FORT MYERS, Fla. — When the 2024 season began, Ceddanne Rafaela had just 28 big-league games to his name.

And yet, on April 10, the Red Sox announced an eight-year, $50 million contract extension with the then-23-year-old.

It wasn’t a mega deal in the world of baseball money, but it appeared to be a shrewd investment based on his minor-league track record.

While Rafaela had stretches of good production during his rookie season, there were also some obvious growing pains. In 152 games, he hit .246 with a .664 OPS, along with 23 doubles and 15 homers. He also logged five triples and 19 stolen bases. But throughout the season, he struggled to control the strike zone, posting a 46.6 percent chase rate, among the worst 1 percent in the league. His 2.6 percent walk rate was among the lowest 1 percent in the league.

The end of the season, in particular, caught up to him as he didn’t register a walk in his final 142 plate appearances over 39 games from Aug. 10 onward.

Rafeala proved valuable in the field, bouncing among shortstop, second base and center field. He played 87 games in center, 82 games at short and 10 at second.

“Physically it was a challenge,” manager Alex Cora said Wednesday. “Playing short, playing center field. That was a lot. We threw a lot to him. And he actually had a good season, I believe. The chase part of it, we have to be better.”

Ahead of this season, Red Sox have laid out three ways they’re planning to get more out of Rafaela. First, they plan to play him almost exclusively in center field, rather than bouncing back and forth with the infield. While it was a necessity last year following Trevor Story’s injury, the Red Sox infield depth is better this season with prospects knocking on the door and Alex Bregman strengthening the group overall. Rafaela posted a negative-5 Outs Above Average at short last year while a plus-7 OAA in center field.

“The defense at multiple positions makes (Rafaela) a really, really functional piece on a roster, but I think we all see it similarly, that if Ceddanne plays center field every day, he’s likely to challenge for a Gold Glove,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said at the Winter Meetings. “I think he’s a guy that we will try to keep in center as much as possible.”

Next, Rafaela will continue using an altered batting stance, lowering his hands so that he’s connected with his front leg with a small leg kick helping his timing.

“We need him to hit against lefties — that’s important — and we need him to get on base because if he gets on base, we can put pressure on the opposition,” Cora said.

The last leg of their plan for Rafaela was a ramped up strength program at a training facility J.D. Martinez works out at in Miami. That new routine helped Rafaela add muscle to his 5-foot-9 frame.

“He had a good offseason,” Cora said. “He looks a little more physical, he’s running better now than last year, which is awesome. He’s in a good spot and we’re going to push him to be great.”

Cora has allowed several of his young players breathing room in the majors in recent years, with Jarren Duran and Triston Casas among the recent examples. Players can only be so refined once the reach the majors, but Cora noted there’s a different level of learning over the first few big-league seasons.

“This is not the final product,” Cora said of Rafaela. “We knew that last year, and now we just got to keep helping him.”

How the Red Sox rotation depth is shaking out

One week into spring training the Red Sox aren’t concerned just yet about the rotation, but are comforted by the depth they’ve amassed. They’re also weighing how they’ll manage 20 games in 21 days to start the season, including a stretch of 15 straight without an off day.

Depth has emerged as a topic early, as Kutter Crawford is still sidelined with knee soreness and Brayan Bello (shoulder soreness) just started playing catch again. Cora spoke once again Wednesday about the club’s starting depth options.

Tanner Houck, Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler have all thrown live batting practice sessions since pitchers reported to camp last week. Lucas Giolito is a few days behind that group, having thrown several bullpens, but not yet a live batting practice. He’s scheduled for one in the coming days.

Quinn Priester, acquired at the trade deadline last year for Nick Yorke, is scheduled to start the Grapefruit League opener on Saturday in Tampa Bay. Priester is one of the Triple-A pitchers in the mix should the Red Sox need an extra starter or two at the beginning of the season.

“We’re going to be OK,” Cora said. “We’re going to be deeper than in previous years. We’re going to have guys who had some experience last year towards the end. I know they’re capable of coming up here and break camp with us and help us with ballgames.”

Even without injuries, the early-season schedule may necessitate an extra starter.

“The schedule is going to be heavy, we know that early on,” Cora said. “So whatever decision we make, at one point we’re going to have to reset it because we only have one off-day in the first 16 days or whatever.”

In addition to Priester, Richard Fitts and Cooper Criswell will be in the mix, but Cora did note Garrett Whitlock will remain in the bullpen and will not be stretched out to start.

Michael Fulmer, who signed a minor-league deal last year and has been recovering from Tommy John surgery, is also an option. He recently threw two innings of live BP and is being stretched out as a starter for now.

Cora said spring training performances will only be one determining factor for who might be in the mix.

“It’s a competition,” Cora said. “Obviously, this (training environment) doesn’t tell you the whole story. There’s information that comes into play. Coop did it last year, he did a good job for us. The other two (Fitts and Priester) came up and were good. We’ll take the best ones, understanding that all of them at one point are going to impact the big-league roster.”

Patrick Sandoval, meanwhile, continues to progress from an internal brace procedure he had last year while with the Angels. The Red Sox signed Sandoval to a two-year deal this winter in hopes he’d be ready by the second half. He’s been playing long toss with the other rehabbing pitchers and is on track for now.

“The rehab process is the rehab process,” Cora said. “He’s locked in. We do believe our staff can speed up things. But we’re going to be patient. And if it happens, it’s a lefty with a good fastball. He’s been there, done that.

“He’s a guy that we’ve faced a few times and his four-seamer takes off. Good dude. Great guy. Workaholic. He’s locked in with the trainers and he brings experience, too. He’s a guy that, whenever he gets here, he’s going to be big addition for us.”

Starters for Friday against Northeastern; pitchers for the weekend

The Red Sox once again open their spring training schedule against Northeastern University. The opener will be on Friday at 1 p.m. and televised on NESN.