MLB's Newest Hall of Famer Takes Dig at Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela Treatment Two years into his Boston Red Sox career, center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela remains a puzzle for fans and analysts alike. Despite winning his first Gold Glove Award and accumulating nearly five wins above replacement (bWAR) in 2024, the 25-year-old has struggled to maintain consistency at the plate. His defensive versatility has also led to frequent position changes, with the Red Sox placing him at shortstop for 82 games as a rookie and second base for 24 games last season. As Rafaela aims to solidify his place among baseball’s elite in 2026, his fellow countryman and recently inducted Hall of Famer Andruw Jones has voiced concerns about how the Red Sox have handled his development. Jones, who managed Rafaela with Team Netherlands during the World Baseball Classic, shared his thoughts with WEEI’s Rob Bradford. “I was kind of mad with the way Boston was handling him a little bit,” Jones said. “Putting him at shortstop, putting him in center field, moving him around. He’s a great defender in center field, so hopefully they can keep him there and let him win as many Gold Gloves as he can win.” Jones praised Rafaela’s growth over the past two seasons, calling him “a very special kid” and emphasizing his potential to become a standout center fielder. The Red Sox’s approach to Rafaela has drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike. Last season, Rafaela’s performance fluctuated significantly depending on his position. When he played center field, he posted a .268 batting average with a .772 OPS in 509 plate appearances. However, after being moved to second base following an injury to Marcelo Mayer, his numbers plummeted. In 79 games at second base, he hit .132 with a .309 OPS and no home runs.#andruw_jones #world_baseball_classic #ceddanne_rafaela #mlb #boston_red_sox
Ceddanne Rafaela Seeks to Learn from Andruw Jones in World Baseball Classic Ceddanne Rafaela, the 25-year-old Red Sox center fielder, sees playing for the Netherlands under manager Andruw Jones in the World Baseball Classic as an opportunity to grow as a player. For Rafaela, the experience mirrors the process of pursuing higher education, offering a chance to learn from one of the game’s greatest defensive stars. Jones, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and Hall of Fame inductee, has been a mentor figure for Rafaela, who expressed admiration for his career and defensive prowess. Rafaela, who made his WBC debut with the Netherlands in a loss to Venezuela, emphasized his eagerness to absorb lessons from Jones. “I want to be a complete player like he was,” Rafaela said. “There’s a lot I can learn from talking to somebody who had the kind of career that he did.” Jones, who has been a guiding presence for Curacaoan players in the majors, recalled hearing about Rafaela years ago through coaches and players. “They knew he was coming,” Jones said. “I’m proud of all of them. It’s a small island and baseball is big. They love the game.” The connection between Rafaela and Jones extends beyond their shared nationality and position. Both hail from Curacao, a Caribbean island with a strong baseball tradition. Since Hensley Meulens became the first Curacaoan to reach the majors in 1989, 17 players have followed. Jones, who has been a mentor to many, noted that Rafaela’s potential was recognized early. “Coaches back home said he was a great shortstop,” Jones said. “When I saw him on TV, I realized he’s a special kid.” Despite the natural comparisons between Rafaela and Jones, the latter insists the focus should be on Rafaela’s own development. “There’s only going to be one [Andruw Jones],” Jones said.#andruw_jones #curacao #world_baseball_classic #ceddanne_rafaela #jurickson_profar
Druw Jones rips RBI double in World Baseball Classic, father celebrates in dugout Diamondbacks outfielder prospect Druw Jones made an immediate impact in the World Baseball Classic, hitting an RBI double in the Netherlands’ opening Pool D game against Venezuela. His father, Hall of Famer Andruw Jones, watched from the dugout, marking the first time a father-son duo has ever been a manager-player pair in the tournament’s history. The younger Jones, 22, is representing the Netherlands for the first time in his career, while his father, who hails from Curacao—a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands—makes his managerial debut. Druw shared that his father had already secured his place on the roster when he learned he would be managing. “He was like, ‘Hey, man, if you’re going to be able to play, we’re going to have you on the roster,’” Druw said. “Of course I’m going to accept. Just had to wait on the team’s approval, and they were all backing it 100 percent.” In the second inning of the Netherlands’ game against Venezuela, Jones grounded a sinker up the middle and hustled to second base for an RBI double, scoring the team’s first run of the tournament. His performance was highlighted by social media, with tweets from the World Baseball Classic and MLB celebrating the moment. Jones also contributed another RBI in his third at-bat with a sacrifice fly that scored Didi Gregorius. Despite striking out in his second plate appearance, his offensive output showcased his growing impact. The younger Jones, known for his defensive prowess, was recently named Minor League Defensive Player of the Year and has been a Gold Glove recipient in the minors. In spring training games with the Diamondbacks, Jones has slashed .333/.333/.500 with two doubles in 12 plate appearances.#andruw_jones #curacao #world_baseball_classic #druw_jones #diamondbacks
Ronald Acuna Jr. Trolls Braves Teammate Ozzie Albies After 2026 World Baseball Classic Matchup Atlanta Braves teammates Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies faced off in the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Friday, with Acuña leading Venezuela to a 6-2 victory over the Netherlands in the opening game of Pool D. After the contest, Acuña shared a message for Albies, who played for the Netherlands. Acuña performed strongly in the game, contributing a double and two runs from the leadoff position. Albies, however, struggled at the cleanup spot, going 0-for-4. Despite the outcome, both players appeared to enjoy the matchup, showcasing their competitive spirit. The game also featured other Braves-affiliated players. Chadwick Tromp, a former big league catcher with the team from 2022 to 2025, started behind the plate for the Netherlands. The Netherlands’ manager was Andruw Jones, a Braves legend and soon-to-be Baseball Hall of Famer. Venezuela and the Netherlands are set to play again on Saturday, with the Netherlands facing Nicaragua and Venezuela taking on Israel. The matchups continue to highlight the intersection of MLB talent and international competition in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.#ozzie_albies #andruw_jones #world_baseball_classic #ronald_acuna_jr #chadwick_tromp
Ronald Acuña Jr. and Venezuela to Face Ozzie Albies and Netherlands in World Baseball Classic The 2026 World Baseball Classic kicked off today with a matchup featuring two Atlanta Braves stars, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, representing their respective teams. The first game of Pool D in Miami took place at loanDepot park, where Acuña and Venezuela faced off against Albies and the Netherlands, which included players like Jurickson Profar and Chadwick Tromp. Andruw Jones, a former Braves great, served as the Netherlands’ manager, adding a familiar Braves connection to the game. The contest, scheduled for Friday, March 6, at 12:00 p.m. ET, offered fans a chance to watch Acuña and Albies compete in high-stakes action earlier than usual. While the outcome remains uncertain, Braves supporters are expected to find value in the matchup regardless of the result. The game will be broadcast via MLB Audio and Sirius XM, providing access for fans unable to attend in person.#venezuela #ronald_acua_jr #ozzie_albies #netherlands #andruw_jones
