Catch him if you can.
Ceddanne Rafaela is known for his Gold Glove-potential defense and serious speed, but he took the latter to the next level over the weekend. On Saturday, the Double-A Portland standout set a franchise record when he stole six bases in one game. He was originally credited with seven, but his ninth-inning grab was later changed to defensive indifference.
According to Major League Baseball, only four players in American and National League history have stolen six bases in a game, the first of whom had significant ties to Boston baseball. Philadelphia Athletics star Eddie Collins had a 6-steal game in 1912, 21 years before new Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey hired him to be his club’s vice president and general manager. Collins famously signed Bobby Doerr and Ted Williams during the same scouting trip, but is also infamous for his involvement in the organization’s decision to pass on Jackie Robinson.
But back to Rafaela, because the 22-year-old showed up for Sunday’s game hungry for more. He stole three bases, all in the first three innings, bringing his season total up to 19 in 28 games.
“Stealing bases has been part of my game since the day I was signed,” Rafaela told reporters after Saturday’s game. “It’s in my mind that I have to get 30, that’s the goal. I was close last year, but I didn’t get there. That drives me.”
He stole 28 bases over 116 games between High-A and Double-A last season, and at this rate, it’s all but guaranteed that he’ll reach his desired goal. Most likely, he’ll blow past it.
But how long will he remain in Double-A?
Entering Sunday’s game, the infielder-turned-outfielder had 28 hits in his first 27 contests, including seven doubles and a home run, 17 runs, 16 RBI, six walks, and 28 strikeouts.
Given his breakout performance in 2022 and his invitation to major league camp this spring, many were surprised when the Red Sox decided not to promote him to Triple-A for the start of the minor league season.
At the time, sources told the Herald that it wasn’t an indictment of his performance in Fort Myers (16 games, 7-for-32, 5 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K). Rather, Rafaela’s potential is so enormous that the Red Sox aren’t trying to move him up too quickly, especially when there are still areas in which they want him to improve, namely plate discipline.
And with Jarren Duran’s newfound success this year, there’s no need to rush Rafaela now, but as he continues to impress, they won’t be able to keep him down for long.
On the mound, Chris Sale has been one of the game’s scariest pitchers.
But underneath that fearsome exterior lies a philanthropic heart, and it was on display Sunday, when the veteran southpaw hosted a group of breast cancer survivors and Susan G. Komen Foundation staff and donated a suite for them to watch the Mother’s Day game.
Sale has been donating a suite each month since 2018, but of the various causes he supports, this one is especially personal.
“Breast cancer is a disease that has affected so many people, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to host this incredible group at Fenway Park on Mother’s Day. My grandmother had breast cancer and that was a big reason for me to be involved,” said Sale.
Joely Rodríguez is expected to be activated this week, “in the upcoming days,” Alex Cora said Sunday afternoon. “We’ll see where we’re at, how he feels, but he’ll be in the next series.”
The left-handed reliever has yet to make his Red Sox debut; an oblique strain during spring training landed him on the injured list to start the season.
“He’s a guy that we trust,” the Red Sox manager said. “Little by little, he’s going to be come a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish, and we’re happy to have him.”
Starting Monday, the Seattle Mariners are in town for three consecutive nights of 7:10 PM games before an off-day on Thursday and a road trip that will keep them out of town until June.
Probable pitching matchups: RHP Tanner Houck/RHP George Kirby, RHP Nick Pivetta/RHP Luis Castillo, RHP Brayan Bello/LHP Marco Gonzales