Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Absent from Wednesday's lineup
Rotowire
Campbell is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
It's a routine day off for Campbell, who had started each of the previous eight contests. David Hamilton will start at second base and bat eighth for the Red Sox in Wednesday's series finale.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: First day off Monday
Rotowire
Campbell is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest against the Blue Jays.
Campbell had started each of the Red Sox's first 10 games this season, including both legs of a doubleheader Sunday, so he will receive a well-earned day off Monday. David Hamilton is handling second base in the series opener versus Toronto.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Steals first career base
Rotowire
Campbell went 1-for-2 with two walks, one RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 13-9 win over the Cardinals.
Campbell made an impact in several ways, including stealing his first career base and scoring in the third inning. The rookie continues to justify the club's confidence in him, hitting .423 with two home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored and a steal in his first 33 major-league plate appearances. While it's a small sample size, the 22-year-old was a 20-20 player in the minors last season and should continue to showcase a blend of power and speed moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Inks eight-year contract extension
Rotowire
The Red Sox signed Campbell to an eight-year, $60 million contract extension Wednesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe relays that the extension contains an $19 million club option for 2033 and a $21 million club option for 2034, so the total value of the deal could reach an even $100 million. The Red Sox locked up Garrett Crochet on a long-term contract earlier this week and now have signed one of their young position players to a contract extension. Campbell, 22, is off to a great start in his major-league career, going 6-for-16 with one home run and a 5:4 K:BB through five games.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Blasts first major-league home run
Rotowire
Campbell started in left field went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a walk in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.
Campbell tied things up for the Red Sox in the fourth inning when he took Jacob Webb deep for a 431-foot solo homer to center. Campbell earned a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster despite struggling in spring training, but he appears to have settled in nicely and has gone 5-for-10 over his first three major-league games. He's made two starts at second base and one start in left field. He'll look to finish the four-game series off strong Sunday against Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Batting sixth in MLB debut
Rotowire
The Red Sox selected Campbell's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports. He'll start at second base and bat sixth in Thursday's season opener versus the Rangers.
The top prospect didn't have a great showing during Grapefruit League play, finishing with a .576 OPS in 59 plate appearances. The Red Sox are convinced he's ready, however, and Campbell boasts five-category fantasy potential if he can hit the ground running.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Earns Opening Day spot
Rotowire
Campbell has earned a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Campbell will crack the team's initial 26-man roster, as expected, likely slotting in as the starting second baseman most games. The 22-year-old is one of Boston's top prospects, and although he batted .167 with 18 strikeouts over 48 at-bats in 20 games during the spring, Campbell will get the nod Thursday. He'll likely cede an occasional start to David Hamilton at second base, but the Red Sox likely wouldn't have Campbell open the season on their major-league roster if they didn't have every intention of giving him an extended run in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Another encouraging day
Rotowire
Campbell started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Tampa Bay.
Campbell started at second base for second straight day, which at this stage of spring training is a positive sign he'll open the season as the team's primary second baseman. In addition to swatting his first Grapefruit League home run, Campbell showed off his glove with a diving stop to snare a liner in the first inning. Another hint that he's won the job is that he'll join the club on its trip to Monterrey, Mexico, for exhibition games Monday and Tuesday, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. Campbell's spring training batting line (.174/.304/.587) doesn't inspire confidence, but those numbers didn't factor much into the decision. Boston manager Alex Cora noted Campbell had been late on fastballs all spring but has shown recent improvement in that area.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Favorite to land second base job
Rotowire
Campbell "appears to be the favorite" to win the Red Sox' second base job, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.
Campbell has struggled for much of the Red Sox' camp, both offensively and defensively, but he has been trending in a good direction lately and looks to have leap-frogged David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom. The top prospect has played both left field and second base this spring but has focused on the keystone lately. Campbell slashed .329/.437/.551 with 19 home runs and 24 steals over 115 games across three minor-league levels in 2024 and has a chance to be a major fantasy contributor right away.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Starts coming in LF
Rotowire
Campbell is starting in left field Tuesday for the third time this spring, compared to one start at second base, Joe Weil of WEEI reports.
