Ceddanne Rafaela

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: Rafaela’s diminutive stature made him easy to overlook as an amateur in Curacao, but Red Sox evaluators were captivated by his speed, defense, energy and bat-to-ball skills. He looked like a potential utility infielder until 2021, when he thrived with a move to center field and a swing adjustment. He eliminated a hitch with a higher hand load position which allowed him to start barreling balls in the air. Tasked with becoming a more disciplined hitter in 2023, the hyper-aggressive Rafaela lapsed at times into passivity at Double-A Portland but found a balance in mid May that fueled a long run at Triple-A Worcester and culminated in his Aug. 28 MLB debut.
  
  Scouting Report: Rafaela’s size and pre-swing setup--hands held high above his head, then lowered to shoulder height before whipping the barrel through the zone--invariably draws comparisons with Mookie Betts, but his offensive approach is the polar opposite of the superstar. Though he has the bat life to drive the ball with average raw power, Rafaela is a free-swinger who has posted sky-high chase rates in the minors, and big league pitchers readily exploited the trait in 2024. Red Sox officials believe he made progress focusing on areas where he could do damage over the 2023 season, when he posted his second straight 20-20 season. Rafaela’s excellent first step in center field, plus speed, fearlessness and creativity offer elite defensive potential, and he also can play a solid shortstop.
  
  The Future: As a potential Gold Glove center fielder, Rafaela must prove his offensive approach will offer enough consistency to play every day. He likely will open 2024 at Worcester to further hone his plate discipline, but he seems likely to spend considerable time in the big leagues.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Field: 70 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #3 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
  
  Track Record: As an undersized amateur in Curacao, Rafaela caught the attention of Red Sox scouts with dynamic defense, a knack for getting the barrel to the ball--with surprising flashes of pop--and incredible on-field energy. Boston signed him for $10,000, hoping he would develop into a utility player. Rafaela's career transformed in 2021 when he made a fish-to-water move from shortstop to center field and also raised his hands to smooth a hitch in his swing. He started smoking balls in the air rather than beating them into the ground. A strong second half for Low-A Salem in 2021 served as a prelude to a breakout campaign in 2022 in which Rafaela had 63 extra-base hits and 28 steals for High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland while delivering frequent web gems.
  
  Scouting Report: Rafaela's stance has visual similarities to that of Mookie Betts. He rests his bat on his shoulder before moving it overhead as the pitcher starts his delivery, then draws it back like a slingshot as the ball is released. Despite an incredibly aggressive approach, his hand-eye coordination has always yielded a high contact rate, and in 2022 he barreled balls regularly. Walks will likely be a rarity, but if Rafaela can improve his swing decisions, he possesses average or better hit and power potential. That's a tantalizing package given his show-stopping defense. Rafaela's great jumps placed him as one of the best defensive center fielders in pro ball, and he also shows above-average potential at short. His plus speed is also an asset.
  
  The Future: Even with modest offense, Rafaela's defense gives him a floor in the mold of outfielders such as Jose Siri, Harrison Bader or Jackie Bradley Jr. If he becomes more disciplined, he could be an above-average regular in center or super-utility option. He should finish 2023 in the big leagues.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #22 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Rafaela has commanded attention since signing for $10,000 as someone whose tools vastly exceed his size. He’s posted solid numbers throughout his career, including a .251/.305/.424 line with 10 homers and 23 steals in 102 games in Low-A Salem in 2021. Yet it was his defense that truly stood out. Rafaela, who’d moved around the infield in 2018-19, emerged as a dazzling outfielder in 2021, grading as easily the best in the system while opening a path as a super-utility player.
  
  Scouting Report: Rafaela’s unexpected bat speed is particularly apparent against lefties (.267/.304/.627 with four homers). His speed shows up on the bases and in the field, where Rafaela takes excellent routes and jumps on hard-to-reach contact to the outfield. His arm grades as above-average to plus in both the infield and outfield. His bat-to-ball skills are a double-edged sword, as he had a reasonable 18.3% strikeout rate but with a tendency to chase pitches on which he made weak contact. His 5.8% walk rate is concerning, and he’ll need to hone his approach to have a chance to be more than a glove-first reserve.
  
