Red Sox are 'working hard' at second base with Kristian Campbell
Kristian Campbell shot up through the Red Sox system last season, putting himself on the map as one of the game’s best young prospects. He earned his first non-roster invite to spring training and has a real chance to make the Red Sox Opening Day roster.
Campbell has been working out mainly at second base this spring. Boston is hoping a strong campo from the 22-year-old will earn him the starting job, thus forcing more tough decisions on the roster.
“Campbell, he’s learning,” Alex Cora said at JetBlue Park on Wednesday. “The turns are getting better. He has range. He has good hands. We’re working hard with him at second base.”
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. That versatility should be utilized by the Red Sox this season at the big league level or even Triple-A Worcester if he doesn’t make the team out of camp.
Fans will get a look at Campbell at second base on Friday; he is expected to start there in the exhibition game against Northeastern University.
Campbell looks noticeably bigger this spring, gaining 10-15 pounds of muscle this offseason. The Red Sox are excited about his makeup and athleticism at both the plate and in the field. With looming questions about where Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers will play this coming season, Campbell is one of the players at the center of that debate. If Campbell wins the starting second base job, Bregman should slot at third base, and the Red Sox infield will be vastly greater than in years past.
