At this level in spring coaching, the beginning second baseman stays a thriller, however Red Sox followers must be able to go alongside for the journey. Carry an open thoughts and a hopefulness that comes from figuring out that the Sox appear poised to get higher contributions from the keystone place than they’ve been in a while. As a substitute of creating assumptions and predictions, which Alex Cora himself has been discouraging, let’s lay out what we all know.
What Do We Know About Second Base in 2026?
We all know quite a bit, even when nothing is about in stone.
The very first thing to know: the Purple Sox have a lot of choices. The 2 major ones are Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer. Durbin came visiting from the Brewers primarily as a 3rd baseman, which is the place Mayer (a pure shortstop) quickly took over throughout Alex Bregman’s absence final season.
Subsequent, Alex Cora hasn’t made any guarantees to anyone. He’s intentionally performed each Durbin and Mayer at second, in addition to at third. He’s challenged Mayer publicly to step up his sport and win a spot on the roster, with out indicating the place that spot might be.
Additionally, the Sox made a long-overdue institutional choice to strengthen their protection in any respect ranges. This resulted in a number of offseason acquisitions of glove-first gamers, relatively than the clear energy bat most anticipated after Bregman’s departure. Clearly there isn’t room for all of those gamers in Boston (and perhaps not even on the minor-league stage), however the Purple Sox have depth choices now that they didn’t beforehand have. The infield is nothing if not deep, and most of those gamers can play different positions.
That segues to accidents. The Purple Sox have already had two that have an effect on the second base place straight: Romy González and new pickup Brendan Rodgers.
The developments up to now for 2026 appear to be protection, versatility, and depth. A head-spinning array of choices is simply how Alex Cora likes it, and a deep bench and Triple-A staff will proactively deal with accidents. The Purple Sox weren’t ready in previous seasons and have been pressured to name up Quad-A gamers far too typically for much too lengthy.
Nicely, we’re unsure but. However that’s okay. As Alex Cora said earlier in spring training: “All people is competing for one thing right here and I feel the roster will dictate what we do.”
He has steadfastly refused to be pinned down concerning the infield, enjoying each Durbin and Mayer at second and third, and saying things like: “It’s not a on condition that [Mayer’s] second baseman or third baseman for this staff.”
The Purple Sox formally haven’t made any choices but, however there are clues all over…or are they purple herrings? And a few of the clues contradict one another. Each Durbin and Mayer are versatile: Mayer is initially a shortstop and coated third base for the Sox when Alex Bregman was injured final season. In that small pattern dimension, he had 3 OAA. Durbin has performed second, third, and quick within the minors however was primarily a 3rd baseman in Milwaukee. Evaluating their time at third base (each comparatively small pattern sizes, as Durbin is just coming into his second 12 months in MLB), Avery Hamel notes that Mayer could be the extra agile fielder, which may give him an edge at getting the job at second base.
Romy González is injured, so we’ll put him apart for now. Search for him to return to his spot on the bench and to doing his share of mashing lefties when he’s prepared.
For a short while, it seemed as if Isiah Kiner-Falefa could be the beginning second baseman, or no less than platoon with González. Durbin’s arrival has modified the infield equation, and that’s to Izzy’s liking. He embraces his role as a super utility player and desires to be among the many greatest there may be in 2026. He’ll spend time at second, third, and quick.
Andruw Monasterio is one other Swiss Military knife, however his major positions are second and third base. He’s had a great spring and sure positioned himself to take Romy Gonzalez’s spot on the bench, particularly since he hit lefties properly in 68 video games with the Brewers. If not, he’ll spend vital time in Worcester, engaged on his pop—which hasn’t been an issue in any respect in spring coaching. If he goes to Worcester, he’ll be a spot call-up, and also will assist in creating minor league gamers like Mikey Romero.
Although his major positions are outfield and third base, don’t be stunned to see Nate Eaton slot in sometimes at second. There’s no denying his pace, versatility, and the best way he contributed down the stretch in 2025.
Minor League Depth and Different Choices
It’s exhausting to know if Nick Sogard will win a spot on the bench or start the season in Worcester. With Monasterio’s sizzling spring, Worcester appears most definitely for Sogard, however count on to see him as a callup at second base as wanted.
Mickey Gasper is one other utility man, a swap hitter who’s primarily a catcher however who has performed second base in a handful of video games on the MLB stage. He’s had a great spring. Search for Cora to make use of his versatility with the glove and bat infrequently, however he’ll principally be stationed in Worcester.
Anthony Seigler is yet one more latest arrival who may play second or third. Craig Breslow has had only good things to say about Seigler, who carried out properly in Triple A final season for the Brewers.
