Red Sox add Kristian Campbell to the Opening Day roster (report)
Red Sox top prospect Kristian Campbell will be on the team's Opening Day roster after completing his first spring training.
Campbell, one of the Red Sox “Big 3” prospects, is the only one of the three prospects to make the roster, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. Barring a last-minute change, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony will report to Triple-A Worcester to begin the season.
The 22-year-old had been competing for the starting second base job with David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom, and Mayer.
For the last couple of weeks, it’s started to look like Hamilton was separating from the pack to win the job, but Campbell’s play the last seven to 10 days kept his dreams of making the Opening Day roster alive.
MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect was considered the front-runner to be the second baseman at the start of camp. Even after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, who was rumored to start the season at second, the rookie was going to be provided the opportunity to win the job.
Campbell did struggle with the bat all spring, starting 1 for 17 with 12 strikeouts. In total, offensively, he went 8-for-48 (.167) with two doubles, eight runs, 10 walks, and 18 strikeouts in 20 Grapefruit League games.
The Georgia Tech alum saw a meteoric rise through the Red Sox system this season, hitting .330/.439/.558 with 20 homers and 24 steals in 115 games among High A Greenville, Double-A Portland, and Triple-A Worcester.
He had a small sample size with the WooSox, hitting .286/.412/.486 to go along with two doubles, four home runs, 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored, four stolen bases, 13 walks, and 18 strikeouts over 19 games.
Campbell played all over the field last season defensively, seeing time at second base, shortstop, third base, and center field. The Red Sox will utilize Campbell's versatility when he plays second base or even in the outfield.
Hamilton and Romy Gonzalez are likely to join Campbell as the other infielders on the roster.
Boston will travel to Monterrey, Mexico, on Sunday night and begin a two-game exhibition series beginning on Monday.
Red Sox make 5 roster cuts including optioning Vaughn Grissom to Triple-A Worcester
The Red Sox made five roster moves on Wednesday, optioning infielder Vaughn Grissom and right-handed pitchers Josh Winckowski and Luis Guerrero to Triple-A Worcester. The team also reassigned catcher/first baseman Nathan Hickey and catcher Mark Kolozsvary to minor league camp.