Over the previous 4 years Rob Refsnyder has crammed a invaluable position as a lefty-killing outfielder off the bench, and his departure in free company has left the Pink Sox with out an apparent alternative.
However requested on Monday how they might fill Refsnyder’s outdated position, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow recognized two potential candidates, singling out one specifically.
“Nate Eaton is one who involves thoughts and did a very nice job for us,” Breslow stated. “The profile might be a bit bit totally different than Ref by way of Eaton’s recreation being constructed on protection and velocity, however he additionally did contribute particularly in opposition to left-handed pitching.
“And Kristian (Campbell) is somebody who has gotten time within the offseason within the outfield and appears actually good bodily, so we’ll need to get a take a look at him and provides him an opportunity to point out what acquired everyone so enthusiastic about him in ’24 and originally of ’25,” Breslow continued. “So I believe we do have choices and we’ll proceed to discover what is likely to be accessible from outdoors the group as effectively.”
Initially introduced in on a minor league deal after the 2024 season, Eaton spent a lot of the first half of 2025 in Triple-A earlier than steadily incomes extra huge league alternatives because the 12 months went on. By September he was getting common taking part in time, finally batting .370 with an .898 OPS over the ultimate month.
Although Eaton made probably the most of his taking part in time, he carried out higher in opposition to righties (.316 common, .797 OPS) than he did in opposition to lefties (.279, .673). He may also play within the infield and is predicted to be amongst a variety of candidates for a spot on the massive league bench.
On paper Campbell appears much less suited to bench responsibility provided that he’s nonetheless solely 23 and is at a stage in his improvement the place he may benefit from common taking part in time. His platoon splits in each the majors and minors have additionally been pretty impartial all through his profession, although Breslow stated in the event that they felt having Campbell come off the bench was greatest for the group, they wouldn’t rule the chance out.
“I believe we’re going to do what’s greatest for the group and the ’26 main league group and likewise what’s greatest for Kristian,” Breslow stated. “And if these overlap then that’s the best end result and in the event that they don’t we’ll have to determine how we need to prioritize issues.”
