If you're a pitcher in Boston, you’ve got to be thrilled knowing Ceddanne Rafaela is anchoring the outfield at Fenway Park. The 25-year-old has already carved out a name for himself as one of the premier defensive players in the game - and he’s just getting started.
Rafaela captured a Gold Glove in only his second full season, leading all center fielders with 20 defensive runs saved - a number that jumps off the page, especially when you consider he spent part of the summer playing second base. That kind of versatility is rare.
That kind of impact? Even rarer.
MLB Network’s Mike Petriello certainly took notice. In a recent segment on “MLB Now,” Petriello ranked his top 10 defenders across all of Major League Baseball, and Rafaela landed at No.
- He was flanked by two other elite center fielders - Pete Crow-Armstrong and Denzel Clark - and Petriello admitted you could make a case for any of the three to top the list.
The No. 1 spot went to San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey, who just picked up his second straight Gold Glove in 2025. Rounding out the top five were Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who continues to rack up accolades on both sides of the ball. The rest of the top 10 featured Alejandro Kirk, Jacob Young, Nico Hoerner - a name that’s popped up on Boston’s radar as a potential trade target - and Steven Kwan.
But back to Rafaela. His rise has been fast, and his glove has done most of the talking. Even Crow-Armstrong, who got the slight edge from Petriello, didn’t hesitate to call Rafaela “the best in the game” when backing him for the American League’s Platinum Glove - an award that ultimately went to Witt.
That kind of peer respect speaks volumes. And it’s also a reminder that Boston might want to think twice before moving Rafaela around the diamond again.
While his defense held up at second base, his bat didn’t. Offensively, he struggled to find rhythm after the position switch, and if the Red Sox want to unlock his full potential, keeping him in center field - where he’s clearly most comfortable - could be the key.
Rafaela has already shown he can change a game with his glove. Now, if he can find more consistency at the plate, Boston might just have a star on both sides of the ball for years to come.