Rafaela participated in the 2012 Little League World Series as a member of the Willemstad team representing the Caribbean Region.

[2] Rafaela made his professional debut in 2018 with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox.

[7] For the season, Rafaela was named minor-league Defensive Player of the Year by the Red Sox organization.

[12] However, on March 28, the Red Sox announced that Rafaela would begin back in Double-A Portland so he could work on his approach at the plate without having to adjust to the higher level.

[17] On September 12, in the second game of the doubleheader against the New York Yankees, Rafaela hit his first major-league home run, estimated at 400 feet, off Carlos Rodón.

[21] On April 8, 2024, Rafaela signed an eight-year, $50 million contract extension with the Red Sox, locking him up through the 2031 season.