Who should start at second base on opening day?

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

It is worth noting that when all the Sox top prospects were promoted from Double A last summer, it was Mayer who was leading the Eastern League in batting average.

Mayer was not even leading the Sea Dogs in batting, unless you set the ABs to over 213.

.362 Campbell in 213 ABs

.307 Mayer in 300 ABs

2024 across all levels (300+ ABs):

.330 Campbell

.328 Gasper (gone)

.309 Arias

.307 Mayer

.293 Meidroth (gone)

.291 Anthony

.288 Teel (gone)

OPS Leaders

.997 Campbell

.970 Gasper

.896 Arias

.894 Anthony

.892 Jh Garcia

.850 Mayer

.840 B Gonzalez

.838 Meidroth

.835 Sogard

.821 Romero

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I get the feeling Cora likes the idea of Campbell as an infielder-outfielder option who can hit.

AC loves those versatile AC types.

Maybe the front office evaluators also see more value for Campbell that way -- a player who may never be a Gold Glover at one position, but a bat-first guy they can plug in where needed. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Mayer was not even leading the Sea Dogs in batting, unless you set the ABs to over 213.

.362 Campbell in 213 ABs

.307 Mayer in 300 ABs

2024 across all levels (300+ ABs):

.330 Campbell

.328 Gasper (gone)

.309 Arias

.307 Mayer

.293 Meidroth (gone)

.291 Anthony

.288 Teel (gone)

OPS Leaders

.997 Campbell

.970 Gasper

.896 Arias

.894 Anthony

.892 Jh Garcia

.850 Mayer

.840 B Gonzalez

.838 Meidroth

.835 Sogard

.821 Romero

It was before Campbell was in Portland (or maybe not yet eligible). I read it on the Eastern League leaders' board on the wall at Dunkin Park; Mayer was first, ahead of Teel, who was third, and Anthony was lower.

[moonslav59]

13 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

It was before Campbell was in Portland (or maybe not yet eligible). I read it on the Eastern League leaders' board on the wall at Dunkin Park; Mayer was first, ahead of Teel, who was third, and Anthony was lower.

213 ABs likely was a DNQ for KC.

On the MiLB website, it shows Teel as the leader. He had 325 ABs (382 PAs). Mayer had 335 and KC 255.

My guess is the qualifying mark was between 336 and 382.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

26 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

213 ABs likely was a DNQ for KC.

On the MiLB website, it shows Teel as the leader. He had 325 ABs (382 PAs). Mayer had 335 and KC 255.

My guess is the qualifying mark was between 336 and 382.

It wasn't the day they were promoted, but definitely mid-summer.

Btw: I expect Anthony to be the best hitter of them all at the big league level. Coaches and teammates are already noting his patience in the box, at age 20.

[mvp 78]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2025-positional-power-rankings-second-base/

9th in the FanGraphs Power Rankings for 2b! 

Campbell 1.6 fWAR

Bregman 1.1 fWAR

Boston’s second base situation has been an inscrutable mystery all spring. Right now, Kristian Campbell appears to be the favorite for playing time. On one hand, Campell has absolutely earned an opportunity, having unlocked an extra grade or two of power and torn up three levels of the minor leagues in 2024; he was the no. 7 prospect in all of baseball in our recent offseason Top 100. This is the kind of player you make room for, although he might not make the Opening Day roster.

On the other hand, the Red Sox shelled out for the top third baseman on the free agent market (Alex Bregman) despite having an even better third baseman (Rafael Devers) under contract through the Rapture. No matter; had Bregman been drafted by any team other than the Astros, that’s probably where he would’ve been playing all along. And it’s where I’d play him now if I were in charge.

As if Alex Cora needed more options at second, he also has utilityman David Hamilton. The 27-year-old out of the University of Texas had kind a fringy 2024 at the plate (.248/.303/.395), but he can play both middle infield positions, and he stole 33 bases in 37 attempts over just 98 games.

So I guess I’ll say this: I can’t tell you who will end up as Boston’s nominal starting second baseman, but I’m confident this will be a position of strength no matter who ends up there.

[mvp 78]

I don't think Mayer profiles best at 2b and would prefer Story 2b/Mayer SS if both are playing.

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I don't think Mayer profiles best at 2b and would prefer Story 2b/Mayer SS if both are playing.

Story is the better defensive SS, and maybe they think that is more important. 

I'm not against Mayer at SS and Story at 2B.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I don't think Mayer profiles best at 2b and would prefer Story 2b/Mayer SS if both are playing.

A big part of the game plan this winter was to bring in veteran leaders, and the Sox aren't going to dis the incumbent veteran going into the season. That's dis- as in disrespect -- moving him for a rookie -- but also disrupt, as in his comeback re. a full season at SS.

But if Boston really improves in other areas and looks like a legit contender, and Story's arm looks like a liability, then such a monumental shift could happen later this season. 

Hey, Theo is around, and he once traded the Face of the Franchise in mid-summer... just so the Sox could win the World Series!

[Old Red]

16 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I don't think Mayer profiles best at 2b and would prefer Story 2b/Mayer SS if both are playing.

This doesn’t do Mayer any good developmental wise playing him SS one day, 3B another day, and 2B another day. When Mayer gets on the 26 put him where he’s going to play, and leave him there. Same with Campbell. When they make it they should be FT players. Not role players. That’s for Romy, and Sogards of the world.

