Red Sox Outfielders Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu Win Gold Gloves

[Nick John]

While the Boston Red Sox weren’t the World Series champions in 2025, the team still managed to bring home some hardware in the form of two Gold Glove awards thanks to some amazing defense from their outfield.

Winning his second consecutive Gold Glove award in right field was Wilyer Abreu, as the outfielder managed to put on a defensive display despite being limited to just 104 games in right field this season. In 847 1/3 innings, Abreu wound up with 215 putouts and seven outfield assists. He also started three double plays. In total, he finished the season with a .978 fielding percentage while putting up 15 Defensive Runs Saved, eight Outs Above Average, and a Fielding Run Value of eight. Of all right fielders in the majors, Abreu’s DRS was tied for second, his OAA was tied for second, and his FRV was second. He also led all right fielders with a 5.8 FanGraphs' defensive value.

Joining Abreu is Ceddanne Rafaela, as the center fielder won his first Gold Glove after appearing in 141 games at the position. In 1167 1/3 innings, the walking highlight reel made 319 putouts while also earning eight assists. For the season he finished with a .985 fielding percentage at the position. Though, that may be an understatement of just how good he was in center. Out of all center fielders, Rafaela led all of the majors with 20 DRS, a good five runs above second place which belonged to Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs. His 22 OAA just barely allowed him to pass Crow-Armstrong for first, as did his Fielding Run Value of 22. Rafaela also led all center fielders with a defensive value of 18.7. Rafaela had previously been named the 2025 Fielding Bible Award winner for center field back near the end of October, being the first-ever Red Sox center fielder to win the award, though Abreu had won it in 2024 for right field.

Carlos Narváez was also a finalist for a Gold Glove award for catchers, but the award instead went to Dillon Dingler of the Detroit Tigers

Part of the Red Sox's success in 2025 was due in part to the great defensive effort of the outfield, and now two of the main contributors to that are being recognized with their rightfully owed awards.

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[Hitch]

Well deserved for Raf. Makes Abreu all the more valuable in trades...

[moonslav59]

Good to see them get some credit.

I think our OF D can get even better with 2 things happening:

1. Anthony plays FT in LF (Duran to DH or traded away)

2. We completely stop playing Rafaela in the infield.

(A third boost could come from Jh Garcia becoming the 4th OF'er over Refsnyder/Duran/Campbell. He has to earn it, first.)

[Tedballgame]

Its got to be hard for the Cedanne haters to swallow.

[Tedballgame]

17 hours ago, Hitch said:

Well deserved for Raf. Makes Abreu all the more valuable in trades...

I would not trade Abreu unless they get a young, good, controlable pitcher and those aren't available. Except for Quinn Priester,....oops.