On March 23, MLB insider Ari Alexander reported that top prospect Kristian Campbell made the Boston Red Sox's Opening Day roster.
The news came as a shock to some fans, as he's only spent two seasons in Boston's farm system and he didn't post the greatest spring training. Campbell slashed .167/.305/.271 with 18 strikeouts, 10 walks and eight hits over 20 games in the Grapefruit League.
But ever since Alexander reported that Campbell made the team, the 22-year-old has returned to his 2024 self. He showed out in Boston's March 24-25 exhibition series against the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican Pacific League.
Campbell went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI in the first of the two games and 1-for-4 with two runs in the second. His lone hit of the latter game was a no-doubt homer, crushed over 400 feet to dead center field at Estadio Mobil Super.
Kristian Campbell trending up after announcement that he made Red Sox Opening Day roster
"Since he made the team, he's not making any outs!"
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 25, 2025
Kristian Campbell (MLB's No. 7 prospect) wallops a two-run homer for the @RedSox during exhibition play in Mexico: pic.twitter.com/4yLi33TPAQ
Campbell entered spring training as a top option for the Sox's second base job, which has been up for grabs almost yearly since Dustin Pedroia's retirement. His lower-than-expected offensive production and rough defense initially had some reporters and fans believing he wouldn't make the Opening Day squad, but the Red Sox will trust in Campbell's skills.
The young infielder rapidly ascended through three levels of Boston's farm system last year, and raked all along the way. He batted .330/.439/.558 with a .997 OPS last season, beginning in High-A Greenville and ending with 19 games with Triple-A Worcester.
Campbell played plenty of second base during his tenure at Georgia Tech, but didn't get as many reps there in the Sox's farm system. Still, the Red Sox believe enough in his athleticism and that he'll grow into the role with time. How long that will take remains to be seen, but with Trevor Story at shortstop and Alex Bregman at third base, Boston's defense can account for a little adjustment time.
Campbell is also a right-handed bat, which the Red Sox desperately need after last year's poor performance against lefty pitchers. Bregman, Story and Campbell add three righty bats Boston didn't have last year to up their success against lefty pitchers and make good use of the Green Monster.
It's great to see Campbell trending up at the right time. He met the moment in the Monterrey series and, hopefully, he can do so again against Nathan Eovaldi on Opening Day and beyond.