The Red Sox on Monday called up Rafaela for the team’s stretch run. MLB Pipeline ranks Rafaela as Boston’s No. 3 prospect and the No. 77 prospect in baseball.
Rafaela is hitting .302 with an .870 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A this year with 20 home runs, 79 RBIs and 36 steals in 108 games in what’s been the best offensive Minor League season for him thus far.
Rafaela only had a .729 OPS in Single-A in 2021 before raising that number to .880 last season across High-A and Double-A. Along with improving his bat, he’s also improved his plate discipline, as he’s already tied his walk total from last season (26) despite playing in eight fewer games.
“The one thing that we want from him, regardless of the numbers, is controlling the strike zone,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Browne earlier this month. “He’s very unique in what he does, because he chases pitches, but he is hitting. The other day, he hit a homer and walked four times. That’s a great game for me. The more he walks, the more he controls the strike zone, the better he’s going to be.”
A gifted defender who can play multiple positions, Rafaela has spent most of his season in center field, but can play any position except for first base and catcher. MLB Pipeline describes him as “a Gold Glover waiting to happen with outstanding range along with plus arm strength” in the outfield, and he boasts 20 outfield assists across his Minor League career along with a .956 fielding percentage at shortstop.
“I wouldn’t want to compare him to others, but his ability to play a plus center field and a plus shortstop is pretty special and valuable,” said Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham. “His glove provides a lot of value and is a game changer on the dirt and in the grass. He takes pride in what he does on the field and I only see him continuing to improve with the work he puts in and more thorough understanding of positioning and opponents at the upper levels.”
Rafaela is joining the Red Sox at what might arguably be the most important juncture of their season. Boston enters play Monday at 69-62 and 4 1/2 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot. They open a three-game series against the defending champion Astros on Monday.
Along with calling up Rafaela, the Red Sox also promoted infielder/outfielder David Hamilton, placed outfielder Wilyer Abreu on the paternity list and placed infielder/outfielder Pablo Reyes on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. Hamilton posted a .427 OPS in 13 games with the Red Sox earlier this season.
