PT TOMORROW: AL East — 2024 may bring bigger roles for Rafaela, others

Boston Red Sox

As the season winds down, the question seems to be becoming not if Ceddanne Rafaela (OF, BOS) will start the 2024 with the Red Sox but where he will play.

As manager Alex Cora had promised, Rafaela has now seen some time at second base to go along with shortstop and outfield as he begins to get a bit of on-the-job training to become part of the team’s young core.

In his first 56 plate appearances in Boston, Rafaela has struck out in approximately one-third of them (19 K), and the speed he displayed between Double-A and Triple-A (37 SB in 107 games) has not yet manifested itself, which his modest success rate at AAA-Worcester (6-for-11) may have portended. Rafaela’s batting average is also being propped up to some degree...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Tomorrow

CJ Kayfus had a bad night in left field on Sunday. Could it hurt his playing time going forward? Plus, a look at early lineups in CHW and DET, the closer situation in KC, and positional flexibility for the Twins C.J. Culpepper.
Apr 2 2026 3:05am
With Bryan Abreu's early season struggles, is there a change to be made at closer in Houston?
Apr 1 2026 3:05am
Jesús Sánchez (pictured) and Nathan Lukes are jockeying for at-bats in left field for Toronto. Plus, more fallout from the first weekend of action in 2026.
Mar 31 2026 3:05am
This week's NL West column answers the lineup questions we posed at the beginning of spring training.
Mar 28 2026 3:05am

Tools