Latest news with #KristianCampbell
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Red Sox's Bregman '100%' believes Marcelo Mayer will be great
Red Sox's Bregman '100%' believes Marcelo Mayer will be great originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While the Boston Red Sox are off to a disappointing 28-31 start and fourth place in the American League East, this season is not devoid of hope. Advertisement The primary form of excitement for this roller coaster Red Sox group is a youth infusion headlined by Kristian Campbell, who has already signed an eight-year, $60 million extension, infielder Marcelo Mayer's recent call-up, and the inevitable debut of outfielder Roman Anthony. Mayer is the hot name on the block, and while he is still figuring out MLB pitching, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the 22-year-old, former fourth overall pick in the 2021 Draft. Now that Alex Bregman is out for an extended period with a quad strain, Mayer has a golden opportunity to show off his defensive versatility and solidify himself as a future cornerstone of the franchise. Here is what Bregman had to say about his new teammate: Through six games and 23 at-bats, Mayer is batting .217 with a .554 OPS and a 55 OPS+. He has also struck out six times compared to one walk. Those numbers will increase with more experience, and it should not take long for Mayer to mimic his minor league production. Boston Red Sox shortstop Marcelo Mayer (39), right, and Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) prepare for a hit against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning at American Family McLoone-Imagn Images Over 43 games and 170 at-bats for Triple-A Worcester this year, Mayer hit .271 with a .818 OPS and nine home runs. He also had two stolen bases, five doubles, and a triple. Advertisement Perhaps the most notable aspect of Mayer's tenure so far has been on defense. A natural shortstop, Mayer was thrown into the fire at the hot corner amid Bregman's absence. Boston is still figuring out its best infield configuration, and having a rookie who can legitimately play all over the infield (except maybe first base) will provide manager Alex Cora with immense value and depth. Related: Red Sox Lose Struggling Relief Pitcher to Injured List Related: Red Sox Called Trade Fit for Surging Former First-Round Pitcher This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Red Sox stock up, stock down: Kristian Campbell hits the rookie wall
Red Sox stock up, stock down: Kristian Campbell hits the rookie wall originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston Not much has gone right for the Boston Red Sox since the calendar flipped to May. They've gone 10-16 this month to fall to 27-31, 9.5 games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East. Advertisement The blame pie can be sliced several ways. The offense has been inconsistent, the rotation has struggled behind ace Garrett Crochet, and the team is 6-15 in one-run games. Several key players are in the middle of brutal month-long slumps. So, who needs to turn it around for the Red Sox to get back above .500? Which players have been bright spots during the disappointing stretch? Here's our updated 'Stock Up, Stock Down' with June looming. Stock Up Carlos Narvaez, C The Red Sox acquired Narvaez in an under-the-radar offseason trade with the New York Yankees. The assumption was that he would serve as Connor Wong's backup throughout the 2025 season, but he already has a firm grip on the starting catcher role amid a shockingly impressive start to the campaign. Advertisement In addition to being one of the game's best defensive backstops, Narvaez has been one of Boston's most consistent hitters. The 26-year-old rookie entered Thursday slashing .289/.357/.465 with five homers and 17 RBI. He ranks fourth on the team with a 1.8 fWAR, trailing only Alex Bregman, Garrett Crochet, and Rafael Devers. Rafael Devers, DH Devers refusing to play first base wasn't the best look, but it's easy to look past when he's in the midst of a career year at the plate. The three-time All-Star is hitting .287/.409/.523 with 12 homers and an American League-leading 50 RBI. He recorded the first walk-off homer of his career on May 17 against Atlanta and a grand slam on May 23 against Baltimore. Advertisement Since starting the season 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts, Devers has hit .315 with a 1.005 OPS. The way Devers has raked as the DH, it's easy to see why the Red Sox have refrained from asking him to move back to third base in the wake of Bregman's injury. Jarren Duran, OF Duran is heating up after a subpar start to the season. The 2024 All-Star Game MVP has hit .377 with two homers and 11 RBI in 13 games since May 16. He leads the majors with six triples. Duran took his game to another level in June of last year and finished eighth in AL MVP voting. While it's unfair to expect him to duplicate that success, it's encouraging that he appears to be on the same trajectory as his All-Star season. Advertisement Brennan Bernardino, RHP Bernardino has been the Red Sox bullpen's unsung hero. The 33-year-old righty is tied for the MLB lead with 14 appearances in May. In those appearances, he has amassed an 0.75 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over 12 innings. He has been a bright spot throughout Boston's abysmal stretch. Stock Down Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF It's been all downhill for Campbell since being named the American League Rookie of the Month for March/April. The 22-year-old is hitting .120 with a .335 OPS through 20 games in May, and he was partly responsible for Boston's demise in Wednesday's series finale vs. Milwaukee with a brutal defensive miscue in the 10th inning: Credit where it's due: Campbell has willingly taken practice reps at first base despite never playing the position in his professional career. But at this stage, it's fair to wonder whether the best course of action is to let him figure things out at Triple-A rather than throw him into