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ESPN predicts Red Sox outfield to set a new MLB record this season
The Red Sox could boast the best defensive outfield in the American League this season.
The Red Sox’s defense has been a weakness for this team over the last few seasons, with Boston ranking 29th in the league last year in both errors (115) and fielding percentage (.981).
But ESPN is expecting big things from Boston’s defense in 2025, especially when it comes to the team’s projected outfield trio of Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu.
As part of a “bold predictions” feature ahead of the start of the 2025 MLB season, ESPN offered up a hot take for all 30 big-league clubs — with ESPN’s David Schoenfield calling his shot that Duran, Rafaela, and Abreu will all win Gold Glove Awards this year.
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“The trio of Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu can do just that,” David Schoenfield wrote. “Abreu won in right field as a rookie. Duran was second among all outfielders in defensive runs saved in 2024 although would have to beat out three-time winner Steven Kwan in left. And Rafaela has Gold Glove range in center if he hits enough to hold off (Roman) Anthony (or isn’t needed again at shortstop).”
While the Red Sox are no stranger to featuring elite defensive talents in the outfield over the years (Dwight Evans, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, Abreu), no MLB team has ever swept the outfield category for the Gold Glove in a single season.
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Abreu took home the 2024 AL Gold Glove in right field — leading all right fielders in the league with 17 defensive runs saved while adding nine assists.
Duran — who was named a Gold Glove finalist in center field last season — could be in line for a lighter workload in left field in 2025, while Rafaela has been projected as a potential Gold Glove talent in center field during most of his time in Boston’s farm system.
The only thing that could hinder Schoenfield’s prediction is both the looming arrival of top prospect Roman Anthony — who could push one of the aforementioned trio out of a starting role if he continues to thrive at Triple-A Worcester in April and May.
Rafaela will also need to validate his spot in the lineup when it comes to improving his discipline at the plate. Even though he clubbed 17 home runs and drove in 80 runs last season, Rafaela also struck out 151 times and posted just 15 walks over 152 games last season.
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