Boston Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell talks baseball and family
The Boston Red Sox used pick number 132 in the 2023 MLB Draft on Kristian Cambell. It didn't take him long to create a buzz in the organization and amongst fans and media.
Campbell found himself in High-A for the last few weeks of the season, getting a chance to get acclimated to the level. Then, in Greenville's short (but very successful) championship run, Campbell went 7-for-12 with a double and a home run. The Georgia Tech product played a massive role in helping Greenville win a championship.
It was more of the same for Campbell to start the 2024 season. The right-handed hitting second baseman/centerfielder slashed .309/.418/.558 over his first 40 games in High-A. That prompted a promotion to Double-A.
That buzz wasn't just buzz anymore. It was full-blown, unabashed excitement from Red Sox nation. Campbell immediately made his mark in Double-A. Through his first 12 games, he is 20-for-51 with six doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He's driven in 10 runs, scored 13 more, and stolen two bases.
What is Campbell's take on his 2024 season, though? We caught up with him to learn more about the fastest-rising prospect in the Red Sox system.
Q: You got to High-A at the end of the season and got to be part of the championship run. What was that like for you to get inserted into that?
"It was a good experience overall. It was really cool to help the team win the SAL championship. I know I wasn't there for the whole season but it was fun."
Q: You had that three-run home run in the final game. Was that a big "welcome to professional baseball" moment for you?
"Yeah, 100%. I won't forget it. It was definitely the biggest crowd, coming from college we would get crowds but nothing like that. Something I'll never forget."
Q: You were seen as more of a contact guy heading into this year. In my top 30, I had you as someone with raw power potential but more contact-focused. It felt like SoxProspects and MLB thought the same way. This year, you've certainly brought the power. Is that something you focused on this offseason?
"I was definitely a contact guy in College at Georgia Tech. The goal was just to hit and get on base. It was the dudes behind me that had power. Over the offseason when I got drafted, I'm a bigger guy. 6'3", 210 lbs. They saw that and were like you should not be hitting four home runs in a season, especially with the metal bat.
I only hit four at Georgia Tech that year. So I feel like I always had it in me, but the training had to push it out of me. It's a lot of tough training that I've been through so far and it's pushed me to get ready for the season.
I stayed after the season last year after Greenville to do a program for a month and they kind of got me right during that and got me to where I'm hitting the ball in the air consistently. And it's working so far this season."
Q: What's the biggest adjustment you've had to make in Double-A so far?
"Uhm, man. That's tough. I would say just be ready to hit at all times because the stuff's a lot better than at High-A. Be ready to hit because they're trying to throw strikes. They're trying to get you out, so they aren't playing around too much.
I think that's the main thing, honestly. They aren't trying to play too much so be ready to hit when you get in the box."
Q: A lot has been said about this Portland locker room. A great group of guys and a lot of fun. What's it been like for you?
"It's been fun. I feel like I've known the guys for a long time and I haven't even been here [the organization] for a year yet. I'm cool with a lot of the dudes in the locker room. I heard of some of them when I was younger. We were in some of the same classes, like Marcelo and Blaze. [laughs and points at Marcelo Mayer] Marcelo's right there.
I knew who he was back when I was younger. But this was my first time ... (Marcelo interrupts) YO! [Laughs] ... This was my first time actually meeting him.
So I got some familiar faces but everyone's been cool and it's been a pleasure for sure to play with these guys."
Q: You played third base the game before you got promoted. Did you know you were getting promoted, and is third base part of the plan?
"I did not know I was getting promoted before the game. I kind of found out near the end of the game. People kept hinting at it to me. Like Mikey [Romero] and [Karson] Simas were trying to hint it towards me. I feel like maybe everybody knew besides me.
And third base, really just the versatility thing. I can play every position on the field besides pitcher and catcher. I haven't played first base yet. But if I really really had to I probably could. It's really just versatility. Knowing how to play and being somewhat comfortable at different positions on the baseball field helps a lot.
It's always good to have third base in my back pocket just in case I have to play there one day.
I don't know how much I'll be playing because I mainly play second and centerfield. But if someone goes down, or they just need a third baseman. That was my first time at Greenville playing third base."
Q: No baseball activity allowed. Off-day, what are you doing?
"I'm on the phone a lot. Talking to family and my girlfriend. Eating a lot, because that's the one day I don't have to run around and be in the sun a lot. So I want to eat a lot. Might go to the car wash, I do that on off days a lot. I have a BMW, kinda like Marcelo and them.
I just try to stay inside, stay reserved. Because I'm in the sun six days a week."
Campbell starts talking about his dad:
"He's always on social media. He's just happy, that's my dad for sure. He's been a big part of my life, especially baseball. So he's very happy and everything's going well."
Q: Did he coach you at all?
"[laughs] Bro, he's been my coach my whole life. He's honestly been my main coach my most consistent coach my wholelife. I've had great coaches and everything, but my dad was honestly my first coach for a long period.
This is honestly one of the first times I haven't had him as a coach, like being completely away away from Georgia. Because I went to Georgia Tech, but he was 30 minutes away if I needed something. This is my first time being away, but it's going great so far. I always keep him in the back of my mind, he's always there to talk about anything.
He's been a big part of my life, especially on the baseball side. That was my main coach for literally the majority of my life. I really appreciate him."
Q: Portland Teals or Greenville Black Spinners jerseys?
"Okay, I've never worn the Portland Teals. So I'm going to go with the Black Spinners jerseys. Those are tough. The teals are different. But the Black Spinners got the pinstripes with the black and white that's cool and they fit good and everything. Those are cool."
Follow Hunter on Twitter @Hunter_Noll.
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