Henrique: Kristian Campbell skyrockets through Red Sox system to the Opening Day roster

After the Red Sox lost longtime shortstop Xander Bogaerts to the Padres in free agency, Boston was rewarded with a compensatory pick that ended up being Kristian Campbell. Two years later, Campbell is going to the Show and is expected to be the Red Sox starting second baseman who’s ready to build upon the elite performance he produced in the minors.

Campbell, one of the Red Sox “Big 3” prospects, is the only one of the three prospects to make the roster, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. Barring a last-minute change, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony will report to Triple-A Worcester to begin the season.

Infielders David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom, Mayer, and Campbell competed for the Red Sox starting second base job this spring. Hamilton swiftly established himself as the leading contender, Mayer had a strong camp, both offensively and defensively, but will subsequently be optioned to Triple-A Worcester, while Boston closely monitored Campbell's progress.

The versatile Campbell opened Grapefruit League play scuffling at the plate. MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect went 1 for 17 with 12 strikeouts. Even with his slow start at the dish, Campbell maintained his confidence and focus. 

“I feel good in the box. I have a plan,” said Campbell this week. “I think having an approach going into the box and just trying to keep it as simple as possible is the main thing. Even though some things may not go your way, just make sure you don't try to do too much. Keep it as simple as possible.”

Over the past seven to ten games, Campbell has demonstrated his defensive prowess by making numerous diving plays that showcase his range in the field. He also highlighted his strong throwing arm in left field, gunning out Twins’ Byron Buxton in the first inning last week.

This was the second time this week that Campbell displayed his athleticism in the field, making strong plays to help him stand out from the others he’s competing with for second base. He also made two key plays last Monday while playing second base against the Orioles. 

“He did a good job, made some plays. He’s going to get more reps there. He’ll play tomorrow, too. So it feels like he’s getting comfortable,” Cora said to reporters about Campbell following the game. “He put a good swing [on his double] and then the walk. That was good. But I think defensively, today was the first day I was able to see it.”

He strengthened his case to win the job on Saturday, starting at second base for the second straight game, where he made an outstanding diving stop to his right to rob a line drive. In the eighth inning, he belted his first homer of the spring off the Rays pitcher Joy Boyle over the right field fence. 

“That's my alley, usually, [to] the opposite field,” Campbell said. “So it was good to get one that way. Stayed through it good. He was throwing really hard. So he supplied most of that power. But it was a good swing for sure.”

Campbell also hit a home run during the Spring Breakout game, squaring up a ball and driving it over the wall in right-center field.

The team got one last look at Campbell on Sunday when he was in the lineup with other projected starters. Alex Cora told reporters one of the main reasons the young star was in the lineup was to keep up his “momentum.”

“He had some great at-bats yesterday; he played good defense. We’ll play him again,” said Cora.

Campbell closed out the spring going 8-for-48 (.167) with two doubles, eight runs, 10 walks, and 18 strikeouts in 20 Grapefruit League games. 

It’s been quite a rise through the Red Sox system for Campbell, who was a fourth-round pick out of Georgia Tech during the 2023 MLB amateur draft. The 22-year-old’s rapid rise through the Red Sox saw him jump three levels, playing for High-A Greenville, Double-A Portland, and finishing the year with Triple-A Worcester.

He had a small sample size with the WooSox, hitting .286/.412/.486 to go along with two doubles, four home runs, 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored, four stolen bases, 13 walks, and 18 strikeouts over 19 games. In total, he slashed .330/.439/.558 with 20 homers and 24 steals in 115 games. His breakout year resulted in him being named Boston’s Minor League Hitter of the Year and Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year.

“His rise is atypical,” Geoff Pontes wrote in Baseball America. “Since the Prospect Handbook launched in 2001, Campbell is the first Minor League POY who did not rank among his organization’s preseason Top 30. This wasn’t a misevaluation by the entire industry, but rather a testament to Campbell’s work ethic and the advances in Red Sox hitting development.”

The Red Sox could get rewarded if Campbell has an excellent season and wins the American Rookie of the Year. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, if Campbell wins the award or finishes in the top three of MVP voting, the Sox will receive draft pick compensation after the first round in the 2026 amateur draft. 

With Campbell fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a Major League player, he’s not on the brink of a long-term deal, according to MassLive.

“It’s definitely a place I would love to be for a long time, but I try to focus one day at a time and just see where everything goes. It’s a great community to be in, a great place to be in, and I’m excited for whatever comes. It’s definitely a conversation to have and everything. We’ll see where it goes, but, like I said, I really have to communicate with all three of (my agents) and see where it goes.”

Cora had said earlier in the week that the second base competition might not be completely decided before the team leaves for Monterrey. Now, it's irrelevant, as Campbell will start his big league career on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.

“I’m excited. I’m excited for everything,” he said Thursday to reporters. “I’m excited for the season to start. I’m excited for everything that’s going to happen. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve just got to stay focused on playing right now, staying healthy, and getting my reps in so I’ll be ready for the season.

“Everybody has to go through it. This is my first time going through it. I don’t really know what to expect. It’s my first time. I’m gonna be excited either way. It’s been a great camp, learning a lot. I’m happy with all the opportunities I’ve been blessed with throughout this whole camp. And I’m really just looking forward to the season, believe it or not. I’m really just taking it one day at a time because I don’t know. I’m not sure what the whole process is gonna look like.”

Boston will play two exhibition games on Monday and Tuesday in Monterrey, Mexico, against The Sultanes de Monterrey. Richard Fitts, who was named the No.4 starter will start Monday night with southpaw Shane Drohan pitching the series finale.