Red Sox may already have their next franchise cornerstone in Ceddanne Rafaela

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Red Sox may already have their next franchise cornerstone in Ceddanne Rafaela originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While the Boston Red Sox’ season has definitely not gone as expected, they do have a few beacons of hope. Their pitching staff is the main one, but they do have a couple players on offense that seem like they truly will be future superstars for them when they hit their prime.

One of those players is their Gold Glove center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, who showed tons of promise last year. He’s leveled up offensively, and his Gold Glove defense is still holding strong.

Flashes of superstardom were shown last season​

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Last year, Rafaela was starting to show why he’s the main man in center field. He slashed .249/.295/.414/.708 with 34 doubles, 16 home runs, 63 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 156 games.

On top of that, he finished with a 21 OAA (Outs Above Average) at center field, the best in the American League and second-best in the MLB. That stat, plus his overall stellar defensive play, is what earned him his aforementioned first Gold Glove.

This season is a real breakout for Rafaela​

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This year, Rafaela has truly leveled up his game offensively. He’s one of the Sox’ best hitters, slashing .275/.342/.420/.762 with four doubles, four home runs, and 19 RBI in 41 games.

As for his defense, he’s already in the top five in OAA in the outfield with four. He’s tied with his teammate and two-time Gold Glove right fielder, Wilyer Abreu for fifth place, and he’s in third place for all center fielders, second in the AL.

Rafaela’s future this season​

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It seems obvious to most people that Rafaela will probably be one of Boston’s All-Star representatives, as he sure has earned it. Him, Abreu, Willson Contreras, Ranger Suarez and Aroldis Chapman will all at least be considered for the honor.

As for another Gold Glove in his future, it seems pretty likely. Also, with his breakout and rise in popularity, winning his first Platinum Glove could also be on the table, as long as he keeps making stunning plays.

Hopefully he does both, so the Sox have something to look forward to for years to come.

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