The end of the season is in sight, which means award season nears. The Boston Red Sox have multiple contenders across their roster — Sonny Gray should be an American League Cy Young finalist, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu are locks for their second and third Gold Gloves, respectively, and Caleb Durbin deserves one, too.
Rafaela should also be in the mix for another award after his significant improvement at the plate this season: the AL Silver Slugger in the outfield. For the second year in a row, FanSided is partnering with Louisville Slugger to announce the winners, and Red Sox Nation is hopeful Rafaela will be in the mix.
Rafaela has been one of the most consistent hitters in the AL this season. He's slashing .285/.323/.455 with 32 doubles, three triples and 16 home runs through 128 games. His 145 hits are tied for eighth-most in the league (as of August 27) and his 32 doubles lead all of baseball.
It won't help him win a Silver Slugger, but it's worth noting that Rafaela's defense has remained phenomenal even after his offensive spike, making him arguably the most well-rounded player on the Red Sox. Rafaela boasts 16 outs above average for 99th percentile range and 20 defensive runs saved.
A Ceddanne Rafaela Silver Slugger victory would cement Red Sox's contract extension genius
Shortly after the start of the 2024 season, the Red Sox signed Rafaela to an eight-year, $50 million contract extension with a club option for 2032. At just over $6 million average annual value, Rafaela's contract has grown into an undeniable bargain, and possibly some of Craig Breslow's best work as chief baseball officer in Boston. His defensive talent is special, his bat is finally catching up and he earned his first All-Star nomination this season — in due time, he could grow into a star in the league.
Rafaela has some tough competition for a Silver Slugger all around the AL, but not as much as normal. Aaron Judge has been out with an injury for three months which takes a guaranteed winner out of contention for the honor. Rafaela has more hits, doubles, home runs and a higher average than Cody Bellinger, one of the Yankees' other outfield Silver Slugger options.
One of last year's winners, Riley Greene, (.273/.366/.450 slash line) could be up for the outfield Silver Slugger again. Mike Trout (.241/.382/.434) has regressed after a hot start to the season. Byron Buxton (.254/.319/.511) and Julio Rodriguez (.247/.309/.408) have fallen off a cliff in July and August.
Rafaela is one of the AL's best options for outfield Silver Slugger, which would add another trophy to his case alongside his (expected) second of many future Gold Gloves. His win would solidify his extremely team-friendly contract extension as one of Breslow's best moves, and maybe one of the best contracts in the league.
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