Alex Cora Compares Top Red Sox Prospect To Multi-Time All-Star

Alex Cora spent plenty of time this weekend talking about new Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman.

That’s far from the only player Cora discussed Sunday, though. But the Red Sox skipper did find a way to work another former Houston Astros star into the conversation.

Highly touted Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell has stood out to Cora in myriad of ways since spring training began. But it’s when the 22-year-old steps into the batter’s box that he reminds Cora of one of Bregman’s Astros teammates, who now plays in the same division as Boston.

“He’s physical. Just the way he moves, too. It’s different. He’s fast,” Cora told reporters, per team-provided video. “He was standing in left field yesterday and shagging, did a good job with that. And then he goes to second, we’re working on turning double plays. Very smart kid. He gets it right away, makes adjustments on the fly.

“And then during live BP yesterday, he hits the ball hard. Swing decisions are really good. He dominates the strike zone. And he puts the brakes late. Very similar to George Springer. Kind of like, go, go, go and stop. Not too many guys can do that. Most of the time when you make the decision, you swing. That’s probably (why) he doesn’t chase that much.”

That’s certainly high praise from Cora about Campbell, who has yet to swing a bat in the big leagues.

Springer should be a player Campbell strives to become. Springer is a four-time All-Star — three of those appearances came with the Astros and one with the Toronto Blue Jays — and won World Series MVP in 2017.

Campbell is one of the most intriguing players in Red Sox camp. After a meteoric rise last season through Boston’s farm system — his first full season in pro ball — Campbell is ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the sport by Baseball America.

It looked like he had a great shot to win the starting second baseman job, but that could go to Bregman now that he’s aboard with the Red Sox. But the high-end talent of Campbell, who played 25 games in the outfield last season, might make it difficult to keep him off the Opening Day roster.

Campbell will get a chance to show he belongs during spring training and Cora certainly will have a close eye on him.

“He’s going to get a lot of at-bats,” Cora said. “He’s going to get a chance like others.”