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Washington Post
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Angels pitcher Tyler Anderson gets into shouting match with Red Sox coaches 2 days after rough start
BOSTON — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Anderson got into a shouting match with Red Sox first base coach José Flores on the field at Fenway Park before Wednesday's game. Neither team would discuss what it was about. A video posted on social media showed Anderson and Flores going face-to-face during batting practice. Angels pitching coach Barry Enright also joined the argument before Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson came in and tried to break it up.
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Kristian Campbell expected to start at first base this weekend: ‘Credit to him'
The Kristian Campbell first base experiment is about to begin. On Wednesday, manager Alex Cora told reporters in Milwaukee that Campbell could start at first base for the Red Sox this weekend in Atlanta. The news came prior to Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Brewers in 10 innings. Campbell, playing at second base, made an errant throw home, allowing the tying run to score before a sacrifice fly gave Milwaukee the victory. The Red Sox have lost five straight, including their last two in walk-off fashion. Advertisement Injuries and inconsistency from the lineup have the Red Sox trying to piece together their regular lineup. Campbell, a 22-year-old rookie infielder, began working out at first base two weeks ago as the Red Sox sought to expand his versatility in the wake of Triston Casas' season-ending knee injury. Campbell has started 40 games at second base, six in center field and one in left field since his MLB debut in March, but he has never played at first base, even in the minors. Nevertheless, he was eager to take on the new challenge when the Red Sox presented it to him at the beginning of the last homestand. 'Whatever makes the team better, that's the position I play,' he said last week. 'I'm used to second base because that's what I played in college. But whatever makes the team better at the time.' First Base Coach/Infield Instructor José Flores mic'd up as Kristian Campbell continues his work at first base 👀 — NESN (@NESN) May 21, 2025 When Campbell began working out at first base it was viewed as a way to open second base for top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer. But that was before Alex Bregman went down with a severe quad injury, necessitating Mayer's promotion last weekend. Mayer rose through the Red Sox system as a shortstop, but has only started at third base since his debut. He's moved over to shortstop in two games as a defensive replacement. In the wake of Casas' injury, the Red Sox have cycled through Nick Sogard, Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez at first base. Gonzalez has been on the injured list for the last few weeks following a collision at first base he suffered shortly after Casas' injury. Gonzalez is expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. In the meantime, Campbell may start to see regular reps at first, but Cora said he won't be playing there every day. Advertisement Last week, Cora labeled Campbell as a two or three out of 10 in terms of readiness at first. Infield coach José Flores agreed, but noted Campbell has been quick to adapt. 'I think (his progress at first is) coming along at a decent pace from what probably all of us thought,' Flores said last week. Flores has worked with Campbell on a near daily basis at first over the last two weeks and has noticed Campbell's athleticism at play, something that hasn't been a surprise given that Campbell has moved between outfield and infield over the last two years in the minors. Still, Flores said there things they've been more focused on to get Campbell up to speed quicker. 'At first base there's a lot of bag recognition and just working around the bag,' he said. 'There are still those plays that they get caught up in between. And they don't know if they need to go after the ball or just cover first base because the second baseman is going to be able to catch it. Communication with the second baseman, communication with the pitcher, game-stuff like cuts and relays. Where do they need to be? What do I do if it's a ball in the gap with a runner on first base, stuff like that, because when the game starts, it's up to you. We cannot tell you what you need to do or not to. So you need to be able to react.' Campbell has had the right attitude about it from Flores' perspective. 'It caught my attention, he said this being the first time that he's played first base, everything that he's getting, is the right info,' Flores said. 'He's not being taught anything else other than what we've been teaching him right now. The process will probably be a little bit faster than with others that have played probably a couple of times in there and have gotten a bunch of things from all different coaches.' Advertisement 'When you're willing to take on the challenge, even though it's a position that you've never played and that we're asking you to do on the biggest stage there is in baseball, it says a lot about that kid,' Flores said. 'He's all about putting himself in the best position to succeed. And at the same time help the team. So, credit to him.' Meanwhile, Cora told reporters in Milwaukee there won't be further discussions of Rafael Devers playing third base, but he didn't rule out Devers getting work at first base at some point down the road. The infield shuffle with Campbell, though, does little in terms of opening space in the outfield for No. 1 prospect Roman Anthony. Cora has discussed center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela playing more in the infield, which could shift Jarren Duran to center and open left field for Anthony. Rafaela or Trevor Story could also be benched when Anthony is promoted given their lack of production at the plate. There's little reason at this point for Anthony to remain in the minors. Rafaela is second in the majors among outfielders with 10 Defensive Runs Saved, but at some point, the Red Sox will need to sacrifice some defense for what Anthony can provide on offense. In 49 games in Triple A, Anthony is hitting .318 with a .978 OPS and eight homers. Campbell's move to first this weekend doesn't necessarily portend an Anthony promotion, but it appears Anthony's big-league debut is drawing year. The Red Sox continue to shuffle the roster around to find a mix that works in an effort to prevent the season from slipping away before they've even reached the halfway mark. Roman Anthony extends his on-base streak to 24 games. 106.8 mph EV – 362 ft [image or embed] — (@ May 28, 2025 at 9:32 AM
