BOSTON — Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong offered unexpected praise for Red Sox utility star Ceddanne Rafaela ahead of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. “He’s a nightmare to face,” Crow-Armstrong told the Boston Globe. “His defensive instincts are off the charts.”
Rafaela, 25, made his first All-Star selection after a breakout season. He posted a .291 batting average with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs across 95 games for Boston. His defensive versatility — playing center field, shortstop, and second base — drew comparisons to a younger Ben Zobrist.
The Red Sox placed four players on the AL roster: Rafaela, closer Aroldis Chapman (1.89 ERA, 32 saves), catcher Willson Contreras (.278, 18 HRs), and starter Ranger Suarez (12-5, 3.12 ERA). Chapman, 38, leads a bullpen that ranks third in the AL in strikeouts. Suarez, acquired from Philadelphia in December, stabilized a rotation that lost Brayan Bello to injury.
Crow-Armstrong’s admiration cut across league lines. The Cubs star, 24, ranks second in NL center field defensive runs saved (+14). “We compete, but I respect his game,” Crow-Armstrong said. “He plays hard every night.”
Three injury replacements reshaped the roster. Padres right-hander Nick Martinez (11-7, 2.94 ERA) joined the NL staff after an oblique strain sidelined Atlanta’s Spencer Strider. Martinez, 35, reinvented himself as a starter this season after four years as a reliever. His sinker generates a 58% groundball rate, fourth-best among NL qualifiers.
Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (.268, 14 HRs) replaced Milwaukee’s William Contreras (hamstring). Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami (.302, 36 HRs for the Hanshin Tigers) earned a spot after Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani withdrew with shoulder inflammation.
The All-Star Game, scheduled for July 14 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, highlights a generational shift. Rafaela and Crow-Armstrong represent a new wave of two-way defenders. Chapman’s fastball — averaging 99.1 mph — remains baseball’s most feared pitch. Martinez’s command yields a 3.1% walk rate, best among NL starters.
Boston’s four All-Stars mark the Red Sox’s largest contingent since 2018, when they sent Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, and Chris Sale. The team sits 2.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.
Rafaela credited his teammates. “This is a team award,” he told MLB.com. “I just try to help us win.”
| Player | Team | 2026 Key Stats | Selection Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceddanne Rafaela | Red Sox | .291 BA, 22 HR, 68 RBI | First-time |
| Aroldis Chapman | Red Sox | 1.89 ERA, 32 SV, 99.1 mph FB | Veteran (7x) |
| Ranger Suarez | Red Sox | 12-5, 3.12 ERA | First-time |
| Nick Martinez | Padres | 11-7, 2.94 ERA, 3.1% BB rate | Injury replacement |
| Ivan Herrera | Cardinals | .268 BA, 14 HR | Injury replacement |
| Munetaka Murakami | Hanshin Tigers | .302 BA, 36 HR | Injury replacement |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What did Pete Crow-Armstrong say about Ceddanne Rafaela?
- A: Crow-Armstrong called Rafaela ‘a nightmare to face’ and praised his ‘off the charts’ defensive instincts in an interview with the Boston Globe.
- Q: Why was Nick Martinez added to the NL All-Star roster?
- A: Martinez replaced Atlanta’s Spencer Strider, who was sidelined with an oblique strain. The 35-year-old Padres right-hander has a 2.94 ERA and a 58% groundball rate this season.
Extended Reading
Sources include Boston Globe (July 13, 2026), MLB.com (July 13, 2026), and ESPN (July 13, 2026). HA Viewpoint (HAV) provided data analytics on player performance metrics.