Boston Red Sox Prospects: Ceddanne Rafaela promoted to Double-A

Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela has been promoted to Double-A

Oh look, a wonderful excuse to talk about Boston Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela. According to his Instagram stories, the utility-man has been promoted to Double-A.

This shouldn’t really come as a big surprise to anyone. The only thing that was giving anyone any pause was that he has just under 200 at-bats in High-A. So maybe the Red Sox would want to give him some more time and let him really establish himself. No reason to rush anyone.

At the same time though, 197 at-bats is a pretty hefty chunk. And it really looked like he needed a new challenge.

Rafaela has done it all this year. He’s played phenomenal defense all over the diamond. Just on Saturday he made one of the more spectacular diving plays you’ll see in the outfield all year.

And on Sunday, the right-handed hitter went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

On the year, Rafaela is slashing .330/.368/.589 with 16 doubles, four triples, and nine home runs. He’s driven in 36 runs, scored 37 more, and stolen 14 bases.

A few things to talk about there. First of all, that slash line is insane. He’s shown incredible power and is on-pace to destroy his career-highs in doubles and home runs. His career-best of nine triples is in danger as well.

Meanwhile, that run production is otherworldly. We’re talking some next-level stuff. He’s on-pace to break his career-highs in runs, RBI, and steals as well. By a pretty nice margin.

The defense was the big selling point. He was the Red Sox MiLB defensive player of the year in 2022. The insane defense is still there. He looks so comfortable and so smooth anywhere you put him. If Boston decides to make him an outfielder, he could easily win some Gold Gloves. If they decide to put him at shortstop, third base, or second base – he could win some GGs there too.

However, Rafaela’s not just defense and speed anymore. That bat potential that he was showing at the end of last year has burst through in the craziest way.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. There are not 100 better prospect in baseball than Ceddanne Chipper Nicasio Marte Rafaela. I truly believe that. And now he might start getting more recognition as he moves up to Double-A. This is a much deserved move.