Red Sox: Where does Kristian Campbell fit in 2026?

Currently, the Red Sox have several certainties for the upcoming season.

Barring a trade between now and then, Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu will share most of the innings in the outfield.

In the infield, the club will rely on Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong behind the plate. Otherwise, guys like Willson Contreras, Trevor Story, and Marcelo Mayer should play on a regular basis.

In addition to the certainties mentioned above, Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton will also see action in the infield, either at second or third base. Let's not forget that Nick Sogard, Nate Eaton, Triston Casas, and Masataka Yoshida are still there as well.

Why are we saying all this? To remind you that, while it's not mission impossible, breaking into the Boston Red Sox's offensive lineup won't be easy at the upcoming camp.

That's why Kristian Campbell has already been in Florida for a month. He's working hard, both at second base and in the outfield, to stack the odds in his favor.

Kristian Campbell has been in Fort Myers since early January and is working at both second base and in the outfield, per @alexspeier. pic.twitter.com/miUKCRQTu6

— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) January 31, 2026

It's interesting to see him not confined to second base…

Kristian Campbell is the young member of the big three who started 2025 in the Majors, quickly signed an eight-year, $60 million contract with the Red Sox, slowed down… and ended the season in AAA, in Worcester.

I still think the Red Sox will get their money's worth with him. But clearly, he's proof that a young player's development isn't exactly linear.

Because he finished the 2025 season poorly, still has things to learn, and the Red Sox have a lot of resources, I see him starting the 2026 season in the minors.

That said, I expect to see him get a role in Boston during the season. I have a feeling that his winter of hard work (and mental rest from the pressure of being an MLB player) will pay off.

Don't write him off too quickly.

This content was created with the help of AI.