Ceddanne Rafaela has looked like the odd man out in the Boston Red Sox's outfield as fans and reporters scour the roster for a potential spot for top prospect Roman Anthony.
Anthony has dominated Triple-A pitching since he reached Worcester in August of 2024. Rafaela, on the other hand, has struggled to consistently deliver against big league pitching, with a career slash line of .245/.279/.386 since his MLB debut in 2023.
Red Sox insider Sean McAdam reported on May 11 that there is some "growing frustration within the Red Sox organization" about Rafaela (subscription required). The 24-year-old is a free swinger and accumulated 151 strikeouts in 152 games last season. McAdam highlights that he often swings at the first pitch he sees in each of his at-bats, a habit which he's allegedly been asked to break.
But as McAdam's report made the rounds on Twitter, Red Sox hitting coach Dylan Lawson responded. "This is news to me," he replied to the organization's supposed frustrations with Rafaela.
Red Sox hitting coach squashes rumors of 'frustration' with Ceddanne Rafaela
This is news to me.
— Dillon Lawson (@ADillonLawson) May 11, 2025
McAdam's report came at a confusing time. Rafaela cut down on his first-pitch swings during the Sox's May 9-11, and it showed in his results at the plate. He collected three hits during the Sox's series against the Royals, two doubles and a triple, scored three times and only struck out twice.
Rafaela has been on a tear since the beginning of May, with a .333/.355/.533 slash line with five runs, a walk and six strikeouts in nine games. Those numbers don't sound like grounds for frustration from Red Sox hitting coaches, but they reflect serious improvement from his earlier work at the plate.
Rafaela is slashing .242/.296/.371 on the season with a brutal second-percentile chase rate and 33rd-percentile whiff rate. His .667 OPS over 37 games reflects the occasional burst of power with six doubles, two triples and two homers on the year, but his eight walks show how much work his plate presence still needs.
The Red Sox extended Rafaela early in the 2024 season to the tune of eight years at $50 million, knowing he can change the game in different ways. He's an elite defender who, with his 98th-percentile range and 94th-percentile arm strength, makes the most improbable plays look effortless and routine.
Based on Rafaela's offensive performance in May, Boston's reported frustrations with the outfielder seem unfounded. Perhaps he's taken the advice given to him by his coaches to minimize the swing and miss in his game. If he keeps swinging like he has in May, the Sox's vexation may disappear completely — although the "where to fit Anthony" discussion will only get harder.