LAS VEGAS — Cubs All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong is one of the best defensive players in baseball and took home his first career Gold Glove this season, being honored as the National League’s top defender in center field. Even at his elite level, Crow-Armstrong has an immense amount of respect for his counterpart in the American League, Ceddanne Rafaela.

Speaking on the red carpet before the MLB Awards show in Las Vegas on Thursday, Crow-Armstrong raved about Rafaela’s defense and called him the best center fielder in baseball. Rafaela led major league center fielders in defensive runs saved (DRS) with 20; Crow-Armstrong was tied with Toronto’s Myles Straw in second place with 15.

Rafaela played 1,167 ⅓ innings in center for the Red Sox in 2025 while also mixing in for 19 games (14 starts)

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