Boston Red Sox rookie Ceddanne Rafaela has been one of the most electric players to watch in the field for Alex Cora's club throughout the 2024 season, as he manned two of the most important defensive positions on the diamond at shortstop and center field.
Rafaela has made plays that leave a viewer in awe with some regularity, making him a bright spot in an otherwise horrendous defense.
In a recent video produced for the Red Sox' YouTube channel, Rafaela shared that he watched former Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts for defensive inspiration.
"Truthfully, I watched Xander a lot," Rafaela said. "He played here and if you look at it Xander would always make the routine plays. I think those are the plays that a shortstop has to make at this level. Make the routine plays and for me I think he has been one of the best in doing so, making the routine plays consistently."
He also mentioned Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor as other guys he's always trying to pick up tips and tricks from them while watching them.
Bogaerts wasn't known for his defense during his time in Boston, but it wasn't frequently that the shortstop was questioned for a play that should've been made.
It's cool to see the next generation of talented, young Red Sox looking up to those who played before them.
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