Latest news with #firstbase
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
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Angels trade first baseman Ryan Noda to Red Sox for cash
The Boston Red Sox acquired first baseman Ryan Noda from the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in a deal for cash. Noda had been designated for assignment by the Angels before the trade that gives the Red Sox another possible option at first base. Noda was immediately optioned by Boston to Triple-A Worcester following the trade with outfielder Masataka Yoshida getting transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster. The Red Sox have been looking for help at first base after losing Triston Casas to a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. The 29-year-old Noda played 164 games for the Oakland Athletics in 2023-24, batting .212 with 17 homers, 58 RBIs and a .713 OPS. He had played 38 games this season at Triple-A Salt Lake this season, batting .148 with four homers, eight RBIs and a .633 OPS.
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Red Sox acquire 1st baseman Ryan Noda from Angels for cash
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox acquired first baseman Ryan Noda from the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in a deal for cash. Noda had been designated for assignment by the Angels before the trade that gives the Red Sox another possible option at first base. Noda was immediately optioned by Boston to Triple-A Worcester following the trade with outfielder Masataka Yoshida getting transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster. The Red Sox have been looking for help at first base after losing Triston Casas to a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. The 29-year-old Noda played 164 games for the Oakland Athletics in 2023-24, batting .212 with 17 homers, 58 RBIs and a .713 OPS. He had played 38 games this season at Triple-A Salt Lake this season, batting .148 with four homers, eight RBIs and a .633 OPS. ___ AP MLB:
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.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers addresses being asked to move to first base
Is it 'too much' to ask Devers to play first base after Casas knee injury? Felger & Mazz discuss comments from Alex Cora about asking Rafael Devers to move to first base after Triston Casas suffered a ruptured patellar it 'too much' to ask Devers to play first base after Casas knee injury? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
