Rafaela sits in the heart of Boston’s outfield depth, offering a blend of contact, speed, and defensive versatility that could sustain a high-upside trio with Anthony and Abreu, even as Duran’s trade conversation evolves.

Rafaela is cited as the top outfielder in fielding run value among peers, giving context to the high defensive bar set by Cubs’ Crow-Armstrong and Milwaukee’s Frelick.

<p>Rafaela’s outfield reads and aggressive style were on full display in the Bronx, where a miscommunication and a banana-route miscue fed a costly inning. The play underscored how feel-based defense can fail when timing and calling aren’t in sync with teammates.</p><p>The youngster’s upside remains immense, but the moment highlighted the need for better communication with Abreu and more disciplined routes when tracking balls in deep left-center.</p>

Rafaela drew the bases-loaded threat in the seventh, with Sogard on deck and Yoshida delivering a pivotal two-run single. Rafaela’s on-base threat and lefty-lefty context contribute to the Sox’s late-inning offense and lineup depth in this series.

Rafaela stoked the rally with an 11-pitch walk in a key late-innings sequence, chasing a pivotal base runner and helping spark Boston’s comeback offense.