Red Sox Make Somewhat Confusing Kristian Campbell Decision
The Boston Red Sox have a surplus of young talent and not enough spots to get them all on the field.
Kristian Campbell is an interesting case for the Red Sox. He made the team out of spring training last year, despite only playing 19 Triple-A games to that point. He slashed .301/.407/.495 with four home runs in his first 29 games. However, he slashed .159/.243/.222 in his next 38 games and was sent back down.
Now, with Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer in the mix as well, it may be difficult for Campbell to find a spot back in the big leagues.
He can also play in the outfield, but that group seemingly already has too many mouths to feed. However, that’s exactly where Alex Cora plans on having him do most of his work, per the Boston Herald’s Gabrielle Star.
Cora noted that the Red Sox cannot forget about his infield experience, because anything can happen, but all of his work will be in the outfield this spring. He can play first base, second base and in the outfield, but spent most of his time in the big leagues at second base last year.
Campbell has already signed an extension with the Red Sox, so they need to find a way to get him on the field eventually. However, between Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, the outfield seems like the toughest path to do so.
First base seems to be locked up by Willson Contreras, with Triston Casas behind him when he’s healthy.
Campbell struggled defensively at second base, so perhaps the Red Sox are ready to move on from him there. Either Mayer or Durbin figures to take second base anyway. However, Campbell’s path to playing would still be clearer as an infielder.
It would take multiple injuries for Campbell to get a shot in the big leagues as an outfielder again right now. Masataka Yoshida is also in the mix out there and in the designated hitter spot.
There is still plenty of time before opening day, and perhaps Campbell will look more like the version fans saw early last season. However, he will need to look phenomenal to crack the opening day roster as an outfielder. It feels like having Campbell work primarily as an outfielder makes it even tougher for him to get back in the majors.