Kristian Campbell Named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year for 2024
When the 2024 season began, Kristian Campbell was not regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects. Since, he has ascended prospect lists and is now considered an important piece of the Boston Red Sox’ future. The Red Sox’ No. 3 and the sport’s No. 25 prospect according to Baseball America
When the 2024 season began, Kristian Campbell was not regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects. Since, he has ascended prospect lists and is now considered an important piece of the Boston Red Sox’ future.
The Red Sox’ No. 3 and the sport’s No. 25 prospect according to Baseball America was named the publication’s Minor League Player of the Year for 2024 on September 24. In 115 games across three levels this season, Campbell hit .330/.439/.558 with 20 home runs, 32 doubles, and 94 runs scored.
"He is going to be a fan favorite,” Red Sox Director of Player Development Brian Abraham said in June before Campbell’s promotion to Worcester. “He probably hits the ball harder than anyone in Minor League Baseball and hits the ball harder than a lot of our big leaguers.”
Selected by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Campbell played just 45 games at Georgia Tech, hitting .376 with 21 extra-base hits and 50 runs scored in his only collegiate season. Standing 6’3” and weighing 203 pounds as a red-shirt freshman, Campbell was a raw prospect budding with potential heading into the MLB Draft.
Graded by scouts as an infielder with average raw power and speed that didn’t always show in games, the Red Sox hoped to further develop his talent and translate it into on-field success. During his first taste of professional action, the Sox saw some early success as Campbell posted a .911 OPS in 22 games between the Rookie and High-A levels.
After a full offseason of training, the Chattanooga, Tennessee native hit the ground running in 2024.
Starting his year with High-A Greenville, Campbell recorded a .976 OPS in 40 games before earning a promotion to Double-A Portland. The Georgia Tech product quickly adjusted to the higher-level pitching, beginning his Sea Dogs career by tallying 14 hits during an eight-game hitting streak.
Over the next 48 games, Campbell’s bat stayed white hot. While playing four different positions, the top prospect slashed .362/.463/.582 with 17 stolen bases and 28 extra-base hits.
By this time, Campbell’s play had garnered him national recognition. The utility man was awarded Eastern League Player of the Week twice and earned Player of the Month honors for both the South Atlantic League (May) and Eastern League (June).
When he was promoted to Double-A in early June, Campbell joined the rest of the Red Sox’ top four prospects––Roman Anthony (No.1), Marcelo Mayer (No. 2), and Kyle Teel (No. 4)––on a Sea Dogs team that may have been the most tantalizing in Minor League Baseball. Before Campbell’s arrival, Portland was 28-23 entering June 4’s slate of games. After his addition to the lineup, the Sea Dogs went 33-22 in the 55 games they were on the same roster.
Though Anthony, Mayer, and Teel earned their promotions to Triple-A Worcester before Campbell, the 22-year-old got his call to the Heart of the Commonwealth shortly after, making his Triple-A debut a week later on August 20.
Once again, the winning effects of the Red Sox’ top four prospects were on full display. After Campbell’s promotion, the WooSox ended the year on a 20-10 run that nearly delivered the club its first postseason appearance.
“Very talented,” WooSox Manager Chad Tracy said before Campbell’s Polar Park debut on August 27. “Another one that you look at and you see the quality of the at-bat, the bat speed, the ability to put the ball in play with two strikes, [he] uses the whole field...He definitely belongs here and then some.”
With a fast, efficient swing that Tracy describes as “controlled violence,” Campbell went on to finish his year hitting .286/.412/.486 in 19 games as a member of the WooSox. His ascension through the minor leagues has him on the doorstep of Fenway Park––something that not many had on their radar at the onset of the 2024 season.
For Campbell, he’s working to stay grounded as he continues his development path.
“Really keeping the same approach going into the game,” Campbell said before the WooSox 12-2 victory over Toledo on August 27. “I feel pretty comfortable with the guys in the locker room and everything so there wasn’t a big adjustment period. Just making sure I stay confident as I move a level up.”
CAMPBELL GOES 431 FOR HIS FIRST POLAR PARK HOMER pic.twitter.com/Ohs8VTZAUK
— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) August 27, 2024
Later that night, Campbell seemed confident at the plate. Batting third as the WooSox’ shortstop, he belted a loud 431-foot home run onto the berm in center field. It was quite an introduction to the city of Worcester and gave WooSox Nation a preview of what they could see from Baseball America’s 2024 Player of the Year at Fenway Park in the not-so-distant future.
How clubs across Minor League Baseball are celebrating PLAY BALL Weekend
PLAY BALL Weekend is almost here, and Minor League clubs have put together an exciting calendar of events to celebrate MLB’s youth engagement initiative. Some clubs are hosting youth clinics or other events in their home ballparks while others are bringing the joy of baseball and softball into the local
Here are the weirdest plays and stats from MiLB in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Podcast features first-base promotions for Caglianone, Eldridge
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Cubs' Rojas, Mets' Tong headline May's Minor League Players of the Month
Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for May in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other