The Boston Red Sox entered the 2024-25 offseason in need of a right-handed bat to diversify their left-hand-dominant batting order.
Top prospect Kristian Campbell emerged as an option after his outstanding second season in the Red Sox's farm system. His .330/.439/.558 and .997 OPS earned him national recognition and multiple Minor League Player of the Year awards. But the 22-year-old has been even better than expected in the major leagues.
Campbell is slashing .313/.420/.515 with a .935 OPS through his first 28 games. He's knocked eight doubles, tied for second most on the team, four homers, the third most among Red Sox, and posted 12 RBI. He owned a .412 on-base percentage through the first 30 games of the season, which, according to J. P. Long, is the third highest in Red Sox history for a player under the age of 23. The two highest metrics are both owned by Ted Williams.
Ranking alongside Williams in Red Sox history books is a feat in and of itself, but Campbell supplanted him in another category. His 17-game on-base streak to start his big league career is the second-longest in Boston's history, unseating Williams' 15-game streak from before he turned 23.
Kristian Campbell's spot in AL Rookie of the Year race taking shape with latest piece of Red Sox history
He's also bounced back from (rare) adversity quickly. Campbell went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts against the Mariners' pitching staff on April 24, and he's clocked seven hits, including three doubles and a homer, in the four games since the golden sombrero.
Campbell's Opening Day roster spot has made the Red Sox front office look like geniuses. The infielder/outfielder struggled on both sides of the ball during spring training, with a .167/.305/.271 slash line and questionable scouting reports on his defense. But the rookie who began his 2024 season in High-A has been a critical bat in Boston's lineup.
It's still early, but Campbell seems like a lock in the American League Rookie of the Year race. In an April 30 post from ESPN, Campbell ranks second in the odds behind the A's Jacob Wilson (.321/.333/.459 over 28 games). Top Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony is also a contender in the race, despite still being in Triple-A.
It's also early in Campbell's career, but the Red Sox must be thrilled they signed him to an eight-year, $60 million deal when he had just five big league games under his belt. Campbell's value has already increased, and if they hadn't signed him, it would've skyrocketed with his potential placement as an AL ROY finalist.