Red Sox
Rafaela brought his RBI total up to 33 in the Red Sox’ 7-3 win over Detroit.
Ceddanne Rafaela has been making highlight-reel defensive plays from center field, but on Friday he had a career day at the plate.
The budding star hit a pair of home runs, one three-run homer and then a two-run long ball on his next at-bat. Following the Red Sox’ 7-3 win over the Detroit Tigers, Rafaela now leads all rookies with 33 RBIs. He’s tied for second among rookies in home runs (7).
Both his home runs came in similar fashion, struck hard toward the Green Monster and having just enough steam to make it over. His second of the night hit the top of the wall and bounced back into play, but was called a good home run.
Rafaela hits low in the order, and is only batting .211 on the season. Yet, he’s still found ways to impact the Red Sox offense. His 33 RBIs not only lead rookies, it also leads all of Boston’s batters.
The outfielder has only been getting better offensively; he batted .156 over his first 27 games of the year, and is at .260 in his last 30. Six of his seven home runs have also come in that 30-game span.
That output, coupled with Rafaela’s versatility, makes him a valuable young talent for the Red Sox. He can be Boston’s everyday center fielder, but also jump in to play the middle of the infield in a pinch.
Certainly, there’s plenty of room for Rafaela to grow as a ball player, but he’s been a bright spot in what, through two months, has been another underwhelming season for the Red Sox.
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