The Boston Red Sox didn't add a first baseman at the trade deadline, and lucked out when the Washington Nationals designated Nathaniel Lowe for assignment on August 14. Boston signed the veteran two days later to bring years of experience to its first base slot.
Lowe is having a down year at the plate (.216/.292/.373 slash line over 119 games), but he's formerly a top first baseman in the American League, and he won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023. Lowe has more experience at first base — and in general — than Abraham Toro, and two of the Sox's other young first base options.
The Red Sox have played both Kristian Campbell and top outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia at first base in preparation for a potential role there down the stretch. Neither had any professional experience at the corner before the Sox began giving them reps there this year, and Garcia has played just one game at first base so far.
Red Sox signing full-time first baseman Nathaniel Lowe could bring an end to Kristian Campbell, Jhostynxon Garcia first base experiments
It seems the Red Sox haven't been pushing to get Campbell back to the big leagues. The 23-year-old has been on a tear at the plate since mid-July, and he's slashing .274/.396/.433 with an .829 OPS over 45 games in Triple-A. Alex Cora said on August 15 that Campbell still has work to do in the minor leagues and suggested a promotion isn't coming anytime soon, barring any emergencies.
Garcia has no big league experience and not nearly enough time at first base to be called up to play there. Boston's outfield is so packed he almost definitely doesn't fit in there, either — Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Rob Refsndyer all need playing time in the pastures. Garcia's bat could be a huge boost to the Red Sox during their playoff push, though. Boston's No. 3 prospect is slashing .308/.372/.573 with a .945 OPS and 56 RBI over 65 games with the WooSox.
No matter how well Campbell and Garcia are swinging, Lowe is the better option at first base. Despite his down year, he brings a bit of power and years of experience to the Sox's lineup, and if his history is any indication, he could turn it around at the plate.