Boston Red Sox Prospects: Handing out awards for 2022
By Hunter Noll
Red Sox breakout prospect of the year – Ceddanne Rafaela
Okay, I’m not going to lie, I considered not giving this award to Ceddanne Rafaela. That’s probably the dumbest thing you’ve heard all day, but I have my reasons. I would have given Rafaela the “next-up” award (ironically the next award). However, I also would have given him the “breakout” award.
So even though I didn’t have the awards last year, I wasn’t sure how I felt about giving it to him now, because can you be the “breakout prospect” two years in a row? I’ve decided that yes, yes you can. When you take the extra step that he did this year, it qualifies you as a breakout again.
Rafaela went from an unknown piece to an electric prospect last year. He went from “electric prospect” to “superstar” this time around though.
You’ve already seen what he did this year in previous slides. That’s what happens when you win most awards, and take home honorable mentions in others. Rafaela will win Gold Gloves in the Majors. He could do it at shortstop or in center field. Although he didn’t play there this year, if he went back to second base or third base, I’m willing to bet he could make a run at the award there too.
Offensively, he was on demon time in 2022. Rafaela slashed .299/.342/.538 with 32 doubles, 10 triples, and 21 home runs between High-A and Double-A. The right-handed hitter drove in 86 runs, scored 82 more, and stole 28 bases as well. A 20/20 season is impressive, doing so with a .299 average is a whole different level though.
Rafaela wasn’t even ranked in MLB’s top 30 prospects in the Boston Red Sox system at the end of last year. He cracked 30 to start this season. Now he’s in the top 100 of all prospects in baseball.
Rafaela even took a considerable jump in my rankings. I had him at 10 last season, and he’s somewhere else this year (you’ll have to wait to see where when it comes out, gotta get those clicks baby). Going from someone that some Red Sox fans knew, to someone getting recognition throughout baseball definitely qualifies as a worthy “breakout” candidate.
He took home a ton of awards today, you’re probably tired of seeing his name in this article. I mean, I ran out of images to use for him in these slides. But there’s a reason I love telling everyone that Rafaela is your favorite prospect’s favorite prospect. He’s that good.
And like your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper, MF DOOM, used to say “Just remember ALL CAPS when you spell the man’s name”, just remember ALL NAMES when you speak on Ceddanne Chipper Nicasio Marie Rafaela.
Honorable Mention:
(OF) Miguel Bleis: 18-year-old right-handed hitter slashed .301/.353/.542 with 23 extra bases, 27 RBI, 28 runs, and 18 steals in 40 games in Rookie Ball
(1B) Niko Kavadas: Posted a .280/.443/.547 slash line with 52 extra-base hits, 86 RBI, 71 runs, one steal, and 102 walks between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A. Two promotions in one year.
(SS) Matthew Lugo: Slashed .282/.338/.492 with 54 extra-base hits, 79 RBI, 77 runs, and 20 steals between High-A and Double-A.
(RP) Andrew Politi: 2.45 ERA, .187 BAA, 0.97 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts (compared to 21 walks) in 66 innings pitched between Double-A and Triple-A.
(UM) Eddinson Paulino: Slashed .266/.359/.469 with 58 extra-base hits, 66 RBI, 96 runs, and 27 stolen bases in Low-A, his first year at the level
(SS) Brainer Bonaci: Slashed .262/.397/.385 with 31 extra-base hits, 50 RBI, 86 runs, and 28 stolen bases in Low-A. Had only played in 13 games at the level before this year.