Fantasy News

• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Plates seven in monster game

  Rotowire Apr 27, 2024

  Rafaela went 4-for-4 with a home run and seven RBI in Saturday's 17-0 victory over the Cubs. There were big numbers throughout the Red Sox' lineup in this laugher, but Rafaela takes top billing. His home run came in the seventh inning off reliever Colten Brewer, and he also had a pair of doubles, one of which that cleared the bases in the fifth inning. As if that wasn't enough, Rafaela also stole his fourth base of the season and scored three runs. The 23-year-old had just 14 hits all season coming into Saturday's action, along with a 26.8 percent strikeout rate. While Saturday's performance was a peak at Rafaela's upside, he'll likely remain a volatile fantasy play.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Declared everyday shortstop

  Rotowire Apr 25, 2024

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Rafaela is viewed as the team's everyday shortstop at this point, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. Cora has said as much through his actions -- Rafaela will make his sixth straight start at shortstop Thursday versus the Guardians -- and now the skipper has confirmed it with his words. Rafaela has received high marks for his defense both at shortstop and in center field, and using him at shortstop with Trevor Story (shoulder) out for the season helps address the Red Sox's logjam in the outfield. With Rafaela settling in at shortstop, Wilyer Abreu has become an everyday player in the outfield, making 10 straight starts.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Another start at shortstop

  Rotowire Apr 24, 2024

  Rafaela started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-0 win over the Guardians. Rafaela made a fifth consecutive start at shortstop, which could be his primary home for the rest of the season. While his defense in center field will be missed, moving him to the infield allows the Red Sox to get better bats into the lineup. That's is important for a team missing Trevor Story (shoulder) and Triston Casas (rib).

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Productive in Friday's win

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  Rafaela went 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 8-1 win over the Pirates. The 23-year-old got the start at shortstop and committed an error in the opening frame that nearly led to a Pittsburgh run, but Rafaela quickly atoned with an RBI fielder's choice in the second inning and a solo shot off Roansy Contreras in the sixth. The long ball was his first of the season while the steal was his second, but his .167/.208/.303 slash line and 3:19 K:BB through 21 games remain disappointing. Rafaela remains a near-everyday player for the Red Sox, but he could get squeezed for playing time on the infield when Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) comes off the IL.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Getting start at shortstop

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Rafaela will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Guardians. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been adamant that the plan is to keep Rafaela in center field even after Trevor Story's season-ending shoulder injury. However, the skipper said Monday that Wilyer Abreu will become an everyday player versus righties moving forward, per Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, which would seem to point to more regular action for Rafaela at shortstop. Monday's start at shortstop is the 23-year-old's first at the position this season.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Set for middle infield reps

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Rafaela will see some playing time at second base and shortstop going forward, Jen McCaffrey of The Athleticreports. Cora recently downplayed the possibility of the 23-year-old playing shortstop in the immediate aftermath of Trevor Story's shoulder injury, but the skipper has apparently changed his mind. Rafaela should still see most of his playing time in center field, but it's possible he gains eligibility at shortstop or second base if Boston's middle infield continues to have issues with injuries and ineffectiveness.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Not expected to play shortstop

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Saturday downplayed the possibility of using Rafaela at shortstop following the injury to Trevor Story (shoulder), Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. Rafaela is an excellent defensive shortstop, but he's also a gifted defender in center field and Boston intends to keep him there. Cora's stance would also seem to indicate that Rafaela has a good amount of leash in center field even if his bat is slow to come around. The 23-year-old entered play Saturday having gone just 5-for-25 with three RBI and one stolen base.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Heads to bench Sunday

  Rotowire Mar 31, 2024

  Rafaela is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Rafaela started the first three games of the season and will receive a day off after going 4-for-12 with a double, a triple, an RBI, three runs and five strikeouts. Jarren Duran will shift to center field while Tyler O'Neill and Wilyer Abreu start in left and right field, respectively.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Enters game as infielder

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2024

  Rafaela entered Monday's spring game at second base and went 0-for-1 against the Twins. Rafaela made his first spring appearance in the infield, although he's played second base in the minors. There was some talk of him filling in at second base while Vaughn Grissom (groin) recovers, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora then announced a platoon, one involving Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes, at the keystone to start the season, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. That means if Rafaela makes the Opening Day roster, it will likely be as the team's primary center fielder.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Will get middle infield reps soon

  Rotowire Mar 15, 2024

  Rafaela will get some innings at second base and shortstop next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Rafaela is still competing for the starting center field job, but he has plenty of infield experience and the Red Sox want to give him some reps there. Second base, in particular, looks like a spot at which there could be some playing time available early in the season with Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) sidelined.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Subject of organizational meeting

  Rotowire Mar 14, 2024

  Boston manager Alex Cora said Wednesday there is an organizational meeting scheduled this weekend to discuss how best to utilize Rafaela on the major league roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Rafaela's showcased elite defense in center field this spring, and seemingly his claim to a roster spot was boosted with news that Rob Refsnyder (toe) will miss a good chunk of April. At issue is Cora's original premise that Rafaela will make the club only if he wins the starting job in center, where his defense can have the greatest impact. The weekend meeting will partially focus on how best to utilize Rafaela's versatility; he's comfortable at shortstop and second base and could fill-in at the keystone while Vaughn Grissom (groin) rehabs in April. "We're going to meet over the weekend to go over a few things. Maybe we make adjustments," Cora said. "We know he can play short. We know he can play second. How we can balance the roster so we can take advantage of this spot [vacated by Refsnyder]?" The discussion will also focus on how an outfield would look if Rafaela is in center field, meaning how does the team fit Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Tyler O'Neill and Masataka Yoshida into the lineup.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Trying to earn roster spot