CBS News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Kristian Campbell starts working at first base for Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are going to give rookie Kristian Campbell a try at first base. Campbell worked out at first ahead of Friday night's game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Campbell entered the season as one of baseball's top prospects and was named Boston's starting second baseman after an impressive spring. He has also played in the outfield, and has experience around the diamond at shortstop and third base in the minors. But Friday was his first venture over to first base. The Red Sox have been scrambling to find help at first since Triston Casas was lost to a season-ending knee injury on May 2. Romy Gonzalez was his replacement, but is also on the shelf with a left quad contusion he suffered last week. So on Friday, the team decided to have Campbell give the position a shot. The rookie used a first baseman's glove he borrowed from infield coach José Flores, and worked with his coaches on some of the basics of the position. Campbell took throws at first, including a few short-hops, as well as grounders at the position. Some video of Kristian Campbell at first base with instruction from Infield instructor Jose Flores. — Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 16, 2025 It's not a sure thing that Campbell will ever see time at first, since Gonzalez is expected to return in the near future. Boston manager Alex Cora said that Friday was just an introduction to first base for Campbell, as the team is explores all options. "The process started, right? It can take 10 days, 15 days, a month, two months. But we started the process and introduced him to first," said Cora. The rookie was asked what his favorite position is to play, and gave an extremely team-first answer. "Whatever makes the team better, that's the position I play," said Campbell. "I'm used to second base, because that's what I played in college. But whatever makes the team better at the time." Campbell joked that he was happy to cross first base off his "bucket list." The Red Sox approached Rafael Devers about potentially putting in some time at first base, but he balked at the notion after switching from third base to designated hitter following the arrival of Alex Bregman late in the offseason. Could Campbell at first clear path for Marcelo Mayer? Campbell at first could have an added benefit for Boston, as it would create an opening for prospect Marcelo Mayer. Mayer has clubbed eight homers and slashed .274/.341/.486 for the Worcester Red Sox in Triple-A, and started his sixth game at second base on Friday night. Should Campbell make a move, we could see the right side of Boston's infield made up by two extremely promising rookies.
Boston Globe
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Kristian Campbell's distinctive approach has made him one of the Red Sox' most consistent hitters
'Definitely, we thought that we were going to see a little bit of struggling,' said Red Sox first base coach José Flores. But Campbell has done the opposite. The 22-year-old entered Wednesday having been one of the most consistent players in the Red Sox lineup this year, carrying an .313/.420/.515 line while having reached base in 26 of his first 28 games. Advertisement Those marks are among the most impressive put up by a Red Sox rookie in his first month in the big leagues — particularly after breaking camp with the team. No Red Sox rookie who began the season as an everyday starter has ever posted a better OBP through 28 games. Aside from Japanese veteran Masataka Yoshida in 2023, you'd likely have to go back to George Scott in 1966 to find a Red Sox rookie who — without any prior experience in the big leagues — debuted on Opening Day and made such an impact. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'It's definitely surprising, even for me sometimes,' said Campbell. 'It's my first time seeing all these pitchers. I really just try to keep everything as simple as possible.' The foundation of Campbell's success is a distinctive approach in which he appears ready to swing out of his shoes on any pitch and yet maintains the ability to pull back his swing. The result appears unusual — almost as if Campbell check-swings on every pitch — but it has allowed him to take aggressive swings combined with impressive takes. Advertisement 'I'm ready every pitch. I'm literally ready every pitch to hit,' explained Campbell. 'Being able to stop last second and make that last-second split decision to stop is, I think, something I carried over. I'm swinging until I'm not swinging. That's pretty much my approach, and I think that's made me successful.' It is early, but through his first month Campbell has struck an offensive balance of aggressiveness and plate discipline that usually eludes players for years, if not careers, while also adjusting to the opposing pitcher's plan of attack. 'Adaptability is probably the best word for that,' said Sox hitting coach Pete Fatse. 'He's learning things on the fly in a lot of cases, and I think his ability to apply information as it comes to him is what's separating him right now.' 'He's been able to [make adjustments] from one AB to the other, and that's really tough to do in your rookie year,' said Flores. 'Those are the flashes of a superstar in the big leagues.' Waiting for Wong The Red Sox hope catcher Connor Wong (broken left pinkie) will be ready to rejoin the team this weekend, but he'll need at least one more rehab game with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday before he's ready. 'He doesn't feel comfortable catching right now,' said Sox manager Alex Cora. 'There's a little hesitation to the pitches. So he's going to give it a try tomorrow, see how he feels.' Advertisement Newcomb in relief With Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello back, lefthander Sean Newcomb will get a look as a lefthanded option out of the bullpen. He and the Sox were encouraged by his first relief outing of the season on Sunday, when he struck out three in a scoreless inning. 'When I signed here, I knew obviously the depth they had in the rotation,' said Newcomb. 'I'd pitched out of the 'pen plenty in my career and love being in a leverage role, just pitching in games that matter, coming to the park every day ready to play. So it's different, for sure, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity.' ... Lefthander Brennan Bernardino was placed on the bereavement list. His roster spot was taken by Giolito, who was activated on Wednesday ... Red Sox players remained amazed by Daulton Varsho's catch on Tuesday, when the Blue Jays center fielder lost his footing, fell on the turf, but — while kneeling, and with his back to the plate — reached to his left and made a blind, backhand catch of a flyball to the center field warning track by Jarren Duran. 'Never seen anything like that,' said Cora. Alex Speier can be reached at
