BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox are exploring options to give top prospect Roman Anthony regular playing time, potentially revitalizing their offense. A key consideration is moving Ceddanne Rafaela, a standout center fielder, to the infield, which would create space for Anthony to enter the lineup. However, this potential shift is met with skepticism among team executives, who recognize Rafaela’s elite defensive capabilities and see him as a cornerstone player.
Rafaela is currently acknowledged as one of the best defensive center fielders in the league, with metrics placing him high among his peers. His performance reflects not only strong defensive strength but also commendable base running, contributing to his projected value as a 4 WAR player, a mark achieved by only a select few outfielders last season. Moreover, Rafaela’s offensive metrics show encouraging signs of growth, as he is improving his contact rates and hard-hit percentages over time, though his current on-base numbers stand below average.
The Red Sox are weighing the comparison of Rafaela’s development to that of Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has excelled in his role as an elite defender and offensive contributor. Crow-Armstrong’s success serves as a model that the Red Sox hope Rafaela can emulate, particularly in terms of offensive consistency.
As the Red Sox look to maximize their roster, finding opportunities for Anthony is becoming increasingly critical, especially as other key prospects have been promoted. This situation leaves fewer at-bats available for Anthony, even as he continues to perform exceptionally in Triple-A.
Manager Alex Cora underscored that Rafaela is still learning to enhance his offensive skills, and while opinions on moving him to the infield vary, the Red Sox are committed to nurturing his development. Ceddanne has expressed that he is content playing center field, which he believes is beneficial for his overall game.
Overall, the Red Sox face a challenging but hopeful prospect of integrating Anthony into their lineup while ensuring they do not undermine the growth of Rafaela, who continues to prove his worth with each game. As they navigate these decisions, they remain optimistic about their young talents contributing significantly to the team’s future success.