BOSTON – Four hours before first pitch on Friday night, Kristian Campbell stood at first base taking grounders and fielding throws as Red Sox manager Alex Cora, bench coach Ramón Vázquez and infield coach José Flores provided instruction.
In the two weeks since Triston Casas went down with a season-ending knee injury, first base has been a revolving door for the Boston Red Sox and a hot-button issue with the team. From Romy Gonzalez to Abraham Toro to Nick Sogard, the Red Sox have filtered through temporary options.
And when they asked Rafael Devers to move to first, he refused, frustrated with the request from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. His comments caused such a stir that team owner John Henry flew to meet with Devers in Kansas City, where the team was playing last week.
Now, the Red Sox seem to be turning toward Campbell as an option at first base, a move that would open the door for top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer to play second base and perhaps spark a Red Sox lineup desperately in need of a jolt.
“The process started,” Cora said. “It can take 10 days, 15 days, a month, two months, but we started the process and we’re introducing him to first base.”
Campbell split time between second base and center field in the minors last season, but has spent the majority of his time since his big-league debut at second base, with just six games in the outfield. He noted the move to first, on the right side of the field, shouldn’t be too difficult.
“That definitely helps a lot, being on the same side as second base,” he said. “It’s not completely different. It is a little awkward. It looks a little bit different. But the more and more I’m over there working on it, the better it’ll get.
“I’m just being open to it,” he added. “I’ve never played over there before, so I’m not sure exactly what the plans are, but that’s something I definitely have to get used to.”
Campbell borrowed Flores’ infield glove for the drills, but did note he’s ordering his own first base glove, an indication this isn’t just some minor experiment.
Some video of Kristian Campbell at first base with instruction from Infield instructor Jose Flores. pic.twitter.com/jiehSv52f0
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 16, 2025
Campbell quipped he’s played every position but catcher and he’s a quick learner. When asked what his favorite is, he paused, before noting: “Whatever makes the team better, that’s the position I play. I’m used to second base, because that’s what I played in college. But whatever makes the team better at the time.”
Since Devers’ comments last week, the Red Sox appear to have cooled on pushing the idea any further. Though Devers came around on the idea of moving from third base to designated hitter, he seems less inclined to make another move, and all indications are that Cora wants Devers to remain at DH.
“This doesn’t have to do with Raffy,” Cora said when asked if Campbell’s first-base work was a result of Devers’ comments.
Part of the move likely has to do with Campbell’s defense at second. Through 33 games at the position entering Friday, Campbell had posted minus-6 Defensive Runs Saved and minus-3 Outs Above Average.
“Obviously the numbers don’t back him up, but I think he’s been good at turning the double play and he’s been good to his left,” Cora said of Campbell at second. “I think, honestly, it’s more work to his right. I think the angles are OK, not great.”
On Friday night in Worcester, Mayer got his sixth start of the season at second base.
Through 37 games, the 22-year-old Mayer was hitting .274 with an .828 OPS, five doubles, a triple and eight homers. But over the past month, he’s hit .307 with a .939 OPS.
Mayer has spent most of his career at shortstop, including 28 games there this season, but the Red Sox have moved him around the infield this year with four games at third in addition to his work at second, to find a spot on the big league roster for him.
For now, the Red Sox are not rushing Campbell to adjust to first, but feel he can handle the move once he’s had sufficient reps.
“Obviously, we’re throwing this at him,” Cora said. “But we believe he can actually digest it. Like I said, this is not like KC is playing first base tomorrow. We just want to see the footwork, how he moves, and go from there.”
Campbell, who signed an eight-year, $60 million deal at the start of the season, won American League Rookie of the Month in April, but has cooled a bit at the plate since missing a few games with rib discomfort. Still, he’s hitting .246 with a .746 OPS through 33 games.
“It’s all learning and development,” he said. “I’ve gotta develop at this level. Regardless of where it is, I can develop at different positions. I can develop as a hitter. I’m still learning each and every day, each and every at-bat, even, I’m still learning some new stuff, and I’m still trying to get used to it.”
As for first base, he’s willing to give it a shot.
“It’s going to take some time, but it’s something I’m willing to do to help the team,” he said.
(Photo of Marcelo Mayer: WooSox Photo / Ashley Green / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)