Does Kristian Campbell have a preferred position?
Already, 39 games into his big league career, Campbell has played second base (34 games), center field (4), and left field (2). In the minors, he also had time at shortstop, third, and even two games in right.
So, what’s his favorite?
“Whatever makes the team better, that’s the position I play,” Campbell said Friday before the Red Sox 4-2 loss to the Braves at Fenway Park. “I’m used to second base, because that’s what I played in college. But whatever makes the team better at the time.”
It was with that attitude in mind that, just before 3 p.m., Campbell started the first lesson in a tutorial that could help reconfigure the Triston Casas-less Red Sox in the coming weeks.
Campbell, with a first baseman’s mitt borrowed from first base and infield coach José Flores, worked with Flores and bench coach Ramón Vázquez on the basics of playing first base. The 22-year-old rookie worked on taking throws — both on the fly and short hops — as well as taking grounders and offering flips to a pitcher covering the bag.
“I get to knock it off my bucket list,” Campbell mused.
(Campbell briefly expressed excitement that he could now claim to have experienced every position, before disappointedly amending the claim when he realized he’d never caught.)
The workout represented the beginning of an experiment rather than a process that has a definite outcome. Maybe Campbell will end up at first base for the Sox; maybe not. But he and the team are willing to see where his education at the position goes.
“Looking for options,” said manager Alex Cora, a spectator to Campbell’s work. “Obviously, we’re getting Romy [Gonzalez back from the injured list], probably at the end of the week, early next week. But, you know, just introducing him to first base and see how it looks. That’s where we’re at.”
If Campbell can slide over from second, it could open the door for standout prospect Marcelo Mayer. Mayer entered Friday hitting .274/.341/.486 with eight homers (most in the Red Sox farm system) for the WooSox.
On Friday, Mayer made his sixth start of the season at second base for Triple-A Worcester. He’s expected to get increased time at second in the coming days — an indication of the potential pairing of Campbell taking over at first and Mayer getting called up to play second.
That said, the Sox aren’t viewing a move by Campbell as a fait accompli. His work at the position is in its infancy.
“The process started,” said Cora. “It can take 10 days, 15 days, a month, two months, but we started the process, and we’re introducing him to first base.”
In theory, a Campbell move to first could help the Sox on both sides of the ball. Since Casas (who had gotten off to a poor start) suffered the season-ending rupture of his patellar tendon, Sox first basemen Gonzalez (before landing on the injured list), Abraham Toro, and Nick Sogard have combined to hit .255/.280/.362. Mayer would offer a power dimension that the trio doesn’t possess.
He also might represent a defensive upgrade on Campbell who, according to Statcast, has graded as two runs below average at second. Mayer has the athleticism, work ethic, and baseball IQ to improve upon that standing — and, in fact, has already shown a defensive ability that has improved since the start of the year — but certainly continues to develop.
“He’s learning how to play second base at this level … this is still a work in progress,” Cora said of Campbell at second, praising his ability to turn double plays. “Obviously, we’re throwing this at him, but we believe he can actually digest it. This is not like [Campbell] is playing first base tomorrow. We just want to see the footwork, how he moves, and go from there.”
On Friday, Campbell proved a willing and responsive student at first base, seeking feedback from Flores and quickly implementing some suggestions — such as taking advantage of the increased amount of time at first and clearing his glove out of the way when flipping the ball. His initial view of the work?
“I felt pretty comfortable. They do a really good job of introducing new things to me all the time, and it’s just another position,” said Campbell. “Just being open to it, for sure, and just getting used to it. 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.”
At the least, it is a worthwhile experiment for the Sox — particularly after Rafael Devers objected to an introduction to playing first earlier this month.
Had Devers been willing and able to go there, it would have created a path for Masataka Yoshida to return as a DH, or for Mayer and/or Roman Anthony to reach the big leagues while using the DH as a rotating position.
For Campbell, if the new position takes, Mayer could become an option in the near future.
“Obviously, it’s going to take some time,” said Campbell. who went 0 for 4 in Friday’s loss. “But it’s something I’m willing to do to help the team.”
Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com. Follow him @alexspeier.
