aggressive and just work on it. Not think a lot about it.’”
Rafaela has a ton of talent. Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire called him “a superstar in the making.” Reliever John Schreiber called him “the real deal” and “quick as hell” on defense. He has Gold Glove potential at both shortstop and center field.
Rafaela considered playing winter ball this offseason to get more experience at second base. But he will spend his time working out in his home country of Curacao.
“Just focusing on coming into spring training trying to get the most ready I can get in the offseason … and try to make the team,” Rafaela said.
He said he wants to put on more weight this offseason.
“I think just focusing on me more. I want to play 162-plus (games). I want to be healthy next season like I’m used to. I’m just trying to get stronger.”
Rafaela said he must be disciplined in all aspects of the game, including his routine.
“Come in here every day, give 200%,” he said.
He doesn’t work out with a hitting coach during the offseason. He has a cage at his home.
“I don’t say I know everything but I know who I am and what I need to work on,” he said.
Red Sox 2023 minor league extra-base hit leaders:
Ceddanne Rafaela 54 (20 homers, 31 doubles, 3 triples) * 62 XBH overall, including 8 in MLB
Blaze Jordan 51 (18 homers, 32 doubles, 1 triple)
Bobby Dalbec 50 (33 homers, 14 doubles, 3 triples) * 53 XBH overall, including 3 in MLB
Roman Anthony 45 (14 homers, 27 doubles, 4 triples)
Nathan Hickey 44 (19 homers, 24 doubles, 1 triple)
Eddinson Paulino 44 (12 homers, 28 doubles, 4 triples)
Ryan Fitzgerald 44 (12 homers, 25 doubles, 7 triples)
Nick Yorke 43 (13 homers, 25 doubles, 5 triples)
Allan Castro 42 (7 homers, 31 doubles, 4 triples)
Corey Rosier 38 (7 homers, 25 doubles, 6 triples)
Niko Kavadas 38 (22 homers, 16 doubles, 0 triples)
David Hamilton 37 (17 homers, 16 doubles, 4 triples) * 39 XBH overall, including 2 in MLB
Stephen Scott 37 (19 homers, 16 doubles, 2 triples)
Alex Binelas 36 (16 homers, 18 doubles, 2 triples)
Wilyer Abreu 34 (22 homers, 11 doubles, 1 triple) * 42 XBH overall, including 8 in MLB
Marcelo Mayer 34 (13 homers, 19 doubles, 2 triples)
Ronaldo Hernández 34 (17 homers, 17 doubles, 0 triples)
Tyler Miller 33 (9 homers, 21 doubles, 3 triples)
Bryan Gonzalez 33 (11 homers, 15 doubles, 7 triples)
Nick Sogard 31 (7 homers, 20 doubles, 4 triples)
Brainer Bonaci 30 (11 homers, 18 doubles, 1 triple)
Phillip Sikes 30 (9 homers, 18 doubles, 3 triples)
Chase Meidroth 29 (9 homers, 19 doubles, 1 triple)
Matthew Lugo 29 (5 homers, 23 doubles, 1 triple)
Tyler McDonough 26 (5 homers, 16 doubles, 5 triples)
Narciso Crook 26 (10 homers, 14 doubles, 2 triples)
Yoeilin Cespedes 25 (6 homers, 15 doubles, 4 triples)
Nick Decker 25 (7 homers, 14 doubles, 4 triples)
Daniel Palka 25 (12 homers, 12 doubles, 1 triple)
Max Ferguson 24 (5 homers, 17 doubles, 2 triples)
Cutter Coffey 24 (6 homers, 16 doubles, 2 triples)
Ronald Rosario 24 (4 homers, 17 doubles, 3 triples)
Jhostynxon Garcia 24 (4 homers, 14 doubles, 6 triples)
Christian Koss 22 (4 homers, 16 doubles, 2 triples)
Johnfrank Salazar 22 (8 homers, 14 doubles, 0 triples)
Eduardo Lopez 22 (5 homers, 16 doubles, 1 triple)
Johanfran Garcia 21 (6 homers, 13 doubles, 2 triples)
Luis Ravelo 21 (6 homers, 15 doubles, 0 triples)
Jorge Alfaro 21 (6 homers, 13 doubles, 2 triples)
Enmanuel Valdez 20 (10 homers, 8 doubles, 2 triples) * 34 XBH overall, including 14 in MLB
Tyler Dearden 20 (7 homers, 12 doubles, 1 triple)
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