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