  The Future: With greater selectivity, Rafaela could become a super-utility player who is a plus defender at every position. If that doesn’t happen, he looks like a valuable reserve who can fill in anywhere.
  
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #29 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Though Rafaela didn't look much bigger when he signed for $10,000 as a 16-year-old than he did when playing for Curacao in the Little League World Series as an 11-year-old, he's shown not only plus running speed but also surprisingly loud contact in the lower minors. His track record includes a .244/.319/.409 batting line with six home runs and nine stolen bases in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Lowell in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rafaela is hard to miss. His high-energy style of play is evident in every aspect of the game and he turns heads with his unexpected bat speed and ability to put a charge in pitches in the zone, particularly against lefthanders. However, his bat-to-ball skills can work against him given that he's a free-swinger who is prone to weak contact against pitches outside the zone. Still, he has a chance to offer relatively solid impact as a versatile up-the-middle player, at least at second base and shortstop with the possibility of future work in center field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rafaela's ability to hone his aggressiveness will dictate his future. His most likely role is as a versatile reserve.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #24 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Rafaela has been no stranger to the international scene, having played for Curacao in the 2012 Little World Series. Still, Rafaela was easy to overlook as a diminutive second baseman in Curacao. The Red Sox saw a player who had above-average speed, impressive bat speed and excellent makeup.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Although listed at just 5-foot-8, Rafaela still intrigues, possessing longer limbs with a live, wiry build with room to fill. Over two years in pro ball, Rafaela has made strong impressions on evaluators who have been drawn to his high-energy style of play, hand-eye coordination and surprising pop. Rafaela shows good presence in the box with a loose, inside-out stroke and good balance. As an undersized aggressive hitter, he will need to be more selective to take advantage of contact potential with experience and maturity. He appears best suited as an athletic utility type.
  
  THE FUTURE: After participating in the Red Sox's instructional league the past two years, Rafaela appears headed to Lowell in 2020.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #94 prospect in 2024
• Ranked Baseball America's #71 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
  
  Track Record: As an undersized amateur in Curacao, Rafaela caught the attention of Red Sox scouts with dynamic defense, a knack for getting the barrel to the ball--with surprising flashes of pop--and incredible on-field energy. Boston signed him for $10,000, hoping he would develop into a utility player. Rafaela's career transformed in 2021 when he made a fish-to-water move from shortstop to center field and also raised his hands to smooth a hitch in his swing. He started smoking balls in the air rather than beating them into the ground. A strong second half for Low-A Salem in 2021 served as a prelude to a breakout campaign in 2022 in which Rafaela had 63 extra-base hits and 28 steals for High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland while delivering frequent web gems.
  
  Scouting Report: Rafaela's stance has visual similarities to that of Mookie Betts. He rests his bat on his shoulder before moving it overhead as the pitcher starts his delivery, then draws it back like a slingshot as the ball is released. Despite an incredibly aggressive approach, his hand-eye coordination has always yielded a high contact rate, and in 2022 he barreled balls regularly. Walks will likely be a rarity, but if Rafaela can improve his swing decisions, he possesses average or better hit and power potential. That's a tantalizing package given his show-stopping defense. Rafaela's great jumps placed him as one of the best defensive center fielders in pro ball, and he also shows above-average potential at short. His plus speed is also an asset.
  
  The Future: Even with modest offense, Rafaela's defense gives him a floor in the mold of outfielders such as Jose Siri, Harrison Bader or Jackie Bradley Jr. If he becomes more disciplined, he could be an above-average regular in center or super-utility option. He should finish 2023 in the big leagues.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
  
  Track Record: As an undersized amateur in Curacao, Rafaela caught the attention of Red Sox scouts with dynamic defense, a knack for getting the barrel to the ball--with surprising flashes of pop--and incredible on-field energy. Boston signed him for $10,000, hoping he would develop into a utility player. Rafaela's career transformed in 2021 when he made a fish-to-water move from shortstop to center field and also raised his hands to smooth a hitch in his swing. He started smoking balls in the air rather than beating them into the ground. A strong second half for Low-A Salem in 2021 served as a prelude to a breakout campaign in 2022 in which Rafaela had 63 extra-base hits and 28 steals for High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland while delivering frequent web gems.
  
