Why Kristian Campbell Could Make Immediate Red Sox Impact In 2025

Before the start of the 2025 season, NESN.com is evaluating several noteworthy prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization, using insight and analysis from industry experts to gauge each player’s outlook for the upcoming campaign. First up: Kristian Campbell.

The Red Sox have built a tremendous farm system, particularly with impact position players. The franchise propped up their future with the “Big Three” prospect trio of Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel. And in that rise, most people hadn’t yet heard of Kristian Campbell.

Well, Boston traded Teel in an offseason package to acquire Garrett Crochet. Campbell played his way into national prominence and rightfully took the hole in the Boston prospect rock band.

There might not be a more important player on the precipice of his debut for the Red Sox. Campbell’s meteoric rise came as a wonderful surprise for Boston, and the Red Sox could benefit from his development at the major-league level in 2025.

Background
Campbell stayed local for college in his home area of Atlanta, Ga., at Georgia Tech. He took some time to adjust to the student-athlete balance of the college game. Campbell took the chance to grow in the summer of 2022 with the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League.

“I think that’s where he found himself,” Georgia Tech head coach Danny Hall told NESN.com. “He became real confident again.”

“He kind of just does have an infectious personality,” Georgia Tech assistant coach James Ramsey told NESN.com. “He embodies joy every day on the baseball field. He works hard, and he’s tough on himself. He’s his toughest critic. He just loves being out on a baseball field. I think that actually isn’t overlooked today with the college game.”

Campbell posted a .932 OPS that summer and returned to Georgia Tech refreshed with new confidence and an enhanced ability at the plate. He became a star during the 2023 season when he hit .376. His production and mentality rubbed off across the program.

“He stuck right in the ACC and was arguably one of the best hitters right away,” Ramsey said. “He’s one of the most consistent hitters I’ve ever coached. Good, bad and different, he showed up and got five chances, he’s going to put five good at-bats. He was consistently confirming our highest expectations for him.”

The Red Sox eventually selected Campbell in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Boston made the selection with the compensatory pick the team gained when two-time World Series champion Xander Bogaerts departed for the San Diego Padres on an 11-year deal in free agency.

Scouting Report
Campbell consistently showed elite bat-to-ball skills in his developmental years and was reliable defensively. The Red Sox needed to see physical maturity, with him growing into his frame, and more power at the plate.

“Talking to people around spring training, you started hearing, ‘Hey, this guy might be really good,’ ” Ian Cundall, director of scouting for SoxProspects.com, told NESN.com. “When you saw him on the field, the first thing that jumped out was his athleticism and size. … You look at a guy his size and say, ‘How does a guy this big hit three home runs (in college)?’ “

Campbell committed to the grind to better his body and find mechanical improvements that would grow his offensive prowess. Soon, he became the best version of himself.

“A ton of credit to his versatility,” Red Sox senior director of player development Brian Abraham told NESN.com. “Whether it be outfield or infield, we moved him around a lot, quite frankly, last year. I think that versatility stands out first. Credit to the player.”

The Red Sox saw growth and then some in 2024, when Campbell took the minor leagues by storm as one of the more accomplished players. He posted a .997 OPS, found his power with 20 home runs and rose through three levels with High-A Greenville, Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.

“He probably made one of the more remarkable jumps from the amateur rankings to his first full year as a professional,” Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes told NESN.com. “I think you look at a guy with really good bat-to-ball skills. Really strong plate approach. That was always there. Ability to play multiple positions. Pretty tooled up. Not a small guy, but was extremely a contact hitter vs. a power guy at Georgia Tech.”

Campbell rose in the blink of an eye — from a solid talent to the elite class of the farm system — thanks to his own work ethic and organizational philosophies the Red Sox instilled in the player.

“He embodies joy every day on the baseball field.”

Georgia Tech assistant coach James Ramsey on Kristian Campbell

“He’s kind of the perfect example of what the Red Sox are trying to do player development-wise and the advancements they’ve made blending technology, sports science and normal on-field development,” Cundall said. “He had that baseball IQ to make the necessary changes and carry it over on the field.”

Most-likely outcome: Reliable infielder.

The consensus on Campbell is the Red Sox are best suited playing him at second base, both in 2025 and in the long term. He’s taken reps in center field and left field throughout the minor leagues, as well.

Campbell surprisingly got Hall’s attention in center field during fall ball at Georgia Tech, though the thought remains his most consistent and advantageous spot is second base.

Best-case scenario: All-Star.

Campbell should hit at a higher level than most rookies in their early months. His ability to make contact, avoid strikeouts and tap into his power give him the potential to become a premier player, perhaps sooner rather than later.

Fenway forecast
Campbell should be on Boston’s Opening Day roster this season. He gives the Red Sox flexibility and stability at second base they haven’t had since Dustin Pedroia.

If for some reason Campbell returns to Triple-A Worcester to start the season, be ready for his call-up just weeks into the 2025 campaign.

“It’s really exciting to see him battling for a spot on the major-league club,” Abraham said. “If not, I know he’s not going to stop if that’s the case. We’re talking about a kid who continues to make strides, believes in himself and believes in the work he’s putting in.”

SoxProspects ranking: No. 2
Campbell will stay in this spot since both him and No. 1 prospect Roman Anthony are due for MLB promotions early in the season.