the fire at a new position during a brutal slump. Advertisement Campbell ascended quickly through the minor-league ranks, cracking Boston's Opening Day roster one year after playing at High-A. The raw talent is undeniable, but he hasn't looked like a big-league player for the last month. Trevor Story, SS Two weeks ago, we stated that the Red Sox couldn't go on much longer with this version of Trevor Story. It hasn't gotten any better for the veteran shortstop, so it's time for the club to seriously consider cutting ties. Story is slashing .218/.263/.318 in 54 games this season. Since May 6, he's hitting .132 (10-for-76) with a .369 OPS. His fielding hasn't made up for those offensive struggles as he's in the midst of arguably the worst defensive season of his career. Advertisement Now that top prospect Marcelo Mayer is in the mix, Story's days in Boston should be numbered. We've reached the tipping point in his disappointing Red Sox tenure. Connor Wong, C Wong has never shined behind the plate, but he had some solid offensive stretches as the Red Sox' starting catcher in 2024. That has not been the case this season. The 29-year-old, who will forever be remembered as one of the key pieces in the infamous Mookie Betts trade, is hitting .157 with no homers and a .402 OPS in 22 games. It didn't take long for him to lose the starting catching gig to Narvaez. While the Red Sox aren't regretting their offseason deal for Garrett Crochet, they may be kicking themselves for parting ways with top catching prospect Kyle Teel. It's been a disastrous year for Wong, even by a backup's standards. Advertisement Starting pitchers not named Garrett Crochet Crochet has lived up to his ace expectations, but who's the No. 2 in Boston's rotation? Tanner Houck was placed on the injured list after a nightmare start to the season, Walker Buehler has been up-and-down and also spent time on the IL, Brayan Bello hasn't looked the part, and Lucas Giolito isn't anything close to his 2021 self. Hunter Dobbins looked sharp to start his rookie campaign but has come crashing back down to earth over his last few apperances. The Red Sox rotation was expected to take a significant step forward in 2025. Instead, it has remained one of the club's biggest weaknesses.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Kristian Campbell might play some first base for Red Sox during series vs. Braves
Marcelo Mayer shares his reaction to being called up to play for the Boston Red Sox Marcelo Mayer shares his reaction to being called up to play for the Boston Red Sox Marcelo Mayer shares his reaction to being called up to play for the Boston Red Sox The Red Sox might see a new side to rookie Kristian Campbell this weekend in Atlanta. Campbell will likely play some first base for Boston during the team's three-game series against the Braves, manager Alex Cora revealed Wednesday. The Red Sox have been scrambling for help at first base since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in his left leg at beginning of May. The team has turned to the likes of Romy Gonzalez, Abraham Toro, and Nick Sogard, but the Red Sox are still exploring other options. After third baseman-turned-designated hitter Rafael Devers turned down a chance to try playing some first, Campbell became another possible option. He began working out at first base almost two weeks ago, and the 22-year-old has slowly gained some confidence at a new position. He will likely get his first in-game introduction to the spot on the diamond this weekend against the Braves. "We talked a few days ago, and he's like, 'I feel confident,'" Cora told reporters Wednesday, before the team was handed its fifth straight loss by the Milwaukee Brewers. "He's like, 'We'll never know if I don't play,'" added Cora. "I love that he feels convicted about it, so one game in Atlanta, he'll do it." Cora toyed with the idea of trying Campbell at first during the team's three-game sweep in Milwaukee. But he didn't want to see the rookie make his debut at the position against an athletic Brewers team that puts a lot of balls in play. "It was going to be tough from that standpoint," explained Cora. "With Atlanta, they do one thing and they do it well: Hit the ball in the air and out of the ballpark. I think [Atlanta is] a good matchup for him." He added that Campbell won't be thrown into the deep end without help, as there will be a coach dedicated to helping him with his new role in-game. Cora said Campbell will be acclimated to his new role slowly, so don't expect him to completely take over the position. "We're not going to all of a sudden go seven in a row," said Cora. "Little by little." Kristian Campbell's defensive versatility Going back to his college career at Georgia Tech, there are only three positions Campbell hasn't played in a game: Pitcher, catcher, and first base. But the flexibility he's shown in his career made the team comfortable enough to put yet another position on Campbell's plate as he navigates his rookie season. When Campbell does take first base for Boston, it will be the fourth different defensive position he plays for the team this season. He's played 43 games at second base, where he's posted a .975 fielding percentage, to go with six appearances in center field and two games in left field. Kristian Campbell's offensive struggles Campbell made Boston's Opening Day roster after he claimed the starting second baseman's job with an impressive Spring Training. He swung a hot bat out of the gates, slashing .301/.407./.495 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and 18 runs scored over 29 games in March and April. But he's been ice cold since the calendar changed to May. Campbell has slashed just .120/.175/.160 with just one extra-base hit (a home run) over his last 20 games. The Red Sox are asking a lot of Campbell to overcome his current offensive struggles while also learning a completely new position in the field. But Cora sounds confident the rookie can handle the move while also making the necessary adjustments at the plate to get out of his slump.