  Scouting Report: Rafaela's stance has visual similarities to that of Mookie Betts. He rests his bat on his shoulder before moving it overhead as the pitcher starts his delivery, then draws it back like a slingshot as the ball is released. Despite an incredibly aggressive approach, his hand-eye coordination has always yielded a high contact rate, and in 2022 he barreled balls regularly. Walks will likely be a rarity, but if Rafaela can improve his swing decisions, he possesses average or better hit and power potential. That's a tantalizing package given his show-stopping defense. Rafaela's great jumps placed him as one of the best defensive center fielders in pro ball, and he also shows above-average potential at short. His plus speed is also an asset.
  
  The Future: Even with modest offense, Rafaela's defense gives him a floor in the mold of outfielders such as Jose Siri, Harrison Bader or Jackie Bradley Jr. If he becomes more disciplined, he could be an above-average regular in center or super-utility option. He should finish 2023 in the big leagues.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: Rafaela has commanded attention since signing for $10,000 as someone whose tools vastly exceed his size. He&#39s posted solid numbers throughout his career, including a .251/.305/.424 line with 10 homers and 23 steals in 102 games in Low-A Salem in 2021. Yet it was his defense that truly stood out. Rafaela, who&#39d moved around the infield in 2018-19, emerged as a dazzling outfielder in 2021, grading as easily the best in the system while opening a path as a super-utility player.
  
  Scouting Report: Rafaela&#39s unexpected bat speed is particularly apparent against lefties (.267/.304/.627 with four homers). His speed shows up on the bases and in the field, where Rafaela takes excellent routes and jumps on hard-to-reach contact to the outfield. His arm grades as above-average to plus in both the infield and outfield. His bat-to-ball skills are a double-edged sword, as he had a reasonable 18.3% strikeout rate but with a tendency to chase pitches on which he made weak contact. His 5.8% walk rate is concerning, and he&#39ll need to hone his approach to have a chance to be more than a glove-first reserve.
  
  The Future: With greater selectivity, Rafaela could become a super-utility player who is a plus defender at every position. If that doesn&#39t happen, he looks like a valuable reserve who can fill in anywhere.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Run: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Rafaela has commanded attention since signing for $10,000 as someone whose tools vastly exceed his size. He’s posted solid numbers throughout his career, including a .251/.305/.424 line with 10 homers and 23 steals in 102 games in Low-A Salem in 2021. Yet it was his defense that truly stood out. Rafaela, who’d moved around the infield in 2018-19, emerged as a dazzling outfielder in 2021, grading as easily the best in the system while opening a path as a super-utility player.
  
  Scouting Report: Rafaela’s unexpected bat speed is particularly apparent against lefties (.267/.304/.627 with four homers). His speed shows up on the bases and in the field, where Rafaela takes excellent routes and jumps on hard-to-reach contact to the outfield. His arm grades as above-average to plus in both the infield and outfield. His bat-to-ball skills are a double-edged sword, as he had a reasonable 18.3% strikeout rate but with a tendency to chase pitches on which he made weak contact. His 5.8% walk rate is concerning, and he’ll need to hone his approach to have a chance to be more than a glove-first reserve.
  
