Kristian Campbell is getting another look at second base as the Red Sox near a final decision on their Opening Day lineup.
The 22-year-old, ranked Baseball America’s No. 4 overall prospect, started at second base Friday against the Pirates at JetBlue Park and is set to start there again Saturday against the Rays in Port Charlotte.
Though he’s not yet on the 40-man roster, Campbell appears poised to make his MLB debut as Boston’s Opening Day second baseman when they face the Rangers on March 27.
“We have a pretty good idea of what we’re going to do (at second). We just have to be patient,” manager Alex Cora said Friday.
Campbell has emerged as the frontrunner for the job, competing with David Hamilton and Marcelo Mayer. Vaughn Grissom was also in the mix but was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
Hamilton, meanwhile, is expected to make the roster as a utility player if he doesn’t win the starting role. “There’s a pretty good chance he’s going to be on the team,” Cora noted.
On Saturday, Campbell will play second, Mayer will be at third, Nick Sogard at first, and Hamilton at shortstop against the Rays. Boston’s lineup for Sunday’s final Grapefruit League game is still to be determined.
Additional roster cuts are expected Friday as the Red Sox finalize their Opening Day squad.
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