Kristian Campbell will break camp with the Crimson Sox, as KPRC 2’s Ari Alexander reviews that the star prospect has been informed he will probably be a part of Boston’s Opening Day roster. A corresponding transfer will probably be made within the coming days to create room for Campbell on the 40-man roster.
Although Campbell’s Grapefruit League efficiency hasn’t been stellar, it was changing into more and more apparent in current days that the Sox had been desperate to see what the 22-year-old can do on the massive league degree. Vaughn Grissom was optioned to Triple-A just a few days in the past, leaving Campbell and David Hamilton because the remaining contenders for the second base job. Whereas the left-handed hitting Hamilton will get some motion towards right-handed pitching, the Crimson Sox absolutely intention for Campbell to get common taking part in time in his first run of motion within the Present.
It has been fairly an increase for Campbell, who was a fourth-round pick of Georgia Tech within the 2023 draft and flew considerably underneath the radar in prospect rankings. He began to draw consideration with some massive numbers in his first yr of professional ball, after which gained even larger discover by being promoted all the way in which up the ladder to Triple-A Worcester by the top of 2024. Campbell hit .330/.439/.558 with 20 homers and 24 steals (in 32 makes an attempt) over 517 mixed plate appearances on the high-A, Double-A, and Triple-A ranges, together with a .898 OPS over his 85 PA with Worcester.
This spring, Campbell was ranked by Baseball America because the fourth-best prospect within the sport, and MLB Pipeline (seventh) and The Athletic’s Keith Legislation (ninth) had equally excessive reward. After his faculty days, Campbell made some adjustments to his method on the plate that remodeled his hitting potential, so this make-up and maturity has impressed evaluators alongside along with his apparent bodily abilities. Campbell has one thing of an uncommon swing that also generate a number of onerous contact to all fields, plus extra energy may nonetheless be unlocked. Campbell is a plus runner and he can play everywhere in the diamond, as he has seen time at second base, third base, shortstop, and all three outfield positions over his minor league profession.
He’ll verify in as Boston’s second baseman in his first journey to the majors, thus maybe filling a place that has been a revolving door at Fenway Park for the previous few seasons. Alex Bregman was initially tapped as the following second baseman when he signed his three-year, $120MM take care of the Sox this winter, but it surely now seems to be like Bregman will play in his normal third base spot now that Rafael Devers (not less than publicly) has okayed the thought of changing into a chosen hitter. As MassLive’s Chris Cotillo put it, “ the Crimson Sox weren’t shifting Rafael Devers to DH for no cause,” so the writing was on the wall that the workforce seen Campbell as a part of its optimum lineup.
With Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer additionally knocking on the door to the majors, the Crimson Sox have an enviable group of star prospects on the way in which up. It stays to be seen if Campbell will stick at second base over the very long time, or if the Sox would possibly reap the benefits of his versatility by making an attempt him out at just a few completely different positions.
As a result of Campbell made not less than two of the top-100 prospect lists compiled by Baseball America, ESPN, and MLB Pipeline, he qualifies as a candidate for the Prospect Promotion Incentive. By beginning on the Opening Day roster and spending the complete season in Boston, Campbell would earn the Sox a bonus draft decide if he wins the Rookie of the 12 months Award, or if he finishes within the high three in MVP voting in his first three seasons.
Photograph courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Photographs
