Opening Day 2025 is just over three weeks away, leaving time to tell who’ll be on the Boston Red Sox’s final roster. While most veterans’ spots are already secure, several Red Sox prospects still need to prove they belong in manager Alex Cora’s regular-season plans.
Second baseman/outfielder Kristian Campbell — the club’s No. 2-rated prospect — is one up-and-comer vying for a Red Sox roster spot. After a slow start to the spring slate, the 22-year-old infielder finally recorded his first exhibition hit when he tallied a single during Monday’s 6-6 tie with the Baltimore Orioles.
The Red Sox hope to see more of the same from Campbell moving forward, prompting Cora to send a clear message to the rising prospect following Monday’s action.
Red Sox News: Alex Cora Comments on Kristian Campbell’s Spring Training Struggles
Following the tie with the Orioles, Cora told MLB.com’s Ian Browne that although Campbell has been “working hard” and “grinding” this offseason, he’s been making poor decisions at the plate. If the Red Sox 2B/OF wants to turn things around, his manager expects him to be more disciplined.
“We talked to him, and he said, ‘Just got to swing.’ (We were like), ‘No, it’s the other way around. You’ve got to swing less,'” Cora said. “The 0-for-4 (vs. the Philadelphia Phillies), the last two strikeouts were pitches off the plate, and he doesn’t do that.”
Alex Cora on Kristian Campbell, who got his first hit of Spring Training today.
“He’s been working hard. He’s been grinding. I think the good thing is we have a pretty good idea of what he needs [to do]. We talked to him, and he said, ‘Just got to swing.’ [We were like], ‘No,…— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 3, 2025
Even though the Red Sox didn’t emerge victorious against the rival Orioles, Cora likely doesn’t mind too much. Not because spring training games are relatively meaningless in the grand scheme of things, but because he finally got to see Campell celebrating for the first time in a long time.
“It was good to see him smile,” Cora added.
Expectations are clearly high surrounding Campbell following an impressive 2024 performance. Suiting up for 115 games (430 at-bats) across three minor-league levels, the former 2023 fourth-rounder amassed 20 home runs, 77 RBIs, 74 walks, and 24 stolen bases while slashing .330/.439/.558. The breakout performance is playing a big role in his being the MLB’s No. 7 prospect this season.
At the end of the day, the Red Sox’s outlook would benefit from Campbell continuing his upward trajectory and reaching his potential. His potentially making the club’s MLB roster could also help Boston capitalize on it being tied for the seventh-best 2025 World Series odds (+2000) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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