The Boston Red Sox have made some quality additions to their roster this offseason, but their 2026 plans could also be impacted by a bounceback season from one of their most talented young players.
In a new article on MLB.com that identified the top bounceback candidate for each team, Ian Browne pointed to Kristian Campbell when it came to the Red Sox.
“After winning the second-base job out of Spring Training, agreeing to an eight-year contract extension less than a week into his MLB career and being named American League Rookie of the Month in April, things went rapidly downhill for Campbell, who spent over half of the season in Triple-A,” Browne wrote.
“But he has the work ethic and talent to make the adjustments necessary to succeed at the highest level. Campbell is playing Winter Ball in Puerto Rico this offseason, working on a new setup in his stance and focusing on playing left field rather than moving around like he did last year.”
As Browne alluded to, Campbell exploded onto the MLB scene in 2025. This came after a dominant 2024 minor league campaign where he slashed .330/ .439/ .558 across three levels, earning Minor League Player of the Year honors from Baseball America and USA Today.
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Drafted in the fourth round out of Georgia Tech in 2023, the 23-year-old made Boston’s Opening Day roster and debuted on March 27. He quickly impressed, reaching base in his first 17 games (the second-longest such streak to start a Red Sox career) and earning AL Rookie of the Month for April with a strong .287/ .388/ .460 line.
The Red Sox rewarded him with an eight-year, $60 million extension in early April. However, struggles emerged in May and June, with a .154 average and defensive issues at second base leading to a mid-June demotion to Triple-A Worcester. In 67 big-league games, he finished with a .223 average, 6 home runs, 21 RBIs, and .664 OPS.
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Back in the minors, Campbell started to regain form, posting solid numbers down the stretch. As of late December 2025, he wrapped up a winter ball stint in Puerto Rico with a .245/ .403/ .367 line over 14 games, showing improved plate discipline and swing adjustments while preparing for a potential MLB role in 2026.
Featured image via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
