The Boston Red Sox had a 29-29 record heading into June. It was a familiar position for the franchise, which has reached.500 18 times this season. It appeared unlikely that Boston could maintain a regular and sustained winning streak. But by the middle of the month, the Red Sox were ready to go for it. Fortunately for the club, so was its youngest player. Prior to Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Boston had won eight of its last nine games. And rookie Ceddanne Rafaela is driving the Red Sox’s recent hot streak.
Ceddanne Rafaela Leads Red Sox’s Recent Hot Stretch
Rafaela’s performance during the last week makes it difficult to believe he was batting.210 had a sub-.600 OPS eight days ago. The 23-year-old is currently enjoying the most successful period of his professional career. Rafaela is on a seven-game hitting run, with six multi-hit games. He has considerably upped his average and is producing at a superior level while being at the bottom of the order. Rafaela’s hitting average has been astounding during his run.615 with 16 hits, four RBI, two walks, and one home run. Boston won all but one of those matches.
CEDDANNE RAFAELA IS THE HOTTEST MAN ALIVE! pic.twitter.com/HZojHwQ6bd
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) June 19, 2024
The hot streak began June 12 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Rafaela had two hits and one run in an 8-6 victory. He had another two-knock day in the series-clinching victory over Philadelphia. Rafaela was unconcerned with the change in opponent, as he proceeded to dominate the AL-leading New York Yankees. After recording one hit in the first game of a three-game series, the Curacao native went 6-8 with two three-hit games against the Bronx Bombers. Rafaela, as the ninth hitter, was contributing significantly to the top of the lineup. He finished the home series against New York with a.238 batting average on the season.
The bat remained hot as the Red Sox crossed the border to meet the Toronto Blue Jays. Rafaela hit his first home run of the month on June 17th, a towering shot. He finished the day with two hits and one walk. The next day, he had three hits and four total bases. Despite an off-day in the series’ final game, which the Sox won, Rafaela’s impact was noticed. He hit nine bases in two games, raising his season average to.251.
CEDDANNE RAFAELA SECOND DECK MY GOODNESS pic.twitter.com/mN1zYsIQOR
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) June 17, 2024
Rafaela’s latest performances have also made Boston history. He became the first Red Sox ninth-inning batter to reach base three or more times in four consecutive games. Rafaela has the opportunity to make it five when Boston takes on Cincinnati on Friday.
Zooming Out on Rafaela’s 2024 Season
Despite her recent hot streak, Rafaela has not always had a good year. The 23-year-old struggled out of the gate. Rafaela, who alternated between shortstop and centre field, was batting just.186 at the end of April. It appeared that he struggled to adjust to MLB pitching. Rafaela’s average remained below.200 till May 5. His poor OPS of.515 provided an even bleaker picture. However, his final 30 games have revitalised his season.
Rafaela has a.309 hitting average and an OPS of nearly.800 in his last 30 games. It’s been a huge help to Boston’s offence, as the right-handed hitter has scored 18 runs from the nine-hole during that time. Rafaela’s last seven games accounted for over half of his total hits.
Ceddanne Rafaela is the first player in Red Sox history to reach base 3+ times in 4 consecutive games, all while batting 9th in the lineup.
3-for-4
3-for-4
2-for-3, BB
3-for-4Rafaela leads MLB rookies in RBI (41), runs scored (36), and total bases (104).
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) June 19, 2024
Despite some questionable hitting averages this season, Rafaela’s RBI performance has remained consistent. In 73 games, he has 41 RBIs. In his 28 games in 2023, he had only five RBI. In 2024, there is a noticeable difference, to the point that he outperforms renowned superstars in the category. Rafaela presently leads all rookies in runs batted in while ranking 32nd overall. He ranks higher than Mookie Betts, Marcus Semien, Yordan Alvarez, and Matt Olson. For a 23-year-old with no experience, that’s quite outstanding.
How hot has Ceddanne Rafaela been in the month of June? 🔥
16 Games – 64 PA
.377/.406/.475/.882
1 HR, 3 2B
31.3% K%
4.7% BB%
3/5 SB
148 wRC+Over the last week: .615/.643/.846/1.489 with a 21.4 K% and 7.1% BB%. 321 wRC+. pic.twitter.com/0mZgBmp3ee
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) June 19, 2024
He’s also been strong defensively lately. Rafaela has seen more time in Boston’s outfield since the emergence of shortstop David Hamilton. He does so with elegance, intelligence, and talent. Rafaela is making every effort to replicate his hitting production on defence, despite the fact that it is practically impossible. In 2024, the rookie will establish himself as an all-around playmaker. Rafaela only needed time to properly bloom out.
Ceddanne Rafaela is special. pic.twitter.com/p6igu6x03g
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 18, 2024