  Rotowire Mar 12, 2024

  Rafaela is slashing .233/.324/.500 with two doubles, two home runs, five RBI and two steals over 12 spring games. Since early in camp, Boston manager Alex Cora said Rafaela would either open the season as the team's starting center fielder or be sent to Triple-A. "He's playing well, man," manager Alex Cora told Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. "Controlling the strike zone, too. He's been doing a good job." Rafaela has played 61 innings in the field and showcased Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field. If he can do enough at the plate and hold down a spot in the lower third of the order, the Red Sox might be tempted to have Rafaela start in center and improve the defense behind a suspect pitching staff. Such a development would trigger a corresponding move in a crowded outfield that includes Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Tyler O'Neill, Rob Refsnyder and Masataka Yoshida.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Competing for CF job

  Rotowire Feb 13, 2024

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that, if Rafaela makes the Opening Day roster, he would likely be the team's center fielder, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports. Jarren Duran is the favorite to be the team's Opening Day center fielder but would presumably slide over to right field to accommodate Rafaela, who has the superior glove. Rafaela started hot but eventually cooled off during his first shot with the Red Sox in 2023, ultimately finishing with a .241/.281/.386 batting line with two home runs, three stolen bases and a 28:4 K:BB over 28 contests. The 23-year-old could change the narrative with a strong spring, but he seems likelier to start 2024 at Triple-A Worcester for the time being.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: In line for significant role

  Rotowire Dec 6, 2023

  Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow indicated Wednesday that he expects Rafaela to play a significant role with the major-league club in 2024, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports. Breslow made the statement after being asked about the team's outfield situation following the trade of Alex Verdugo. At this juncture, Breslow has no plans to add additional outfielders, which points to Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu playing quite a bit. Rafaela slashed .241/.281/.386 with two home runs and three stolen bases over 89 plate appearances during his cup of coffee with Boston in 2023.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Makes first start at 2B

  Rotowire Sep 23, 2023

  Rafaela started at second base and went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 win over the White Sox. Rafaela has appeared at second base three times this season but Friday was the first start. The position, which has been a revolving door in 2023, is expected to be an open competition in 2024. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Sean McAdam of MassLive.com that the rookie could make a few more starts there in the final week. The manager also said the team is considering having Rafaela play second base during winter ball.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Slots in at shortstop

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2023

  Rafaela started at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Wednesday's 15-5 loss to the Rangers. Rafaela made his fifth start at shortstop since being called up from Triple-A Worcester in late August. During stints in Worcester and Double-A Portland, the organization had him mainly focus on outfield. He's slashing .305/.328/.492 in 61 plate appearances (20 games) since his arrival in the majors.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Taking seat Friday

  Rotowire Sep 15, 2023

  Rafaela is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Toronto, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Rafaela had made five straight starts and is coming off a four-hit day during Thursday's doubleheader versus the Yankees. He'll begin this one on the bench though, as the Red Sox open up a weekend series north of the border.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Collects four hits across twin bill

  Rotowire Sep 15, 2023

  Rafaela went 4-for-9 with a solo home run, a double and three total runs across both games of Thursday's doubleheader split with the Yankees. Rafaela collected a pair of hits in each contest, including two extra-base knocks -- a solo homer and a double -- in the matinee. The rookie center fielder batted in the leadoff spot in both games and has now made five consecutive starts for Boston. Rafaela has fared well so far in his short time as a major-leaguer, slashing .368/.400/.632 with two homers, four doubles, three RBI, nine runs and a stolen base over 40 plate appearances. However, he's been punched out 15 times, so the sterling batting average may not be sustainable.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Collects hit in first start

  Rotowire Aug 31, 2023

  Rafaela went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Astros. Despite spending most of the season in the minors patrolling center field, Rafaela's first big-league start came at shortstop as he gave Trevor Story a breather. The rookie delivered from the leadoff spot, with his first MLB extra-base hit banging off the Green Monster in the sixth inning to drive in his first MLB run. With Boston still on the fringes of the wild-card picture and Adam Duvall hot again at the plate, Rafaela could have a hard time finding a consistent spot in the lineup in the short term, but the 22-year-old prospect is talented enough to force the Red Sox to make room for him down the stretch.

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• Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Receives call-up to majors

  Rotowire Aug 28, 2023

  Rafaela was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Rafaela has dazzled at the plate and on the basepaths between stops at Worcester and Double-A Portland this season, slashing .302/.349/.520 with 20 home runs and 37 stolen bases over 485 plate appearances. The Red Sox are now ready to give one of their top prospects a shot at the top level, though Rafaela won't immediately enter the lineup. Even with Jarren Duran (toe) on the injured list and Wilyer Abreu (personal) on the paternity list, Rafaela may be limited to a fourth-outfielder role since the trio of Alex Verdugo, Adam Duvall and Masataka Yoshida typically serves as Boston's starting outfielders.

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