Red Sox second base picture becomes clearer as team makes cuts
The Boston Red Sox second base situation isn’t necessarily finalized yet, but one thing is becoming clearer: they’re seeing if they can add youth and upside at that spot.
That much is evidenced by the team’s decision to option Vaughn Grissom to Triple-A on Wednesday. That move, combined with who’s still with the major-league club at camp and getting opportunities at second base, signifies that the Sox are making a concerted effort to work one of their multiple talented young prospects into the lineup at second.
Marcelo Mayer notably got a look at second base on Tuesday and Wednesday, and continued his strong spring at the plate without being an issue in the field. The smooth-swinging Mayer is batting .344 with a .995 OPS in 32 spring at-bats. He told reporters he wants to prove he can play multiple positions beyond just shortstop, and that he feels he’s ready for the major leagues as he enters his fifth professional season.
“He can do it,” manager Alex Cora said earlier this week (via Julian McWilliams and Pete Abraham at the Boston Globe), on Mayer playing second base. “Like I said, everybody has a shot.”
Among the Red Sox’ up-and-coming prospects, Kristian Campbell can be viewed as more of an incumbent at second base. He has less major league experience and less of a pedigree than Mayer, but he’s more natural and experienced at second and has rocketed up Baseball America’s prospect rankings. Campbell (No. 4) blew by Mayer (No. 15) in his first appearance on the annual top-100 prospects list.
Campbell has not swung a good bat this spring, as he enters Friday batting .175 with a .517 OPS in 40 spring at-bats. But he’s a more logical fit than Mayer at second base. If that roster spot comes down to Campbell or Mayer, Cora will have an interesting decision to make.
David Hamilton remains in the fold for Boston, and still has a strong chance to begin the season as the starting second baseman. Utility man Romy Gonzalez is also still with the major-league club, and despite a recent injury scare could be ready for Opening Day as well.
But it’s clear at this point that the team’s top infield prospects are making a serious push to play second base. Mayer has progressed to the point that they should find a spot for him to play in the majors, but Campbell is more MLB-ready to play second base, in particular. It wouldn’t be surprising to see either Campbell or Mayer seize the Red Sox second base job sooner rather than later.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