Claimed off waivers as a glove-first man, Tsung-Che Cheng is one other insurance coverage coverage at varied positions, together with second base. He’s presently representing Chinese language Taipei within the World Baseball Basic and got here off the bench of their solely sport. With all the choices the Purple Sox have obtainable, Cheng will begin 2026 in Worcester.
Vinny Capra is one other versatile infielder who can play second, third, and quick. He’s a glove-first participant who doesn’t hit. He’ll assist with creating younger minor leaguers however gained’t see a lot (or any) time on the big-league stage.
Though Cora praised Brendan Rodgers’ protection and expressed hope that he’d unlock some offense, the often injured Rodgers will nearly definitely require surgical procedure on his shoulder after a spring coaching dive went unsuitable. His future for the 2026 season, not to mention on the MLB stage, is unsure at greatest. He signed a one-year contract with the Purple Sox, and should by no means play for them outdoors of spring coaching.
The identical theme emerges: versatile gamers who can play a number of positions. Mikey Romero and Franklin Arias appear to be the way forward for the infield in a technique or one other. Romero performs second, third, and quick. Although he’ll in all probability begin the season in Triple A, he’s prone to see a callup in 2026 as one other utility infielder. Arias is primarily a shortstop who sometimes handles second base. We gained’t see him this 12 months, however he’s prone to anchor the Purple Sox infield indirectly down the road.
Who Undoubtedly Received’t Play Second Base?
It’s helpful to contemplate who gained’t play second. Not solely is that this class simpler to foretell, however it’s additionally useful to see the trail the Sox have traveled to reach at some extent of much-needed depth.
The numerous second-base choices at this level are partly a testomony to kicking the tires in spring coaching, and in addition to Alex Cora’s devotion to transferring gamers round and making aggressive strikes with matchups. However these Not Second Basemen are price noting:
- Fortunately, David Hamilton has returned to Milwaukee from whence he got here, eradicating Cora’s deep and abiding temptation to get him into the lineup.
- We are able to additionally count on to not see Ceddanne Rafaela at second in 2026. Though this promise was made early within the offseason, it grew to become a chance once more after Alex Bregman decamped to Chicago. Nevertheless, the entrance workplace has labored exhausting to herald wanted depth. With the amount of infielders and utility gamers who’ve arrived, Rafaela ought to keep firmly in heart subject the place he belongs, and the place he may also help the staff most.
- Much less confidently, Kristian Campbell may be added to this checklist. After 2025, Campbell has most likely converted into an outfielder/first baseman. He seemed awkward at second, and the experiment in the end affected his play and confidence. The Sox could have realized a lesson about fast promotions and asking an excessive amount of of a participant, a really younger one at that.
We don’t want a desk to know that not a single one in every of these gamers are so-called huge bats. They’re glove-first, which can convey its personal rewards like cleanly fielding all the bottom balls generated by Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, Sonny Grey, and Brayan Bello. Durbin persistently will get on base, so it doesn’t matter what place he performs, search for him to try this and get pushed house. Mayer has but to show what he’s able to offensively. It’s nonetheless too early in his profession to make any predictions there.
Don’t assume the Purple Sox have misplaced pace at second with Hamilton’s departure and González’s damage. Spring coaching has introduced stories about Mayer’s pace, and Durbin is very regarded for his pace however much more for his baserunning smarts. Eaton’s pace is a recognized amount, ought to he get time at second (and is a lock to steal bases regardless of the place he performs). Given the probably roster make-up, search for an elevated emphasis on manufacturing runs: out of Durbin’s singles, stolen bases, and turning on the pace to stretch out base hits.
There’s been lots of turnover at second base within the AL East since October; probably solely Jazz Chisholm, Jr. of the Yankees will look acquainted as a daily. Jackson Holliday broke his hamate bone in spring coaching, so the Orioles will depend on depth to start out the season. Just like the Purple Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays additionally discover themselves contemplating a number of choices, partly due to Ernie Clement’s red-hot 2025 postseason. Andrés Giménez, the first second baseman final season, and Davis Schneider are within the combine too. Gavin Lux, offseason addition to the Tampa Bay Rays, is predicted to be the first second baseman as they return to Tropicana Area, however the staff has taken a gradual method with him throughout spring coaching because of higher physique soreness, so it’s tough to say. He could share time with Richie Palacios. With all these unknowns, together with for the Purple Sox after all, it’s inconceivable to try any rankings at this level. Let’s put in a pin it for now and circle again later, after the Sox infield settles into some type of groove.
Second base has gone from being a black gap in 2025 to the good unknown, and it’s thrilling. Let’s go.
