You probably read that headline and immediately thought, “No.” The stats tend to agree with you. Through 30 games this season, Red Sox centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela is slashing .233/.295/.349, good for a wRC+ of 80. 80 is 20% below the league average bat; not the best mark. Rafaela is known for his defense, and as a nine-hole hitter, he doesn’t exactly need to light the world on fire offensively; just average would do the trick. It might be too soon to draw conclusions, but there are some early signs that Rafaela is improving at the plate.
If you’ve followed Rafaela at all, you know the major knock on him is plate discipline.