The end of the MLB postseason is in view, which means the announcements of the season's awards are right around the corner.
The American and National League Rookies of the Year will be crowned in early November and Rawlings released the names of its Gold Glove finalists on Oct. 15. Wilyer Abreu is nominated for his outstanding right field defense, and he and Ceddanne Rafaela should be mentioned in the AL ROY conversation.
But when MLB Pipeline released its All-Rookie teams, something was amiss. Abreu earned a spot on the first team as the designated hitter and Rafaela did not make either the first or second squad. Colton Cowser occupies the right field spot, where Abreu played nearly all his innings this year.
Abreu slashed .253/.322/.459 with a .781 OPS with 33 doubles, which leads all rookies, two triples and 15 homers. Cowser batted .242/.321/.447 with a .768 OPS, 24 doubles, three triples and 24 homers, tied for the lead among rookies. Abreu posted seven outs above average on the season and Cowser clocked 11.
Just watching Wilyer on loop. pic.twitter.com/oDKipXOg45
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 26, 2024
Red Sox Wilyer Abreu made All-Rookie first team as DH despite Gold Glove nomination, Ceddanne Rafaela is not credited at all
If anything, Cowser could be moved into Jackson Chourio's spot and he could take up the designated hitter position. Chourio's defense came in just below Abreu's at five outs above average on the season, and he was the only rookie to post a 20/20 slate — his power and lower-tier defense would be better suited to the DH job. Abreu also posted his outstanding defensive numbers while playing half his games in Fenway Park's right field, one of the strangest and most difficult in the league. He deserves his flowers in the outfield.
Rafaela's lack of credit is confounding, as well. He batted .246/.274/.390 with 23 doubles, five triples, 15 homers and led all AL rookies with 74 RBI.
His defensive stats don't look good in writing, but Rafaela's defensive versatility is unmatched by anyone else in the 2024 rookie class. He posted 82 appearances at shortstop and 87 at center field, and his negative two outs above average reflect his constant movement. But anyone who watched Rafaela play knows the level of play he's capable of and saw just how many insane, improbable plays he made this season.
The Red Sox's rookies deserve more respect across the board. Abreu and Rafaela posted quality first seasons in MLB and have shown they have great careers ahead of them. Abreu seems like a lock for the right field Gold Glove and Rafaela's athleticism can't be denied — the Red Sox's lack of success this year should not have any effect on their individual credit.