New York Times
6 days ago
- 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
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
The hopes of preseason Red Sox promise have now sunk into the quicksand of mediocrity
The Red Sox are dying on the hill of sustainability, a place they planted themselves in 2020. The homegrown player strategy underpinning their Coring Twenties blueprint is experiencing the growing pains and fits and starts that come with banking on production from players in-progress. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Instead of a silver bullet of success, the Sox have to bite the bullet by fielding lineups that look more suitable for Triple A than the American League East — rookie Kristian Campbell batting cleanup, as well as journeyman Abraham Toro and fringy big leaguer David Hamilton starting. Advertisement Right now, the Red Sox simply don't have the requisite big-league talent to live up to the lofty expectations they engendered. They look greener than those regrettable new City Connect jerseys. The Sox made bold moves, trading for ace Garrett Crochet and signing third baseman Alex Bregman, now out with a strained quad, to a three-year, $120 million deal. But if you paid close attention, what really defined their plan was pushing Campbell into the Opening Day lineup. Related : Advertisement The farm system graduates the Sox have banked on and boosted the bank accounts of aren't paying enough dividends. In March of 2024, Breslow Bello, who started this season delayed by right shoulder inflammation, hasn't gotten through the fifth inning in his last four starts. Last year, he posted solid numbers (14-8, 4.49 ERA), but his ERA+ was 94, with 100 signifying a league-average pitcher. Starter Brayan Bello is one of several young Red Sox talents who haven't lived up to their lofty billing, nor their enlarged paycheck. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Last April, the Sox Campbell rocketed into the Red Sox lineup following a revelatory 2024 in the minors. The Sox inked the first of their Big Three prospects to arrive at Fenway In March and April, the ebullient Campbell batted .301 with four homers and a .902 OPS. Advertisement Rookie second baseman Kristian Campbell, who was named AL Rookie of the Month in April, has crashed back to earth, hitting just .113 in May. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff There are other examples of inchoate players failing to pay off the Sox's rosy internal projections. The poster child for this arrested player development is Triston Casas. The Sox built in no alternative at first base to Casas, incredibly presumptuous considering the mercurial 25-year-old owns but one incredible half of production. Post 2023 All-Star break, he batted .317 with 15 homers and 38 RBI, posting a 1.034 OPS. At the time of his torn patellar tendon, Casas was batting. 182 with a minus-0.9 WAR. He's still more potential and peacocking than proven big league producer — a familiar refrain for the Fenway Forever .500s. It's too early to draw any conclusions about ballyhooed Big Three member Marcelo Mayer, Related : Maybe Roman Anthony, the piece de resistance of Sox prospects, can turn it all around once he gets the call. It's time to break glass in case of emergency with Anthony. But it's heaping immense pressure on a 21-year-old rookie, asking him to save the day and a season that's a flop if the Sox don't land in the playoff field. Advertisement For sure, the young players aren't the only ones flailing. Shortstop Trevor Story is experiencing Odyssean travails, entering Tuesday locked in a 15-for-114 slump with a slash line of .132/.195/.167. Former All-Star Tanner Houck authored two of the It hasn't just been the young players coming up short for the Red Sox this season, as veteran shortstop Trevor Story has struggled mightily at the plate. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Still, the fatal flaw of the Red Sox current organizational philosophy remains blind fealty to the farm system, putting too much stock in and too much responsibility on prospects/emerging big leaguers. Those players have just been handed roles and contracts. Nearly all of them, save for Opening Day hero Wilyer Abreu, are underperforming. It highlights why teams with the resources of the Red Sox usually don't dogmatically pursue this strategy. It's why teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds enter revolving rebuilds where they spin their wheels ad infinitum . The Sox pledged five-plus years ago to mitigate the risk of relying on big-money spending. But relying on young players exposes a team to risk in facets besides finances, chiefly counting on production from unproven and unestablished players. Those players can experience a wide variance of outcomes. They have no established baseline of performance. They're all projection and potential. Right now, the Sox are a team tumbling backwards while waiting for their young players to take those forecasted steps forward. Christopher L. Gasper is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