[mvp 78]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Story is the better defensive SS, and maybe they think that is more important. 

I'm not against Mayer at SS and Story at 2B.

I disagree with post-surgery Story being better. When he was younger, sure. 

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

I disagree with post-surgery Story being better. When he was younger, sure. 

Story is not the same player he was in Colorado both AB, and in the field IMO.

[Bellhorn04]

39 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Story is not the same player he was in Colorado both AB, and in the field IMO.

The stats say he's still pretty good in the field.  I'm sure he's lost a little range.

[Old Red]

Just now, Bellhorn04 said:

The stats say he's still pretty good in the field.  I'm sure he's lost a little range.

Maybe a little arm too.

[mvp 78]

Trevor's arm strength is towards the bottom of the league at SS. The funny thing is that most people don't want Hamilton over there because of his arm, but he's top 25 for that position in arm strength. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

I disagree with post-surgery Story being better. When he was younger, sure. 

You could be right. I don't know much about mayer's defense, but he seems better suited for 3B.

Story still looks pretty damn good with the glove and range, but if the arm is much worse, I'm fine with him at 2B.

Having Bregman at 3B and maybe Campbell at 2B creates a squeeze, but with Story and Mayer's health histories, keeping everyone for a while makes sense.

I'd be fine with Bregman at 3B, Mayer at SS and Story at 2B. (This might be why we've seen Campbell playing OF, some.)

[mvp 78]

21 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

You could be right. I don't know much about mayer's defense, but he seems better suited for 3B.

Story still looks pretty damn good with the glove and range, but if the arm is much worse, I'm fine with him at 2B.

Having Bregman at 3B and maybe Campbell at 2B creates a squeeze, but with Story and Mayer's health histories, keeping everyone for a while makes sense.

I'd be fine with Bregman at 3B, Mayer at SS and Story at 2B. (This might be why we've seen Campbell playing OF, some.)

Field: Instinctual defender with fluid actions. Looks like he is gliding on the field. Soft hands and solid footwork. Moves well and has plenty of range for shortstop. Confident defender; will take a flashy infield. Some long-term concerns about his ability to stick at shortstop as he matures. Organization appeared poised to get him some reps at third base midway through 2024, but injuries, including the one that eventually ended his season after July 30, effectively scuttled those plans. Potential above-average defender at short for the foreseeable future.

Arm: Plus arm, plenty for shortstop. Confident in his arm and able to make all the throws with plenty of zip.

[vjcsmoke]

Looks like Hamilton has won the 2B job.

Also Grissom got optioned out to Triple AAA. This is his last option year.

Unless he develops and is called up later this year, the Red Sox might need to cut bait on their central acquisition from the Chris Sale trade.

I'm optimistic about seeing a future IF of Mayer SS/Campbell 2B. And then later Roman Anthony in RF.

For now the kids will get the most playing time and best development in the minors. But hopefully we get to see them again when rosters expand and maybe they can contribute a little down the stretch.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, vjcsmoke said:

Looks like Hamilton has won the 2B job.

Campbell and Mayer are still 2B options.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, vjcsmoke said:

Also Grissom got optioned out to Triple AAA. This is his last option year.

Unless he develops and is called up later this year, the Red Sox might need to cut bait on their central acquisition from the Chris Sale trade.

He could have a nice year in AAA and make the club in 2026.

[Old Red]

5 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

He could have a nice year in AAA and make the club in 2026.

Last year was Grissom’s best chance to make the team. This year the chance while still there was not as good, and 2026 will be slim, and none IMO.

[Hitch]

8 hours ago, vjcsmoke said:

Looks like Hamilton has won the 2B job.

Also Grissom got optioned out to Triple AAA. This is his last option year.

Unless he develops and is called up later this year, the Red Sox might need to cut bait on their central acquisition from the Chris Sale trade.

I'm optimistic about seeing a future IF of Mayer SS/Campbell 2B. And then later Roman Anthony in RF.

For now the kids will get the most playing time and best development in the minors. But hopefully we get to see them again when rosters expand and maybe they can contribute a little down the stretch.

I think you're reading that wrong, I think Hamilton is our utility guy and Campbell is the favourite for the start at 2nd base, though Mayer is seriously making noise. 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, Old Red said:

Last year was Grissom’s best chance to make the team. This year the chance while still there was not as good, and 2026 will be slim, and none IMO.

I'm not predicting he even wins a back-up role on the 26, this year, or next. I was just pointing out that being out of options, after this year, does give him this full year, the winter and next spring training to win a job on the 2026 roster.

I like Story, Mayer, Campbell and the DHam-Romy platoon more than Grissom, right now, so I'll guess he is traded by next spring. Also, Arias and Romero might be knocking on the door by 2026 or 2027. (Not sure Cespedes can play 2B well enough.)

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Hitch said:

I think you're reading that wrong, I think Hamilton is our utility guy and Campbell is the favourite for the start at 2nd base, though Mayer is seriously making noise. 

I like Mayer and Campbell more, but I think the DHam-Romy platoon is the slight favorite to be the starting 2B choice on opening day. Very slight. Maybe 34% DHam-Romy, 33% Mayer and 33% Campbell.