Fort Report: Full squad reports to spring training
Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training last Tuesday and the first full team workout took place on Sunday. The Red Sox annual opener against Northeastern is scheduled for this Friday, with the first official Grapefruit League game on Saturday against the Twins.
The Big Three, one year later
The Big Three of Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell (pictured), and Marcelo Mayer entered last season listed second, fourth, and 15th on Baseball America's prospect rankings. The highly-touted trio all made their debuts with the Red Sox last season, with Anthony excelling before a season-ending oblique injury while Campbell and Mayer posted mixed results in their first taste of the major league level.
One season later, Campbell's development and role on the 2026 team is one of the more intriguing storylines coming into camp. After making the team out of spring training last year and winning Rookie of the Month in April, Campbell struggled at the plate and defensively at second base before being optioned to Worcester in June. He has overhauled his swing over the offseason as he hopes to recover the form that made him one of the top prospects in baseball a year ago. On the defensive side, Alex Cora indicated that Campbell will receive most of his playing time in the outfield this spring. This position change makes Campbell’s spot on the roster unclear, as the Red Sox already have four starting-caliber outfielders, but a strong spring could propel him onto the Opening Day roster.
Roman Anthony enters the 2026 season expected to hit near the top of the order and serve a key contributor in the Red Sox lineup after hitting .292/.396/.463 in 71 games as a rookie. On Monday, he was officially named to the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic as an injury replacement for Corbin Carroll. At 21 years old, Anthony will be the youngest member of Team USA in World Baseball Classic history.
Mayer played in 44 games at the big league level last year and hit only .228 while striking out in 30% of his plate appearances. However, he displayed impressive bat speed and strong defense at multiple infield positions. Barring any further additions to the Red Sox infield, Mayer is slated to receive regular playing time at either second or third base, with recent acquisition Caleb Durbin starting in the other position.
Bennett impressing in first spring training with Red Sox
Per Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, Jake Bennett has been a highlight of the team's early spring workouts, with Alex Cora, Roman Anthony, and Carlos Narvaez praising the left-hander. Bennett was acquired from Washington in exchange for Luis Perales this offseason and he is ranked sixth in the SoxProspects.com rankings. In 45 2/3 innings at the Double-A level last season, Bennett posted a 2.56 ERA and struck out 33 batters. Standing 6-foot-6, Bennett has elite extension and showed increased velocity in the Arizona Fall League last year.
New podcast episode
In the latest episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast, Ian and Mike broke down the Caleb Durbin trade and how the roster is shaping up as spring training begins.
Where are they now?
Two members of the 2025 Red Sox signed minor league deals with other organizations. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe signed with Cincinnati and relief pitcher Liam Hendriks with Minnesota. Lowe was an impactful late-season addition after he was designated for assignment by the Nationals, as he hit .280/.370/.420 in 34 games with the Red Sox and helped to solidify one of the team's weakest positions at first base. Hendriks was signed before the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. The three-time All-Star never returned to form with the Red Sox, missing the entire 2024 season and posting a 6.59 ERA in 13 2/3 innings last year.
Photo Credit: Kristian Campbell by Kelly O'Connor