Red Sox leaving surging Kristian Campbell in Triple-A makes little sense amid injuries originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While they had a dominant win yesterday, the Boston Red Sox have suffered from the injury over the past couple games, losing some pitchers and their DH, Masataka Yoshida. To replace him, they called up Mickey Gasper, who immediately contributed, hitting his first ever MLB home run for two RBI.
While he did contribute, Boston did have seemingly better options in AAA to call up. One of those options is a former member of the Big Three who burnt out in Kristian Campbell. While he did have a rough start to the year, he’s been one of Worcester’s best hitters since July.
Campbell fizzled out in 2025
Bob DeChiara - Imagn Images
In 2025, Campbell was just like Icarus; flew too close to the sun, and got burned. At the beginning of the season, Campbell was dominant, becoming one of the Red Sox’s best hitters, and seemed like a future star.
Because of that, he was rewarded with an eight-year, $60 million extension. However, it turned out to be a poor move by Boston, as they sent him back to AAA after he was slashing .223/.319/.345/.664 with 10 doubles, six home runs, and 21 RBI in 67 games.
Campbell’s figuring it out
© Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Now, though, it seems like he’s finally fixing himself. Since July 2nd, he’s hitting .363/.473/.560/1.033, and has been a sparkplug in the WooSox’s offense.
He’s brought his season averages up to .253/.381/.361/.742 with 20 doubles, five home runs, and 40 RBI in 95 games. With the hot streak he’s been on, it doesn’t make sense why he wasn’t called up for this small stint while Yoshida was down.
What’s Campbell’s future look like?
Mar 6, 2026; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Kristian Campbell (28) rounds third after hitting a two run home run against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
For the near future, considering his hefty contract, it would be hard for Boston to move him in a trade unless he can continue this newfound production. It’s likely Campbell will stay down in AAA for the rest of the season, bar any injuries occur in the outfield, his new home this season.
As for the overall future, Boston has multiple rental outfielders for depth right now, in guys like Jahmai Jones and Eli White. By next season, Campbell can take their place as the fourth or fifth outfielder for Boston to keep as a depth piece.
Hopefully, Campbell continues to mash, and gets back up to the majors and is ready to contribute.
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