Campbell's defense at the keystone is arguably the worst part of his game, and it's noteworthy that the Red Sox seem to be playing him at an easier position (left field) rather than giving him more game reps at second base. Vaughn Grissom has made six starts at second base, while David Hamilton has made three starts and Alex Bregman has yet to feature at the keystone this spring. Campbell's clearest path to playing time would be at second base, as the Red Sox already have a crowded outfield, and prospect Roman Anthony would likely get the nod over Campbell if Boston turned to a top prospect to take on a prominent outfield role. Campbell got his first hit of the spring Monday and is hitting .071 with nine strikeouts and two walks in 16 Grapefruit League plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Starts at second Friday
Rotowire
Campbell started at second base and went 0-for-3 in Friday's spring game against Northeastern University.
Campbell was one of several prospects and minors leaguers dotting Boston's lineup in the team's traditional spring kickoff against the Huskies. He's competing for a starting job at second base, but the Alex Bregman acquisition could influence the decision regarding the starter at the keystone. If Bregman plays third base, then Campbell has a real shot; if Rafael Devers stays at third base, then Bregman is expected to start at second base. That latter scenario means Campbell would likely open the season at Triple-A Worcester.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Working out at keystone exclusively
Rotowire
Campbell said Monday that he's been working out at second base almost exclusively during spring training, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Presumably, that's been at the directive of the Red Sox, which is notable with the team not yet revealing which positions Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers will play this season. Campbell's playing time in the minors in 2024 was split fairly evenly between second base, shortstop and center field, with some third base mixed in. If Campbell wins a starting job this spring, it appears likely to be at second base, which would presumably result in Bregman playing third base and Devers shifting to designated hitter and/or first base.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Plans may change
Rotowire
Boston's acquisition of Alex Bregman could impact Campbell in 2025, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. The prospect had been expected to compete for the starting job at second base prior to Bregman agreeing to a deal. If Bregman is used as the team's primary second baseman, it makes more sense for the Red Sox to have Campbell get regular at-bats at Triple-A Worcester.
The Bregman deal should be finalized in the coming days, at which point, Campbell's role for the upcoming season should become clearer. If the Red Sox slot Bregman at second base, then Campbell could open the season at Triple-A Worcester, where he would get regular plate appearances. That seems more likely than having him stick around as a utility infielder, which would limit his at-bats. Boston has a number of utility infielders that could handle a part-time role, such as David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom or Romy Gonzalez.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: In mix at second base
Rotowire
Campbell will be part of the competition during spring training for the starting job at second base, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Of Boston's top prospects, Campbell has the clearest path to a spot on the the major-league roster because of his defensive versatility. The Red Sox don't have a surefire starter at the keystone at this point, and Campbell will join Vaughn Grissom as the top candidates for the position. Campbell didn't start 2024 as a highly regarded prospect, but he put himself on the radar by slashing .329/.437/.551 with 19 home runs, 24 steals and a 20 percent strikeout rate in 115 games across the top three levels of the minor leagues.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Tweaks shoulder Wednesday
Rotowire
Campbell was removed from Triple-A Worcester's game Wednesday versus Syracuse after feeling a spasm in his left shoulder while running the bases, Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports. He was later diagnosed with left lat soreness, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.
Worcester manager Chad Tracy said he's unsure if Campbell will be able to play Thursday, but the lat injury is considered "very minor" and isn't expected to keep the infield prospect out for the season. The 22-year-old's prospect stock has gained plenty of helium during a banner 2024 campaign in which he's slashed .330/.439/.558 with 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 519 plate appearances across three levels.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Promoted again
Rotowire
The Red Sox promoted Campbell from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Campbell will get his second promotion of the season after opening the campaign at High-A Greenville. The 22-year-old infielder was impressive during his time at Portland, maintaining a 197 wRC+ and .470 wOBA across 251 plate appearances. He's combined to hit 16 home runs and steal 20 bases over 95 games between Portland and Greenville this season.
