Red Sox Notes: Second base still up for grabs, Kristian Campbell defensive gem, Marcelo Mayer gets first spring start at position

(GETTY IMAGES)

Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell’s impressive defensive masterpiece on Monday has kept him in the conversation to become the Opening Day second baseman.

Campbell showed off his athleticism in the field on Monday afternoon, making a couple of outstanding diving grabs in the Sox’ 12-3 loss to the Orioles at JetBlue Park.

In the top of the first inning, he made a diving play to his left side on a liner back up the middle. The 22-year-old made a diving stop and gunned down the Orioles leadoff hitter, Livan Soto. One inning later, Campbell showed off his range with another impressive play to his right side, making a backhanded stop and throwing the runner out at first base.

“He did a good job, made some plays. He’s going to get more reps there. He’ll play tomorrow, too. So it feels like he’s getting comfortable,” Alex Cora said to reporters following the game. “He put a good swing [on his double] and then the walk. That was good. But I think defensively, today was the first day I was able to see it.”

Campbell is battling with David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom this spring. For the last few weeks, the speedy Hamilton looked like he was the leading candidate, but Campbell’s impressive play on Monday has helped keep him in the conversation.

Boston clearly has confidence in Campbell and isn’t too worried over his slow start at the plate. In Grapefruit play the last couple of weeks, he’s 6-for-38 (.158) with two doubles, five runs, seven walks, and 15 strikeouts in 15 games. Over his last seven games, he’s started to settle in and look more comfortable at the plate; he’s 5-for-15 (.333) over that span.

“It is what it is, right? It's still spring training,” Cora said. “As long as we swing at the right ones, that's the most important thing. That's what he does. He hits the ball hard, but he dominates the strike zone. At one point, he was just swinging. We want him to make sure he’s still making good swing decisions. And when you do that over and over and over again, the results are going to come."

MARCELO MAYER GETTING REPS

Marcelo Mayer will make his first start this spring at second base against the Tigers on Wednesday.

Cora is giving Campbell and Hamilton a day off, allowing the Sox to get an extended look at Mayer at second. This spring, he’s played one game (four innings) there.

Mayer has put in a lot of work at second base this spring, but not much in Grapefruit League play. He’s played four innings (one game) at second base.

“He cares about defense, and he loves it,” Cora said. “And defense comes easy for him. Whatever you put him—second, short, or third—we’re comfortable with it. He’s a good defender."

The former first-round pick has appeared in 14 games for the Sox, hitting .357 (10-for-28) with a homer, a triple, and nine RBI. He’s drawn three walks while striking out nine times and has recorded a .955 OPS over that span.

With five spring games remaining, Cora mentioned that Mayer remains in the mix with Campbell and Hamilton for the starting second base job.

“Everybody has a shot,” said Cora about the idea of Mayer and others winning a job on the Opening Day roster.