During spring training in Fort Myers, Florida, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Kristian Campbell’s main role this season will be in the outfield. While Campbell will focus on outfield duties with the team, his infield work will be limited to individual sessions with infield coordinator José Flores to maintain his versatility.
Campbell’s Defensive Assignments and Training Approach
Cora explained that Campbell is expected to spend most of his playing time in the outfield but will continue some isolated infield practice.
“He’s going to play mostly outfield,”
Cora said at JetBlue Park.
“But we cannot forget about the infield part of it because you never know what can happen … All his work will be in the outfield. Individual work will be with Flo whenever. That’s what we’re doing.”
During these individual drills, Campbell will receive coaching at both second base and third base, focusing on detailed, one-on-one training rather than group sessions.
“It’s not going to be in a group setting,”
Cora added.
“It’s one-on-one, attention to detail and see how he looks.”
Campbell’s Defensive Challenges and Recent Performance
Last season, Campbell began as Boston’s starting second baseman but faced significant struggles defensively, with minus-16 defensive runs saved over 471 ⅔ innings. By contrast, he performed more reliably in the outfield, where he recorded zero defensive runs saved in 69 innings spread across 57 innings in center field and 12 innings in left field. Cora acknowledged the challenges Campbell encountered but remains hopeful about his potential improvements.
“Last year, he made a team because we thought he was going to hit,”
Cora said.
“He hit a little bit. And then he struggled and he knows it. And now it’s just a matter of hopefully the adjustments he made and the suggestions that we gave him can translate in between the lines. In the cage, in BP, it looks great. Now we have to do it in the game.”
Offensive Fluctuations and Development Efforts
Campbell had a strong start in the 2025 season, batting .301 with a .407 on-base percentage, .495 slugging percentage, and .902 OPS over 29 games (123 plate appearances) in April, which earned him the AL Rookie of the Month honor. However, his performance dipped significantly in May and June, managing only a .159 batting average (20-for-126) across 38 games. This slump led to his demotion to Triple-A Worcester on June 20, where he spent the remainder of the season. During the offseason, the Red Sox worked with Campbell on refining his swing mechanics, including through 14 games of Winter Ball in Puerto Rico.
Cora expressed cautious optimism about Campbell’s offensive potential.
“If we get this (the offense) back, we can find at-bats,”
Cora noted.
“That’s his tool — offense. And for a month there, we were very excited. Then the league caught up with him. It took us a while to make adjustments, but he’s in a good spot now. … It’s a different setup. The mindset is still the same: Hit the ball hard.”
Long-Term Outlook for Campbell’s Role and Athleticism
Cora emphasized Campbell’s physical condition and athleticism as strengths that suit him well for the outfield over the long term. The Red Sox view his ability to be versatile defensively as important for his development.
“Versatility is important for him and just to keep evolving as a defender,”
Cora said.
“I think it’s important. But defensive aside, we got to get this (the offense) going. That’s the most important thing.”
Broader Red Sox Context During Spring Training
As the Red Sox continue preparing for the upcoming season, other players like Isiah Kiner-Falefa have had their roles clarified by the team, while ace pitcher Garrett Crochet faces expectations to prove skeptics wrong. Meanwhile, pitcher Patrick Sandoval has focused on recovery amid trade speculations. These developments highlight the team’s efforts to balance new talent integration and veteran contributions as they move forward.
Kristian Campbell’s transition to an outfield-focused role reflects the Red Sox’s intention to maximize his athletic skills while addressing his past defensive inconsistencies. His adjustments at the plate and continued versatility could be key factors in how much he contributes to Boston’s roster this season.
