American League
Neustrom Determined To Make Noise
Robert Neustrom stood in left field during an exhibition game and noticed Kyle Stowers in center field and Yusniel Diaz in right. His feet were planted in the grass, but his mind raced to what the future could hold.
“I looked around like, ‘Wow, this isn’t a bad outfield,’ “ Neustrom said. “So, whatever happens will happen, and I think that would be a solid outfield, if that’s what (the Orioles) want to do, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Neustrom may not be a top prospect like Stowers or recent first-rounders Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad, but he has a chance to arrive first in Baltimore after beginning the season with Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles drafted Neustrom in the fifth round in 2018 out of Iowa, and the 25-year-old reached Triple-A Norfolk last summer after hitting .284/.364/.467 with seven home runs in 62 games for Double-A Bowie.
His production dipped in 64 games with Norfolk, but overall he hit .258/.344/.446 with 16 home runs in 126 games.
The Orioles didn’t protect Neustrom from the Rule 5 draft that was canceled due to the lockout. He isn’t on the 40-man roster and is fighting to get noticed among higher-profile outfielders.
Yet, Neustrom doesn’t view himself as flying under the radar.
“I played with those guys, man, and Stowers is a monster, and I’ve seen what Cowser can do, too,” Neustrom said. “I know those guys are both very talented, and I know how it works. They’re high picks… and I’m going to continue to do what I do and make noise.
“Pretty soon someone’s going to hear it.”
The Orioles were concerned that Neustrom might be taken in the Rule 5 draft. Its cancellation brings mixed feelings for Neustrom, who’s happy to be in the organization but could have been placed on another team’s 40-man roster.
Now, he has a chance to reach MLB with the team that drafted him.
—ROCH KUBATKO
Rafaela Makes More Hard Contact
Among the most eye-opening single performances on the back fields of Red Sox minor league spring training, one game stood out.
Ceddanne Rafaela drilled three homers in a minor league spring training game, adding to the intrigue surrounding a player with tools that exceed his 5-foot-8, 158-pound stature.
From the time that he signed out of Curacao in 2017, Rafaela’s energy and athleticism were obvious, as was his defensive skill while bouncing around the infield.
The Red Sox wanted to explore an expanded profile for Rafaela and started giving him outfield time in 2021. The result was dazzling, with Rafaela taking to the grass immediately with a combination of an excellent first step, range, instincts and a strong
