Catch him within the occasion you may.
Ceddanne Rafaela is believed for his Gold Glove-potential safety and extreme tempo, nevertheless he took the latter to the next stage over the weekend. On Saturday, the Double-A Portland standout set a franchise doc when he stole six bases in a single sport. He was initially credited with seven, nevertheless his ninth-inning seize was later modified to defensive indifference.
In accordance with Main League Baseball, solely 4 players in American and Nationwide League historic previous have stolen six bases in a sport, the first of whom had vital ties to Boston baseball. Philadelphia Athletics star Eddie Collins had a 6-steal sport in 1912, 21 years sooner than new Crimson Sox proprietor Tom Yawkey employed him to be his membership’s vice chairman and regular supervisor. Collins famously signed Bobby Doerr and Ted Williams all through the similar scouting journey, nevertheless can be infamous for his involvement inside the group’s decision to go on Jackie Robinson.
However once more to Rafaela, because of the 22-year-old confirmed up for Sunday’s sport hungry for additional. He stole three bases, all inside the first three innings, bringing his season complete as a lot as 19 in 28 video video games.
Ceddanne Rafaela who stole a franchise doc 6 bases yesterday, already has 3 as we communicate by way of three innings.
The person can’t be stopped! pic.twitter.com/f0oCDYfLYV
— Portland Sea Canine (@PortlandSeaDogs) May 14, 2023
“Stealing bases has been a part of my sport for the reason that day I used to be signed,” Rafaela instructed reporters after Saturday’s sport. “It’s in my thoughts that I’ve to get 30, that’s the aim. I used to be shut final yr, however I didn’t get there. That drives me.”
He stole 28 bases over 116 video video games between Excessive-A and Double-A last season, and at this worth, it’s all nevertheless assured that he’ll attain his desired goal. Most potential, he’ll blow earlier it.
However how prolonged will he keep in Double-A?
Coming into Sunday’s sport, the infielder-turned-outfielder had 28 hits in his first 27 contests, along with seven doubles and a home run, 17 runs, 16 RBI, six walks, and 28 strikeouts.
Given his breakout effectivity in 2022 and his invitation to principal league camp this spring, many have been shocked when the Crimson Sox decided to not promote him to Triple-A for the start of the minor league season.
On the time, sources instructed the Herald that it wasn’t an indictment of his effectivity in Fort Myers (16 video video games, 7-for-32, 5 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 6 Okay). Slightly, Rafaela’s potential is so monumental that the Crimson Sox aren’t making an attempt to maneuver him up too quickly, significantly when there are nonetheless areas by which they want him to reinforce, particularly plate self-discipline.
And with Jarren Duran’s newfound success this yr, there’s no must rush Rafaela now, nevertheless as he continues to impress, they gained’t be succesful to carry him down for prolonged.
Glad Mom’s Day
On the mound, Chris Sale has been one among many sport’s scariest pitchers.
However beneath that fearsome exterior lies a philanthropic coronary coronary heart, and it was on present Sunday, when the veteran southpaw hosted a gaggle of breast most cancers survivors and Susan G. Komen Basis workers and donated a set for them to look at the Mom’s Day sport.
Sale has been donating a set each month since 2018, nevertheless of the numerous causes he helps, this one could be very non-public.
“Breast most cancers is a illness that has affected so many individuals, and I’m grateful for the chance to host this unbelievable group at Fenway Park on Mom’s Day. My grandmother had breast most cancers and that was an enormous motive for me to be concerned,” talked about Sale.
Harm updates
Joely Rodríguez is anticipated to be activated this week, “within the upcoming days,” Alex Cora talked about Sunday afternoon. “We’ll see the place we’re at, how he feels, however he’ll be within the subsequent collection.”
The left-handed reliever has however to make his Crimson Sox debut; an oblique stress all through spring teaching landed him on the injured guidelines to start out out the season.
“He’s a man that we belief,” the Crimson Sox supervisor talked about. “Little by little, he’s going to be come an enormous a part of what we’re making an attempt to perform, and we’re pleased to have him.”
Subsequent up
Beginning Monday, the Seattle Mariners are in town for 3 consecutive nights of seven:10 PM video video games sooner than an off-day on Thursday and a freeway journey that may maintain them out of metropolis until June.
Possible pitching matchups: RHP Tanner Houck/RHP George Kirby, RHP Nick Pivetta/RHP Luis Castillo, RHP Brayan Bello/LHP Marco Gonzales
