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NEW YORK — Another day, another Red Sox player named to the All-Star team.
Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela was added to the American League roster Friday, becoming the fourth Boston player to be honored. Rafaela — a first-time All-Star — replaced injured Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge in the game.
“I feel great. I’m excited... A lot of emotions,” Rafaela said at Citi Field. “I was happy. Then called my family with a couple of tears in my eyes. It’s just happiness.”
As the Red Sox waited on the tarmac at Chicago’s Midway Airport during their hellish, 24-hour travel day en route to New York, interim manager Chad Tracy made the announcement of Rafaela’s selection over the plane’s intercom system. Tracy, after being informed by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow earlier in the day, said the news gave the Red Sox “a lift” 15 hours into their journey.
“That was another one we were watching closely because just seeing the year he has put up on both sides of the ball,” Tracy said. “That was awesome news to get today.
“A bunch of guys were standing there to smack him and give him a big hug. He put his head in his hands for quite a while, maybe some tears. It means a lot to him to be recognized in that way.”
Added Rafaela: “It was special for me that the team was really excited for me. That moment was special for sure.”
In his third full major league season, the 25-year-old Rafaela has taken significant steps forward, showing more consistency at the plate to add to his usual standout defense. Entering Friday’s game against the Mets, Rafaela is hitting .283 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and a .767 OPS in 87 games while ranking second among AL center fielders in defensive runs saved (DRS) with 15. He’s tied for third in the league in doubles (21) and triples (3) and 10th in the AL in hits (93).
“I think I’ve learned to make this my happy place this year,” Rafaela told MassLive in late June. “I’m really enjoying coming to the ballpark. Yeah, man. I’ve learned a lot this year. Besides baseball, I had to grow and learn a lot and make this my happy place.”
According to FanGraphs, Rafaela — who won his first Gold Glove in center field last year — ranks second among AL outfielders in WAR with 2.8. He trails only Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, who is an All-Star but will miss the game due to injury. Mike Trout, Riley Greene and Cody Bellinger will start for the American League with Rafaela and Randy Arozarena serving as reserves.
Rafaela joins teammates Ranger Suarez, Aroldis Chapman and Willson Contreras on the All-Star team though Suarez, who was placed on the injured list Thursday, won’t pitch. Rotation mate Sonny Gray was seen as a potential replacement for Suarez but that spot instead went to Tampa Bay righty Nick Martinez, who was named to the team alongside Rafaela on Friday.
Rafaela plans to have a group of relatives in Philadelphia for the festivities.
“(I’ll) enjoy that time with my family,” he said. “It’s the first one, so I’m really going to enjoy it."
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