Top Red Sox prospects shine in Boston’s Spring Breakout game vs. Braves
Ceddanne Rafaela hit a three-run home run in the third inning, good for his fourth long ball of spring training.
Top Red Sox prospects had the opportunity to play against the Atlanta Braves in MLB’s inaugural Spring Breakout event at Boston’s home-away-from-home, JetBlue Park on Saturday.
The brand-new event gives every team’s top prospects a chance to play in a game dedicated to minor leaguers during spring training.
Boston, which has two players in MLB.com’s top 30 prospects rankings, had no shortage of star power at the plate and in the field during the team’s first Spring Breakout game.
Here is how five of the Red Sox’s best prospects performed in their 8-2 victory over Atlanta on Saturday.
Marcelo Mayer, SS
Marcelo Mayer, the Red Sox’s No. 1 prospect and MLB.com’s No. 15 prospect, made a nifty play at shortstop in the third inning.
Mayer flashed the leather by going to his right to field a ground ball, making a long throw to get the runner at first. First baseman Blaze Jordan did his part and stretched out for the scoop to secure the out.
Roman Anthony, OF
Boston’s No. 2 prospect and MLB.com’s 24th-ranked prospect Roman Anthony had a day at the plate. The 19-year-old outfielder drew two walks in both of his plate appearances. Anthony made the most of his time in the batter’s box by showing phenomenal plate discipline.
He finished his day with a stolen base and advanced to third base on the catcher’s throw.
Kyle Teel, C
Kyle Teel, the Red Sox’s No. 3 prospect and MLB.com’s No. 40 prospect, logged two hits in as many at-bats. The catcher turned heads on Saturday as he dropped a single into left field for Boston’s first hit of the day and laced an RBI double in his next appearance.
Teel, 22, was selected by the Red Sox at No. 14 overall in last year’s MLB Draft.
Nick Yorke, 2B
Nick Yorke, the Red Sox’s No. 8 prospect, had a similar day at the plate as Teel’s.
The second baseman went 2-2 with an RBI single and a double that was just a few feet away from being a home run. Yorke’s power was on display, giving fans a glimpse of what he’s capable of with a bat in his hands.
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF/INF
Ceddanne Rafaela had arguably Boston’s most impressive performance of the afternoon. The Red Sox’s No. 4 prospect hit a towering three-run home run to center field in the third inning to give Boston a 5-0 lead.
Rafaela’s latest long ball was good for his fourth home run of spring training.
The 23-year-old is making Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s job even harder by arguing his case to be on Boston’s Opening Day roster. Cora wouldn’t guarantee Rafaela a spot on the roster when discussing the player on March 13. But given fellow outfielder Rob Refsnyder’s toe injury, the youngster might be able to solidify a place in Boston’s outfield rotation.
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