Watch Kristian Campbell Mastering First Base Drills: Tips and Techniques for Aspiring Players

Kristian Campbell started working on first base drills before the Red Sox kicked off their series against the Braves. Since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago, the team has been trying out different options at this position.

Manager Alex Cora mentioned, “We’re looking for options. We expect Romy Gonzalez back soon, but for now, we’re introducing Campbell to first base.” The timeline for Campbell’s adjustment could vary—anywhere from days to weeks.

Gonzalez, who initially took over first base, faced his own setback with a quad injury a week later. While the Red Sox hope for a quick recovery, Abraham Toro and Nick Sogard, who were in Triple-A earlier this month, are currently sharing first base duties.

Meanwhile, the team asked Rafael Devers about moving to first base, but he declined. Devers had previously expressed frustration with being moved from third base to designated hitter earlier this season and has not played a defensive inning at all.

It’s worth noting that Campbell lacks experience at first base; he has mainly played second base but has also seen time in the outfield. In his rookie season, he has started 34 games at second base. Statcast data shows that Campbell has struggled defensively, falling two runs below average and is tied for the second-worst defense at second base in the league.

As for Campbell’s future, the Red Sox seem hesitant to shift him from middle infield to first base just because of one injury. They might want to keep him at second base, especially with another top prospect, Marcelo Mayer, performing well in Triple-A. Mayer is hitting .274 with eight home runs and could soon challenge Trevor Story for the shortstop position. If Campbell does transition to first base, it could lead to changes in the infield, allowing Mayer or Story to slide into second.

In summary, the Red Sox are in a tight spot but are exploring possibilities while keeping an eye on their emerging talents. The injury to Casas has prompted creative solutions, and it will be interesting to see how they navigate the situation in the coming weeks.



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kristian campbell,marcelo mayer