Alex Cora Details Red Sox’s Plan For Ceddanne Rafaela

Ceddanne Rafaela was one of the Boston Red Sox’s most versatile players last season, but it was clear where his true value for the club was.

Rafaela played 80 games at center field and shortstop after Trevor Story missed most of the season due to a shoulder injury. The 24-year-old provided multiple web gems at each position, but the advanced numbers showed he was much better in the outfield. According to FanGraphs, Rafaela was plus-12 in defensive runs saved at center field but a minus-2 at shortstop. He also was a plus-six in outs above average in centerfield compared to a minus-7 in the infield.

While he can do both, manager Alex Cora had a clear focus for the third-year big leaguer.

“He’s going to play (there) a lot. Most of his repetitions in spring training are going to be in center field,” Cora told reporters Wednesday, per the Boston Herald’s Marc Cerullo.

That would mean Boston’s Opening Day outfield trio would be Rafaela, Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu. How Roman Anthony and Masataka Yoshida would factor into things is unclear.

However, Cora and the coaching staff have been consistent about seeing Rafaela as a center fielder, and with multiple options in the infield, he’ll focus on that position during spring training.