  The Future: With greater selectivity, Rafaela could become a super-utility player who is a plus defender at every position. If that doesn’t happen, he looks like a valuable reserve who can fill in anywhere.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Though Rafaela didn't look much bigger when he signed for $10,000 as a 16-year-old than he did when playing for Curacao in the Little League World Series as an 11-year-old, he's shown not only plus running speed but also surprisingly loud contact in the lower minors. His track record includes a .244/.319/.409 batting line with six home runs and nine stolen bases in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Lowell in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rafaela is hard to miss. His high-energy style of play is evident in every aspect of the game and he turns heads with his unexpected bat speed and ability to put a charge in pitches in the zone, particularly against lefthanders. However, his bat-to-ball skills can work against him given that he's a free-swinger who is prone to weak contact against pitches outside the zone. Still, he has a chance to offer relatively solid impact as a versatile up-the-middle player, at least at second base and shortstop with the possibility of future work in center field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rafaela's ability to hone his aggressiveness will dictate his future. His most likely role is as a versatile reserve.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Though Rafaela didn't look much bigger when he signed for $10,000 as a 16-year-old than he did when playing for Curacao in the Little League World Series as an 11-year-old, he's shown not only plus running speed but also surprisingly loud contact in the lower minors. His track record includes a .244/.319/.409 batting line with six home runs and nine stolen bases in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Lowell in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rafaela is hard to miss. His high-energy style of play is evident in every aspect of the game and he turns heads with his unexpected bat speed and ability to put a charge in pitches in the zone, particularly against lefthanders. However, his bat-to-ball skills can work against him given that he's a free-swinger who is prone to weak contact against pitches outside the zone. Still, he has a chance to offer relatively solid impact as a versatile up-the-middle player, at least at second base and shortstop with the possibility of future work in center field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rafaela's ability to hone his aggressiveness will dictate his future. His most likely role is as a versatile reserve.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Though Rafaela didn't look much bigger when he signed for $10,000 as a 16-year-old than he did when playing for Curacao in the Little League World Series as an 11-year-old, he's shown not only plus running speed but also surprisingly loud contact in the lower minors. His track record includes a .244/.319/.409 batting line with six home runs and nine stolen bases in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Lowell in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rafaela is hard to miss. His high-energy style of play is evident in every aspect of the game and he turns heads with his unexpected bat speed and ability to put a charge in pitches in the zone, particularly against lefthanders. However, his bat-to-ball skills can work against him given that he's a free-swinger who is prone to weak contact against pitches outside the zone. Still, he has a chance to offer relatively solid impact as a versatile up-the-middle player, at least at second base and shortstop with the possibility of future work in center field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rafaela's ability to hone his aggressiveness will dictate his future. His most likely role is as a versatile reserve.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rafaela has been no stranger to the international scene, having played for Curacao in the 2012 Little World Series. Still, Rafaela was easy to overlook as a diminutive second baseman in Curacao. The Red Sox saw a player who had above-average speed, impressive bat speed and excellent makeup.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Although listed at just 5-foot-8, Rafaela still intrigues, possessing longer limbs with a live, wiry build with room to fill. Over two years in pro ball, Rafaela has made strong impressions on evaluators who have been drawn to his high-energy style of play, hand-eye coordination and surprising pop. Rafaela shows good presence in the box with a loose, inside-out stroke and good balance. As an undersized aggressive hitter, he will need to be more selective to take advantage of contact potential with experience and maturity. He appears best suited as an athletic utility type.
  
  THE FUTURE: After participating in the Red Sox’s instructional league the past two years, Rafaela appears headed to Lowell in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rafaela has been no stranger to the international scene, having played for Curacao in the 2012 Little World Series. Still, Rafaela was easy to overlook as a diminutive second baseman in Curacao. The Red Sox saw a player who had above-average speed, impressive bat speed and excellent makeup.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Although listed at just 5-foot-8, Rafaela still intrigues, possessing longer limbs with a live, wiry build with room to fill. Over two years in pro ball, Rafaela has made strong impressions on evaluators who have been drawn to his high-energy style of play, hand-eye coordination and surprising pop. Rafaela shows good presence in the box with a loose, inside-out stroke and good balance. As an undersized aggressive hitter, he will need to be more selective to take advantage of contact potential with experience and maturity. He appears best suited as an athletic utility type.
  
  THE FUTURE: After participating in the Red Sox's instructional league the past two years, Rafaela appears headed to Lowell in 2020.