Red Sox to promote infield prospect Kristian Campbell to Double-A Portland after impressive start
The Red Sox remained busy on Sunday promoting prospects within the system, elevating infielder Kristian Campbell to Double-A Portland after an impressive start to the season at High-A Greenville.
The news was first reported by The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.
Campbell is enjoying a strong season at the plate just one year after being drafted out of Georgia Tech last summer. The right-handed hitter batted .306/.418/.558 with 13 doubles, eight home runs, 25 RBIs, 29 runs scored, three stolen bases, 26 walks, and 47 strikeouts over 40 games.
The 21-year-old has been tapping into his power this season at the request of the team. While he was in college, he focused on being more of a singles and doubles hitter. That shift in offensive approach has helped him get to Double-A Portland.
“In college, my approach was just groundballs and line drives, kind of keeping everything low and trying to get on base, trying to run everything out,” said Campbell to Speier. “I shifted my sights this year since I have power. I’m trying to find that. I’m getting more used to it, trying to hit the ball more in the air.”
Campbell has seen time at both second base and center field while in Greenville. The 6-foot-3, 191-pounder hasn’t committed an error at either position.
Boston selected Campbell with the 132nd overall pick as the compensation pick for losing Xander Bogaerts to the Padres in free agency. The Georgia native signed with the Red Sox for $492,700 last July and spent time in the Florida Complex League.
Campbell will join a stacked roster in Portland that still has the likes of Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel, Nick Yorke, Wikelman Gonzalez, and Luis Perales on the roster. Outfield prospect Matthew Lugo was promoted to Triple-A Worcester after leading the team offensively for the last two months.
