Kristian Campbell's 2024 breakout complicates Red Sox future infield situation

While 2024 may have been a disappointment at the major league level for the Red Sox, the same could not be said for the team’s farm system.

Several top Red Sox prospects broke out in 2024, like Roman Anthony, who finished 2024 as Baseball America’s No.1 prospect. Other top prospects, Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel, also made huge strides, finishing in the top 25 for MLB’s top 100 rankings (with Mayer ranked seventh and Teel listed as 25.) However, despite their great progressions, Red Sox infield prospect Kristian Campbell stole the show with his meteoric rise in 2024, catapulting him into the limelight entering the 2024 offseason.

Before the 2024 season, Campbell was a relativity-unknown prospect. Campbell, a fourth-round compensation pick for Xander Bogaerts leaving for San Diego, was not highly touted, only being ranked as the 30th-best Red Sox prospect by MLB Pipeline. However, his performance in 2024 drastically changed things, as he had a slash line of .330/.439/.558/.997 to go along with 20 home runs across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. He posted a 197 wRC+ with Double-A Portland.

Campbell won several awards for his breakout performance. He was named the MiLB Hitting Prospect of the Year, MiLB Breakout Player of the Year, and was announced as Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year. Additionally, Campbell surged in both Baseball America’s and MLB Pipeline’s rankings, finishing the year as the 24th-best in Baseball America’s rankings and 10th-best in MLB Pipeline’s. 

Kristian Campbell's breakout season contributes to Red Sox's infield logjam

Naturally, Campbell's breakout campaign muddies the waters regarding the Red Sox infield in 2025 and beyond. While Campbell is expected to be assigned to Triple-A Worcester at the beginning of next season, he will likely command a promotion to the big league club sometime in 2025. He produced a .898 OPS and a wRC+ of 139 in 22 games in Worcester last season — a small sample size, but still noteworthy. Thus, this winter could be challenging for Craig Breslow and Co. With Trevor Story's return and Mayer's expected debut in 2025. There is little room for Campbell on the roster. 

One potential solution to this infield logjam could be packaging either Mayer or Campbell in a trade for pitching. It is no secret that the Red Sox are in desperate need of starting pitching, and with rumors swirling that they could be in play for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet, a package involving either Mayer or Campbell could tempt Chicago into a deal.

Another possibility could be making Rafael Devers a primary DH, opening up third base, and allowing one of Mayer or Campbell to become the team's primary third basemen moving forward. A move like this would enable the Red Sox to keep Story at shortstop while also opening up second base for either Mayer or Campbell. 

Regardless of what's been suggested, Breslow will ultimately be the one to solve the puzzle that will be the Red Sox infield in the near future. Therefore, it should not shock Red Sox fans if Breslow ends up dealing either Campbell or Mayer for premier starting pitching this offseason.

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