The 95th Percentile

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...

Kutter Crawford will likely miss opening day, AP photo     The Red Sox, facing a tough opening stretch in which they play 21 games in 22 days, will likely be without key rotation piece Kutter Crawford to begin the season.      "With Kutter, that's the one that looks like its going to be long," Cora said. "Opening day, right now, is an "if"'     Crawford injured his knee racing to cover first base on his third start last season, and has been battling that injury ever since, including pitching through it at times. The 28 year old led the team in both games started (33) and innings pitched (183) last year. It's likely Alex Cora won't need to call on him as much this season, as rotation depth was a key area of focus for Craig Breslow and the front office.      Cora also shed some light on Brayan Bello, who has been dealing with shoulder inflammation since camp started.      "I don't think in a week (he'll be ready), he's not e...

Josh Winckowski will look to regain his spot in the Sox bullpen,  Last season, the Red Sox bullpen had the 7th worst ERA in baseball, allowing the 3rd most hits, only the lowly White Sox and Rockies allowed more hits. To try and fix this problem, the Red Sox have brought with them 30 pitchers vying for maybe 7 spots in the Red Sox bullpen. Of those 30, I believe only 4 are locks to crack the opening day roster. Those 4 are: Liam Hendricks, Justin Slaten, Aroldis Chapman, and Garret Whitlock.  That means 25 pitchers are fighting for 3 spots. Of those 25, I believe only 12-15 of them have a real shot at breaking camp with the team. A few (Chris Murphy and Luis Perales) are expected to miss all of 2025. A handful haven't performed well enough in AAA, or haven't even pitched in AAA, to warrant a realistic shot at the big league level. Here's a brief note on all the pitchers who I believe have a chance of making the big league bullpen. Josh Winckowski, RHP: Winckowski threw the ...

Alex Bregman gets his first start for the Red Sox       Both Red Sox marquee signees will make their spring training debut's today, as Garrett Crochet gets the start and Alex Bregman starts at third for the Sox. Crochet, 25, was acquired from the White Sox for a major haul of prospects this offseason. Bregman recently signed a 3 year, 120 million dollar deal with opt-outs after the first two years. Here's your lineup for todays Grapefruit League clash:          Roman Anthony, LF     Alex Bregman, 3B     Triston Casas, 1B     Trevor Story, SS     Rob Refsnyder, DH     David Hamilon, 2B     Ceddanne Rafeala, CF     Blake Sabol, C     Nate Eaton, RF          2024 All Star MVP Jarren Duran was a late scratch to the lineup as he battles a sore calf, Alex Cora notes it's nothing serious and he expects the star, and catcher Connor Wong, to be back tom...

Jet Blue Park      The Red Sox kicked off their 2025 Grapefruit League campaign with a 6-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday afternoon. Top prospect Marcelo Mayer got the Sox on the board early with an RBI single off Rays starter Jacob Waguespack in the top of the first. Home runs from Cedanne Rafeala, Trayce Thompson, and Tyler Miller helping to hold off a late comeback by the Rays following a 3 run 7th.     Red Sox starter Quinn Priester threw 1.2 innings, striking out none and allowing a solo homerun to former Red Sox Danny Jansen. Priester will likely end up a rotation depth option in AAA, but a heavy early schedule could see him getting some early starts.      The Red Sox got scoreless innings out of Luis Guerrero, who struck out all three batters he faced, and Robert Stock, who returns to the Red Sox after spending some time pitching in Mexico. Both look to battle for a bullpen spot.      Reliever Michael Fulmer, whom A...

Roman Anthony makes his Spring Training debut today, Matt Dirksen     The Red Sox kick off their 2025 Grapefruit League season against the Tampa Bay Rays at Jet Blue Field at 1:05 pm EST today on Nesn. Quinn Priester gets the start for the Red Sox. Priester, acquired at the trade deadline for infielder Nick Yorke, made a single start last year on the final day of the season against the Rays. He threw 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 4. His sinker touched 96 that day, proving to be his best pitch.      Here's the starting lineup for the Red Sox          David Hamilton, SS     Roman Anthony, LF     Ceddanne Rafeala, CF     Carlos Narvaez, C     Marcelo Mayer, DH     Vaughn Grissom, 2B     Abraham Toro, 1B     Trayce Thompson, RF     Nick Sogard, 3B         Catcher Carlos Narvaex might be a player for you to keep an eye ...

Jet Blue Park host's the Sox annual game vs Northeastern      The Red Sox today open Spring Training like they always do, with their annual clash against the Northeastern Huskies. Brian Van Belle gets the start for the Red Sox. The 28 year old non-roster invitee went 8-2 with a 4.42 ERA in AAA last year, mostly appearing out of the bullpen for the WooSox.     Manager Alex Cora stated Wednesday this would be a game featuring mostly minor leaguers and non-roster players, and the lineup certainly reflects that, with just 2 players who appeared in major league games last year starting for the Sox. Here's your lineup: Trayce Thomphson, LF Kristian Campbell, 2B Marcelo Mayer, SS Triston Casas, 1B Abraham Toro, DH Nick Sogard, 3B Nate Eaton, CF Jhostynxon Garcia, RF Mark Kolozsvary, C     Red Sox number 1 overall prospect Roman Anthony was a late scratch to the lineup, being replaced by Trayce Thompson, whom the Sox signed on Monday.      A pla...