{"id":57981,"date":"2025-05-28T00:39:44","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T00:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=57981"},"modified":"2025-05-28T00:39:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T00:39:44","slug":"red-sox-triple-a-manager-backs-kristian-campbells-defensive-versatility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=57981","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Triple-A Manager Backs Kristian Campbell’s Defensive Versatility"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n

‘He’s a very raw, talented athlete’<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n

NESN Staff 1 Hour Ago2 Min Read<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
\n
Boston Red Sox rookie Kristian Campbell has been somewhat of a Swiss Army Knife since joining the organization\u2019s big league club.<\/p>\n

Campbell debuted as a second baseman on Opening Day and immediately guarded left field just two days later. The 22-year-old has also been tested in centerfield, and as the Red Sox seek a reliable Triston Casas substitute at first base, Campbell\u2019s limit has been further tested. He\u2019s undergone pregame reps at first base over the past few weeks, which, while unusual for a rookie, isn\u2019t anything Campbell can\u2019t handle, according to WooSox manager Chad Tracy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a very raw, talented athlete,\u201d Tracy told NESN\u2019s \u201c310 To Left\u201d. \u201cA guy that athleticism is so good that you can throw him out in center like, \u2018Oh that\u2019s pretty good.\u2019 You throw him at second, \u2018That\u2019s not bad.\u2019 Played short, he played a lot of short for us, too, initially. So, plugged him everywhere, has things to work on everywhere, but is so athletically talented that he\u2019s able to get by.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pushing the boundaries isn\u2019t anything new to Campbell. The Red Sox selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft as an infielder out of Georgia Tech, but Campbell played centerfield when promoted to Triple-A last season. It hasn\u2019t been a problem, so based on everything Campbell has shown thus far, there\u2019s no reason to doubt his abilities to play first base \u2014 a position players for years have traditionally transitioned to, seamlessly.<\/p>\n

Campbell has hit .224\/.313\/.356 with five home runs and 16 RBIs through his first 47 games as a big leaguer.<\/p>\n

\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

You can watch the full episode of NESN\u2019s \u201c310 To Left\u201d here:<\/p>\n