3 Red Sox players primed for a breakout 2025 campaign

Versatile Ceddanne Rafaela is Red Sox' secret weapon
Ceddanne Rafaela looks to capitalize on an everyday role in 2025 

    When Alex Cora named Jarren Duran the Red Sox everyday leadoff man, it came as a surprise to many Red Sox fans. They didn't expect what would come next. Duran not only brokeout as the Red Sox best player last year, but one of the best in the MLB, finishing 8th in AL MVP voting. While we probably won't see another Jarren Duran, here's 3 players primed for a big breakout 2025. 


  Ceddanne Rafaela, CF

      Rafaela had a solid debut season, bouncing between both middle infield positions and center field. This season, Cora has stressed that Rafaela will be a CF this year, as he hopes the consistency will allow him to focus solely on his bat. We know what Rafaela can do in center, posting 5 OAA at the position with some truly jaw-dropping range, but he left a lot to be desired at the plate. Much is already known about his struggles. His 2.6% walk rate ranked in the bottom 1% of hitters, while his chase rate was in the same percentile. If he can figure out his plate discipline issues, the Sox hope that his new swing will allow for more consistent contact. Through a few spring training games, he's added a larger leg kick and lowered his hands. He's shown flashes of 20-20 potetnial, so don't be surprised if a permanent move to CF, an assumed new approach at the plate, and a more consistent season lead to an above-average campaign at the plate for the sophomore. 

Vaughn Grissom, 2B

        Where Grissom is going to play, if he breaks camp with the big league, is the big question for the presumed second baseman. Grissom, acquired from the Braves for reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale, endured an injury riddled first campaign that saw him spend most of the year in AAA. Grissom can hit, we all know that. Still just 24 years old, he posted an OPS above .660 in both his MLB stints with Atlanta. This season, Grissom has come into camp notably stronger, and, more importantly, with his confidence back. Grissom reportedly lost 15 pounds battling the flu early in April, and spent most of the season just trying to get that weight back. In his September stint last year, he looked much better than what we saw in April, with a .333 AVG and a couple hard hit doubles. Alex Cora, and Red Sox fans alike, hope a proper offseason and camp will prove 2024 a mulligan.

Greg Weissert, RHP

    Weissert was one of the pitchers received from the Yankees in the Alex Verdugo trade. Immediately, his funky sidearm delivery and nasty sweeper wowed Red Sox fans, but the righty struggled out of the gate, with a 4.39 ERA in the first half. After two separate demotions to AAA, Weissert returned and was lights-out for the Red Sox down the stretch. In 16 innings in August and September, Weissert allowed 0 earned runs and walked just 3. Despite having some of the most horizontal break in the game, his sweeper was actually his worst pitch last year, posting a run value of -5 as hitters hit .320 off it. It's still a great pitch, fangraphs loves its movement and how Weissert is able to locate it, so Cora can hope some better luck this year could give him a dangerous high-leverage guy this year . 

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