With spring training winding down, the Boston Red Sox have less than two weeks to finalize their 26-man roster for the Opening Day series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.
Like many teams emerging from a long offseason, the Red Sox are dealing with some unexpected injuries that could create opportunities for players on the bubble. A few position battles remain unresolved, and while some players have stood out with impressive springs, others have faded into the background.
Here’s a look at two players who have boosted their stock and could surprisingly crack the Opening Day roster — and two who might fall just short, at least for now.
2 Red Sox who’ve played their way onto the Opening Day roster
Trayce Thompson – OF
Trayce Thompson has been the breakout story of Red Sox camp this spring. Signed to a minor-league deal in mid-February to provide right-handed outfield depth, Thompson has more than made his case for an Opening Day roster spot.
Through 13 Grapefruit League games, he’s posted an eye-popping .346/.514/1.115 slash line with a 1.629 OPS, while leading the team with six home runs. With Wilyer Abreu only recently returning to action and uncertainty surrounding Masataka Yoshida, who could start the season on the injured list, Thompson now finds himself in prime position to claim one of the potential openings in the outfield.
Nick Sogard – INF
Nick Sogard has been a consistent presence in the Red Sox’s spring training lineups, giving him ample opportunity to make an impression at the plate. The infielder has emerged as a strong contender in Boston’s infield battles — and if Alex Bregman locks down third base, Sogard could find himself in the mix for the starting second base job.
So far this spring, Sogard is slashing .270/.372/.486 with two doubles, two home runs, and six RBIs over 17 games. His ability to play second base, third base, and shortstop makes him an appealing, versatile option for the Red Sox bench, providing insurance in case of injuries or other roster shuffles.
2 Red Sox who’ve played their way off the Opening Day roster
Kristian Campbell – INF/OF
Kristian Campbell entered spring training as a popular pick to claim the Red Sox’s Opening Day second base job, but his performance has fallen short of expectations. Still, there’s plenty of time for the 22-year-old to develop, as he has just 19 games of Triple-A experience under his belt.
So far this spring, Campbell is hitting .167/.286/.200 with 12 strikeouts in 13 appearances. Additionally, reports suggest his defense isn’t quite ready for a full-time MLB role, making it unlikely the Red Sox will start his service clock just yet. However, with more seasoning both at the plate and in the field, Campbell still has a strong shot to contribute at the big-league level later this season.
Spring training is closing in, and the Boston Red Sox have just under two weeks to decide which 26 players will make the trip to Arlington, Texas, for their opening series against the Rangers.
As every team does after a long offseason, the Sox are dealing with some unforeseen injuries that may open roster spots for unexpected players. They still have some position battles to decide, as well, and some surprising names have made a great impression, while others have blended in with the pack.
Here are two players whose excellent spring training performances could earn them a surprising spot on the Opening Day roster, and two players we think will miss out (at least, for now.)
2 Red Sox who’ve played their way onto the Opening Day roster
Trayce Thompson – OF
Trayce Thompson has been the shock of spring training so far. The Red Sox signed him to a minor-league deal in mid-February to bring in some right-handed outfield depth, and he’s certainly earned consideration for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Thompson is batting .346/.514/1.115 with a 1.629 OPS and a team-leading six homers in 13 Grapefruit League appearances so far. Wilyer Abreu was only just cleared to partake in spring training games with two weeks until the season begins, and there are rumors that Masataka Yoshida may begin the season on the injured list, which could open two spots in the outfield for Thompson to earn a role on the Opening Day squad.
Nick Sogard – INF
Nick Sogard has been a staple of Red Sox spring training lineups so far, which has given him The infielder has played his way to the front of the line in the Sox’s infield position battles — if Alex Bregman gets the nod at third, Sogard could earn Boston’s second base job.
Sogard is batting .270/.372/.486 with two doubles, two homers and six RBI in 17 games. He has recent experience playing at second base, third base and shortstop, so he could be a solid, versatile option on the Sox’s bench in case injuries or other unforeseen circumstances occur in the infield.
2 Red Sox who’ve played their way off the Opening Day roster
Kristian Campbell – INF/OF
Kristian Campbell was initially at the top of many experts’ lists of potential Opening Day second basemen for the Red Sox. He hasn’t posted the spring training many fans and reporters expected, though, and that’s okay — Campbell is just 22 years old with only 19 games of Triple-A experience.
The young righty is batting .167/.286/.200 with 12 strikeouts over 13 appearances. Reports have also stated that his defense is slightly behind where it needs to be to justify giving him the starting second base job and sacrificing a year of his contract (subscription required). It takes some players a while to warm up at the plate and more training at second base could easily solve his defensive issues, so there’s still a great chance for Sox fans to see Campbell in the big leagues at some point this year.
Josh Winckowski – RP
Josh Winckowski was a key contributor for the Red Sox in 2023, appearing in 40 games as both a reliever and spot starter. However, even with injuries affecting Boston’s rotation this spring, Winckowski could find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to the Opening Day roster.
After an impressive 2.88 ERA over 84.1 innings in 2023, Winckowski struggled to find consistency last season, finishing with a 4.14 ERA across 76 innings. His spring training hasn’t helped his case either, as he’s surrendered 10 runs over just five innings. With Boston’s bullpen bolstered by offseason additions and emerging young arms, Winckowski may start the 2025 campaign in Triple-A to refine his game before getting another shot at the majors.