Red Sox manager Alex Cora believes Ceddanne Rafaela should be in the mix to win American League Rookie of the Year this season.
The 23-year-old’s stats of late and his defensive prowess should earn him serious consideration for the award.
Rafaela’s .248 batting average and .698 through the first three-and-a-half months of the season might not stand out upon first glance. Dig a little bit deeper into his more recent numbers at the plate and impact in the field, and Cora’s remarks will make sense.
Whether he’s playing at shortstop or in center field, Rafaela often looks like a veteran with the glove despite playing in his first full MLB season.