'It's been very special to watch': Sox prospect Campbell named Minor League Player of the Year

WORCESTER — The accolades continue to roll in for Kristian Campbell .

And for good reason.

Just hours after the Boston Red Sox prospect was named the Eastern League MVP for Double-A baseball, Campbell collected the title of Minor League Player of the Year from Baseball America Tuesday afternoon.

Two awards, two times the fun.

“A credit to the person and the player he is,” said Brian Abraham, Red Sox director of player development. “It’s always special to be recognized for the hard work and dedication (a) player puts in on and off the field. The results aren’t always in line with the work, but when they are, like in Kristian’s case, it’s been very special to watch.

“We couldn’t be happier for him to represent the Red Sox and his family with the award.”

After starting the year in High-A Greenville, Campbell quickly rose up the ranks of the Red Sox system.

On June 4, the 22-year-old was promoted to Double-A Portland. In 56 games with the Sea Dogs, the right-handed hitter slashed .362/.463/.582 with 8 home runs, 17 doubles and 3 triples to go along with 35 RBI.

The infielder/outfielder earned three Eastern League honors during his time with the Sea Dogs, and on Tuesday, he was named the Eastern League MVP. Campbell is just the second Sea Dogs player (Kevin Millar, 1997) to earn the honor in franchise history.

“He’s a special player and he’s really fun to watch,” said teammate Roman Anthony, who played with Campbell in both Double A and Triple A this year.

On Aug. 20, Campbell received a promotion to Triple-A Worcester — and didn’t skip a beat during his time in the Canal District.

Campbell compiled a .286 average to go along with 4 HRs, 17 RBIs and 17 runs in 19 games with the WooSox. Although he finished the season on the injured list with a left lat strain, Campbell made his presence felt in Worcester — and across minor league baseball.

“He’s a freak athlete,” said Anthony, who was named the top prospect in baseball just two weeks ago. “(He) plays the game the right way, and he’s a great person on and off the field, and it’s rare that you get a guy like that who can play so many different premium positions and play it at the level that he plays it at while putting up the numbers that he’s put up.

“Credit to him.”

Campbell was selected by the Red Sox in the fourth round (pick No. 132) of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. The 6-foot-3, 191-pound Georgia native played 22 games in the Red Sox system in 2023 for the Florida Complex Red Sox (8 games) and Greenville Drive (14 games) and batted a combined .309.

A year later, after shooting up the farm, Campbell was named Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America .

“Since Kristian has joined the Red Sox, he has embraced our core beliefs as an (organization) and what we value in all phases of the game,” Abraham said. “He has been willing to challenge himself, be vulnerable in the batter’s box and in the field with the ultimate goal of bettering himself to make an impact at the highest levels of the game. He has pushed himself physically, mentally and has shown the ability to overcome, adapt and excel in various training environments and affiliate locations with staff support and (organization) resources along the way.

“His relentlessness to be the best version of himself, while understanding success is not a straight line, exemplifies Red Sox development.”

Campbell, who embarks on an important offseason this winter, is currently ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Red Sox system (and No. 24 overall) according to Baseball America.

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'It's been very special to watch': Sox prospect Campbell named Minor League Player of the Year