Kristian Campbell is starting at second base Friday against the Pirates here at JetBlue Park.

Campbell, Baseball America’s No. 4 overall prospect, will start at second base again Saturday when the Red Sox play the Rays in Port Charlotte.

It’s certainly looking like the 22-year-old will be making his major league debut as the Opening Day second baseman when the Red Sox play the Rangers on March 27 at Globe Life Field. He’s not yet on the 40-man roster.

“We have a pretty good idea of what we’re going to do (at second). We just have to be patient,” manager Alex Cora said Friday at JetBlue Park.

MassLive reported Tuesday that Campbell had emerged as the clear frontrunner to be the Opening Day second baseman. He’s competing with David Hamilton and Marcelo Mayer.

Vaughn Grissom also had been competing for the second base job but Boston optioned him to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Cora said Thursday when discussing Grissom’s demotion, “We haven’t yet made a decision about second base, whatever. But we’re getting close. And he’s not in the equation. He needs to play, too. He needs to go down there and play.”

It’s expected that Hamilton will make the roster as the utility man if he doesn’t win the starting second base job.

“There’s a pretty good chance he’s going to be on the team,” Cora said.

Cora said Campbell will be at second base, Mayer at third base, Nick Sogard at first base and Hamilton at shortstop Saturday against the Rays.

Cora said Sunday’s lineup — Boston’s final Grapefruit League — is to be determined.