FORT MYERS -- Who will bat leadoff for the Red Sox in 2015?

Manager John Farrell said Shane Victorino was a candidate to bat first. Seven different players started games in the leadoff position for the Sox last season, led by Brock Holt, with 93 starts. Three other players had 10 more starts at leadoff: Dustin Pedroia 26, Mookie Betts 22, and Grady Sizemore 10.

With Holt out for the last month of the season with concussive symptoms, Betts’ last 20 starts came in the leadoff spot. He posted a .308/.393/.423/.816 slash line in that span, but so far is not assured of a regular job this season. Farrell declared Victorino [if healthy] the starter in right field, and Betts is competing with Rusney Castillo and Jackie Bradley Jr. for the center-field job, with Castillo the apparent favorite.

“Vic is a candidate, but it will be dependent on the opposing pitcher on a given day,’’ Farrell said. “Whether or not Rusney is a guy who evolves into that in time I would say there are other guys ahead of him right now.

“Still, it’s not going to solely be dependent on speed. On-base [capability] is the primary driver.’’