It turns out exaggerated Kristian Campbell-Barry Bonds comparisons aren't that crazy
Kristian Campbell has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the Boston Red Sox farm system since he was drafted in 2023.
The fourth-round pick has already made it to Triple-A after 125 games with the Red Sox organization. His rapid ascension has earned him national attention as Baseball America's 99th-best prospect in the game. He's also been referred to as "Barry Bonds" by his teammates.
Roman Anthony shared the moniker with Christopher Smith of MassLive, and said Campbell's hitting prowess is worthy of such a title. The infielder has played just seven games in Triple-A, but Anthony's nickname may be accurate.
Campbell is slashing .345/.441/.690 with a 1.131 OPS early in his tenure with the WooSox. He's collected 10 hits, one double and three homers, and has walked more than he's struck out. He crushed his latest homer on Aug. 27 — a 431-foot bomb to left-center field at Polar Park.
Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell's offense worthy of 'Barry Bonds' nickname
Some MLB scouts who saw Campbell play in the Eastern League recently suggested he's the top prospect in the Red Sox organization. Members of Red Sox Nation have argued he's played his way into a spot among the "Big Three" prospects in the pool. Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel had been the biggest names in Boston's prospect pool before, but Campbell's breakout season may have turned them into the "Big Four."
The 22-year-old infielder is slashing .339/.444/.581 with a 1.025 OPS across three levels this year and shows no sign of slowing down. If he maintains his torrid offensive pace for the rest of the season, Sox fans could see the Campbell in Boston sooner than expected.