How does Red Sox' frontrunner candidate at second base look defensively? - masslive.com

Despite some spring struggles, Kristian Campbell remains squarely in the mix to make the Red Sox' Opening Day roster. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Getty Images

FORT MYERS, Fla. — With just five days before the regular season opener, Kristian Campbell remains the frontrunner to be the Red Sox' Opening Day second baseman.

The 22-year-old is leading off for Boston in its Grapefruit League game against the Rays on Saturday in Port Charlotte.

David Hamilton remains an Opening Day starting second base option if the Red Sox determine in the coming days that Campbell needs some more development time at Triple-A Worcester.

Romy Gonzalez (oblique inflammation) expects to be ready for Opening Day. And so the Red Sox also could use a platoon at second base with Gonzalez (right-handed hitter) and Hamilton (left-handed hitter) if Campbell begins at Triple A.

Marcelo Mayer remains a long shot candidate at second base.

If Campbell, a right-handed hitter, makes the team, he also could play left field with Gonzalez at second base on the days that Cora wants to stack a bunch of right-handed hitters against a left-handed starting pitcher.

Campbell has gone just 7-for-42 (.167) with two doubles in spring training. But the Red Sox aren’t concerned with his stats. They think he has done a better job controlling at-bats as Grapefruit League action has progressed.

Is Campbell ready defensively at second base? His defense has been behind his offense in pro ball so far. Baseball America, which ranks Campbell No. 4 on its Top 100 list, grades his fielding 50 (major league average) and his arm 50.

Red Sox infield instructor Jose Flores was on Worcester’s coaching staff last year. But he saw Campbell play only two games at second base after the top prospect’s late-season promotion to the WooSox last Aug. 20. Campbell spent more time at shortstop (14 games, 11 starts) in Worcester while also getting two starts in center field.

“Obviously we didn’t get a chance to work a lot at second base last year,” Flores said Saturday at JetBlue Park. “This is the first time throughout spring training that we get to get some work done. But he’s come a long ways. He’s actually accepted the challenge of trying to get better at that position and hopefully, have a chance making the big league club.

“So I think he’s come a long ways, especially turning double plays, which is actually something that he wasn’t used to being on his blind side,” Flores added. “I think he’s come a long ways and feels a hell of a lot more comfortable doing that.”

The Red Sox also have worked on Campbell’s throwing mechanics since he entered the organization. There were some of questions about his arm coming out Georgia Tech. The focus has been on “getting his mechanics sound.”

As the left fielder Thursday, Campbell made a strong throw from the left field line to second base to throw out Twins leadoff hitter Byron Buxton who tried to extend a single into a double.

“He’s using his legs properly on everything he’s doing pretty much,” Flores said. “Even when he played in the outfield the other day, we saw him making a play down the line, throwing Byron Buxton out at second base. He’s been able to finish close double plays, which is huge for us. So I don’t see the arm being an issue.”

Flores said they will continue “to work on all areas” of Campbell’s defense at second.

“Because it’s the first time that he’s playing second base on pretty much an everyday basis,” Flores said. “That being said, there’ll be some plays that may pop up during one day that you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s something that we should target at some point.‘ So we’ll continue the development process throughout the whole course of the season.”

What’s the one area manager Alex Cora wants to see Campbell improve at defensively?

“Turning the double play and he’s done a good job with it,” Cora said. “The range is there. The arm plays. That play he made the other day in left field, not too many outfielders can do it. But I think the double plays, they’re good, we’re comfortable with it.”

Cora said Campbell’s “underlying numbers” offensively are trending in the right direction.

“He’s hitting the ball hard and not chasing. So he’s a good hitter, man,” Cora said.

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