"I like Kristian Campbell and want him to succeed. But I am totally convinced that, if he does, it won't be at second base. Is it harsh to say that he was arguably the worst defensive middle infielder I'd ever seen last season? Maybe I'm still haunted by the routine double play that he flubbed against the Yankees, when he broke the wrong way on a ground ball that was hit just a few feet to his left."
"The Red Sox brass seemed to agree with my assessment. He barely stepped foot on the infield grass after his demotion to Worcester and played exclusively in the outfield during winter ball, amongst a lot of chatter that he would focus on left field going forward. But here we are approaching Truck Day, and there are reports that Campbell has been in Fort Myers for weeks, "doing defensive work at second base and in the outfield.""
Kristian Campbell showed conspicuous defensive struggles at second base last season, including a routine double play flub against the Yankees when he broke the wrong way on a slow grounder. The Red Sox limited his infield time after demotion to Worcester and he played exclusively in the outfield during winter ball amid talk of permanently moving him to left field. Recent reports indicate Campbell has been in Fort Myers for weeks doing defensive work at both second base and the outfield. If Campbell can become at least an average big league infielder, he would immediately address roster needs and, paired with Marcelo Mayer, could secure the team's double-play partnership for years. Skepticism remains about whether he can actually succeed at second base given prior defensive lapses.
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