FORT MYERS, Fla. — Though Kristian Campbell’s 2026 role appears entirely unsettled, the 23-year-old nonetheless seems more comfortable in spring training than he did a year ago.

Despite — or, perhaps, because of — a wide-open lane the Red Sox presented to Campbell for a spot in their 2025 Opening Day lineup, his first big league spring training proved dizzying. He was eager to make positive impressions and win the second base job, but also overwhelmed by the novelty of being in big league camp and surrounded largely by players he didn’t know.

“I was trying to learn my teammates and they were trying to get to know me. It was just fast,” said Campbell. “There was a lot going on. I always think about that, because I was — not lost — but I was definitely nervous, just trying to understand what was going on around me all the time and trying to get used to all the unfamiliar faces in here, too — just, everybody.

Get Starting Point

A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.

Kristian Campbell said what made his first spring training with the Red Sox last year was getting to know his teammates. This year, he feels more comfortable chatting with veterans such as shortstop Trevor Story (left).Barry Chin/Globe Staff

“This year, I feel like I’m a lot more under control and calm. I know what’s going on around me. I know more people in the locker room this year. It’s a better environment, for sure, for me, personally. I feel a lot more comfortable.”

He is comfortable, too, with uncertainty about his role.

While there’s not an obvious roster fit, Campbell sees a simple equation. His job is to show the talent that made him the Minor League Player of the Year in 2024 while hitting .330/.439/.558 as well as the AL Rookie of the Month in April 2025, rather than the overwhelmed player who couldn’t adapt to big league pitchers in May and June (.159/.243/.222) before the Sox demoted him to Triple A Worcester for the rest of the year.

“The goal is obviously still to make the team and do everything in my power to [do so],” Campbell said. “Obviously, that’s the coaches’ and the staff’s decision, but I’ve just got to continue to get better, train hard every day, and put my best foot forward when we start games.”

But what is his best foot? Or rather, where is it best placed?

Campbell is well-traveled on the field. In two-plus seasons in the Sox organization, he’s spent time at all four infield and all three outfield spots. Does he know where he’s best suited to play?

In his two-plus seasons with the Red Sox, Kristain Campbell has played all three outfield positions.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

“No. No,” he admitted with amusement. “That’s a good thing, though, because that’s how I came up. I never really was stuck at a position. Being open to any position on the field is big. I don’t want to take that away. I always want to have an opportunity for a position when it comes, [because] I love hitting, too.”

Most of Kristian Campbell’s defensive work in Fort Meyers, Fla., has been with the team’s outfielders.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

For now, most of Campbell’s defensive work — including all of his group work — is coming with the team’s outfielders. But he’s still working one-on-one at second (where he’s played the most as a professional) and third base (where he’s played the least) with infield coach José Flores to keep multiple paths open.

“If we get [Campbell’s bat] going, we can find at-bats,” noted manager Alex Cora. “We’ve got to get [the bat] going. That’s the most important thing.”

During the offseason, Kristian Campbell spent time working on opening his closed-off stance in the batter’s box.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Campbell looks different in the box this spring than he did a year ago. Last year, he had one of the most closed-off stances in the big leagues, his left (lead) foot positioned considerably closer to the plate than his back foot, closing him off against inside pitches.

He also held his hands up by his helmet, necessitating significant pre-pitch movement to lower his hands into position for his swing, then leaving him with a long path to pitches at the bottom of the zone. Those moves often left Campbell late on pitches and chopping them into turf.

“Two big movements to try to hit 97 [miles per hour] is not good,” observed Campbell. “[And] I had the [closed stance]. That’s why I couldn’t pull the ball — I was closing myself off and inside-out to the ball.”

This offseason, he worked to lower his hands to shoulder height — shortening the distance he covers in his swing — and squared his stance to create a path to inside pitches. Both during an offseason in Puerto Rico and since coming to Fort Myers at the start of this year, he’s been encouraged by the results.

“It took a lot of work in the offseason to really be [connected in the swing], really get myself going in the right direction, and having an idea of what kind of hitter I want to be,” said Campbell. “I can take advantage of the Green Monster as much as possible. It’s a great feeling for a righty. I should be taking advantage of it more than I did last year — and I know I can.”

Games will offer a measure of what Campbell can do — and whether his 2025 struggles were an aberration or warning sign. Campbell is at peace with the opportunity to prove himself.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot.”

Kristian Campbell arrived Fort Myers, Fla., for his second spring training with the Red Sox feeling more comfortable with his role, expectations, and offseason work.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com. Follow him @alexspeier.