Spring training is closing in, and the Boston Red Sox have just under two weeks to decide which 26 players will make the trip to Arlington, Texas, for their opening series against the Rangers.
As every team does after a long offseason, the Sox are dealing with some unforeseen injuries that may open roster spots for unexpected players. They still have some position battles to decide, as well, and some surprising names have made a great impression, while others have blended in with the pack.
Here are two players whose excellent spring training performances could earn them a surprising spot on the Opening Day roster, and two players we think will miss out (at least, for now.)
2 Red Sox who’ve played their way onto the Opening Day roster
Trayce Thompson – OF
Trayce Thompson has been the shock of spring training so far. The Red Sox signed him to a minor-league deal in mid-February to bring in some right-handed outfield depth, and he’s certainly earned consideration for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Thompson is batting .346/.514/1.115 with a 1.629 OPS and a team-leading six homers in 13 Grapefruit League appearances so far. Wilyer Abreu was only just cleared to partake in spring training games with two weeks until the season begins, and there are rumors that Masataka Yoshida may begin the season on the injured list, which could open two spots in the outfield for Thompson to earn a role on the Opening Day squad.
Nick Sogard – INF
Nick Sogard has been a staple of Red Sox spring training lineups so far, which has given him plenty of time to show out at the plate. The infielder has played his way to the front of the line in the Sox’s infield position battles — if Alex Bregman gets the nod at third, Sogard could earn Boston’s second base job.
Sogard is batting .270/.372/.486 with two doubles, two homers and six RBI in 17 games. He has recent experience playing at second base, third base and shortstop, so he could be a solid, versatile option on the Sox’s bench in case injuries or other unforeseen circumstances occur in the infield.
2 Red Sox who’ve played their way off the Opening Day roster
Kristian Campbell – INF/OF
Kristian Campbell was initially at the top of many experts’ lists of potential Opening Day second basemen for the Red Sox. He hasn’t posted the spring training many fans and reporters expected, though, and that’s okay — Campbell is just 22 years old with only 19 games of Triple-A experience.
The young righty is batting .167/.286/.200 with 12 strikeouts over 13 appearances. Reports have also stated that his defense is slightly behind where it needs to be to justify giving him the starting second base job and sacrificing a year of his contract (subscription required). It takes some players a while to warm up at the plate and more training at second base could easily solve his defensive issues, so there’s still a great chance for Sox fans to see Campbell in the big leagues at some point this year.
Josh Winckowski – RP
Josh Winckowski posted 40 outings for Boston last year, some out of the bullpen and some as a depth starter. But even injuries to three Red Sox starting pitchers may not be enough to get the righty a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Winckowski broke out for the Sox in 2023 and posted a 2.88 ERA over 84.1 innings, mostly out of the ‘pen. In 2024, he couldn’t replicate the same success, with a 4.14 ERA over 76 frames in the big leagues. Spring training has also given him some trouble, as he’s allowed 10 runs in five innings of work. The Red Sox’s newly-bolstered bullpen includes some offseason acquisitions and homegrown arms, but Winckowski may not be among them on Opening Day, as more time in Triple-A may help him get settled this year.
