On August 28, 2023, Kenley Jansen walked into the Red Sox clubhouse, pumped his fists in the air, and shouted, “Now we got two!”

Normally, a player making Major League debut – even a top prospect – wouldn’t elicit such a reaction, especially from a pitcher in his 14th season.

But the veteran closer had just found out that the Red Sox were calling up Ceddanne Rafaela.

Jansen and Rafaela both hail from Curaçao, a tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. Of the 23,319 players in MLB history, only 17 have been Curaçaoan. Hensley Meulens was the first, in 1989, Jansen is No. 11, and last August 28, Rafaela became the 17th.

“It’s been crazy,” Rafaela told the Herald when asked to reflect on his first full year as a Major Leaguer. “It’s been a lot of learning. Most of it is a lot of fun, with my teammates, the staff, playing here at Fenway. It’s been the best.”

Rafaela earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. Barely two weeks later, when the young defensive standout had only accrued 49 days of big-league service time, the Red Sox signed him to an eight-year extension through 2031 with a club option for 2032.

They were smart to lock him in when they did. Not only is Rafaela establishing himself as a key member of Boston’s talented young homegrown core, he’s putting himself in American League Rookie of the Year conversation. Entering Saturday, he led qualified AL rookies in hits, runs, RBI, total bases, was tied for second in doubles and triples, and ranked third in homers, extra-base hits, and batting average.

“Incredible. Such growth, he grew a lot,” Jansen told the Herald. “He had a slow start in the beginning, but … he is on fire.”

Furthermore, Rafaela is putting up these numbers while splitting time between two positions. With shortstop Trevor Story sidelined since the eighth game of the season, Rafaela’s defensive versatility – he was a middle infielder early in his minor league career before moving to the outfield in Double-A – has been crucial to the Red Sox. He’s played 74 games (61 starts) in center field and 70 (60 starts) at short (as well as six appearances at second and four at third). He’s the only Major Leaguer to play at least 60 games each shortstop and center in the same season since at least 1901. And he regularly makes jaw-dropping plays at both positions.

“Winning a Gold Glove, for me, I think it’s one of the top goals I have,” Rafaela said.

Several teammates and coaches told the Herald they couldn’t think of a single American League player more worthy of the utility Gold Glove. Manager Alex Cora said should come down to Rafaela or Mauricio Dubón of the Houston Astros. In Jansen’s eyes, Rafaela stands alone.

“To me, he’s a Gold Glover,” Jansen said. “I don’t know what type of Gold Glove they’d want to give him. Outfield? He’s definitely utility Gold Glove. How he covers shortstop and how he covers the outfield, it’s unreal.”

The two teammates will both celebrate their birthdays in September – the rookie will turn 24, the veteran 37 – and then Jansen will become a free agent this offseason. They feel fortunate to have one another, knowing how rare it is to make it from Curaçao to the Majors, let alone to the same clubhouse.

“I think it’s huge,” Rafaela said. “15 years in the Majors is a long time. He’s been teaching me, as a rookie, a lot of stuff and how to play the game the right way.”

“Luckily, I have the blessings that I have. Roger Bernadina was my first Curacao player that I shared a locker room (with), then I got Ozzie Albies, and now I got Rafaela,” the veteran closer said. “He’s such an incredible kid. He wants to learn, ask questions, and he can hit. He’s blessed to be a good hitter, and like I said, he’s going to be a Gold Glover. Hopefully this year he will be. To me, he’s a Gold Glove and Rookie of the Year. He plays with so much joy, so much passion. It’s amazing to have him.”

Joy. Walk up to any Red Sox player or coach and ask them what stands out about Rafaela’s playing style, and they’ll probably use that word. Joy radiates out of him like sunbeams.

“It’s a game. If you don’t play with joy, you’re not gonna be where you want to be,” Rafaela said with his usual ear-to-ear smile. “I think when I’m at my best is when I’m having fun with my team. More than making the plays and anything, is the joy that I play the game. I love this game, and I love playing in front of the fans. They make it more enjoyable, because every time you make a play, they cheer for you. It’s awesome.”

There is an element of childlike wonder in Rafaela’s speech and mannerisms; he still sounds like someone who can’t believe their dream is coming true. Make no mistake, though: he knows exactly what he wants and it’s not just for him.

“Xander (Bogaerts), his first year he got called up, 2013, he wins his first ring. So for me, first year, that’s one of my goals. Same as Raffy, win a ring,” he said of Devers, who debuted in July 2017 and won a World Series in his first full season the next year.

He certainly wouldn’t mind winning Rookie of the Year, either.

“If I keep doing my job,” Rafaela said modestly. “You never know.”

There is something Jansen already knows.

“The kid is blessed and is gonna have an amazing career,” the closer said. “He’s gonna get even better. He’s gonna be a star.”