The impact of the Red Sox signing Alex Bregman cannot be overstated.
Adding Bregman gave Boston more than just a reliable right-handed bat, solid defense, and veteran leadership. The two-time World Series champion also brings stability in a pivotal season for the organization.
The Red Sox’s top three prospects—Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell—are all on track to potentially make their MLB debuts in 2025. Before Bregman’s arrival, Campbell was even considered a candidate to start on Opening Day, and that possibility still exists despite the two-time All-Star now being part of the roster.
However, a recent observation from The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey suggests Campbell may need additional time before being fully prepared for the majors.
“In the field, the Red Sox seem to feel he’s (Bregman) a strong enough overall defender that the back-and-forth work on the backfields won’t be a distraction for him, and it gives them time to see if Kristian Campbell can stick at second base,” McCaffrey wrote in a column Monday. “It’s been noticeable how much instruction the team has been giving Campbell, including manager Alex Cora, infield coach José Flores, Bregman, and Trevor Story. In conversations, it seems as if the biggest areas of focus have been fine-tuning footwork, his pre-pitch setup, and how he receives throws.
“While Campbell’s bat took a major step forward last season, there’s no reason to rush him to the majors if he’s not fully ready defensively. I think he’ll develop into a good second baseman, but the team likely wants to ensure he’s not overwhelmed by the speed of the game.”
If Campbell doesn’t start the season with the Red Sox, it shouldn’t be viewed as a setback. The 22-year-old is already ahead of schedule, and as McCaffrey pointed out, taking a patient approach would likely be beneficial for both Campbell and the team.
