Could Ceddanne Rafaela be the absolute best defender in all of baseball? That's the bold claim being made by MLB insider Buster Olney, and it's got the baseball world buzzing ahead of the 2026 season! While the Boston Red Sox have seen other players like Roman Anthony gain national attention, Rafaela's defensive prowess is now taking center stage.
Olney, who has been releasing his top 10 player rankings by position, placed Rafaela as the No. 6 center fielder in the league. But here's where it gets truly fascinating: Olney believes Rafaela's defensive skills are so exceptional that he might just be the 'best defender in the game.'
Now, Olney acknowledges that Rafaela's aggressive, sometimes even reckless, approach at the plate can overshadow his defensive brilliance. Last season, Rafaela had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of about 4-to-1 and an on-base percentage of .295. However, he also demonstrated significant power with 54 extra-base hits and impressive speed with 20 stolen bases. It's this combination of offensive potential and his fearless play in center field at Fenway Park that leads Olney to suggest he's in the running for the league's top defender.
And this is the part most people miss: Rafaela's defensive statistics speak volumes. He posted a defensive WAR of 2.8 in the 2025 season, which was the second-highest in the league! His total WAR for the season was 4.7, and he even earned a Golden Glove award. To further solidify his defensive credentials, Rafaela led all center fielders in baseball last season with eight assists. That's a remarkable number of throws from the outfield, showcasing his strong arm and ability to make plays.
It's worth noting that several other Red Sox players have also received recognition on Olney's lists, including Garrett Crochet (No. 4 - starting pitcher), Aroldis Chapman (No. 4 - reliever), Garrett Whitlock (honorable mention - reliever), Carlos Narvaez (honorable mention - catcher), Wilson Contreras (honorable mention - first baseman), Caleb Durbin (honorable mention - third baseman), Trevor Story (honorable mention - shortstop), Roman Anthony (No. 7 - corner infielder), Jarren Duran (honorable mention - corner infielder), and Wilyer Abreu (honorable mention - corner infielder).
But let's circle back to Rafaela. Is his defensive talent truly on par with the greatest defenders we've ever seen? Or does his offensive inconsistency hold him back from reaching that ultimate elite status? What are your thoughts on Buster Olney's assessment? Let us know in the comments below!
