Kristian Campbell's distinctive approach has made him one of the Red Sox' most consistent hitters

Boston Globe

01-05-2025

'Definitely, we thought that we were going to see a little bit of struggling,' said Red Sox first base coach José Flores.
But Campbell has done the opposite. The 22-year-old entered Wednesday having been one of the most consistent players in the Red Sox lineup this year, carrying an .313/.420/.515 line while having reached base in 26 of his first 28 games.
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Those marks are among the most impressive put up by a Red Sox rookie in his first month in the big leagues — particularly after breaking camp with the team. No Red Sox rookie who began the season as an everyday starter has ever posted a better OBP through 28 games. Aside from Japanese veteran Masataka Yoshida in 2023, you'd likely have to go back to George Scott in 1966 to find a Red Sox rookie who — without any prior experience in the big leagues — debuted on Opening Day and made such an impact.
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'It's definitely surprising, even for me sometimes,' said Campbell. 'It's my first time seeing all these pitchers. I really just try to keep everything as simple as possible.'
The foundation of Campbell's success is a distinctive approach in which he appears ready to swing out of his shoes on any pitch and yet maintains the ability to pull back his swing. The result appears unusual — almost as if Campbell check-swings on every pitch — but it has allowed him to take aggressive swings combined with impressive takes.
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'I'm ready every pitch. I'm literally ready every pitch to hit,' explained Campbell. 'Being able to stop last second and make that last-second split decision to stop is, I think, something I carried over. I'm swinging until I'm not swinging. That's pretty much my approach, and I think that's made me successful.'
It is early, but through his first month Campbell has struck an offensive balance of aggressiveness and plate discipline that usually eludes players for years, if not careers, while also adjusting to the opposing pitcher's plan of attack.
'Adaptability is probably the best word for that,' said Sox hitting coach Pete Fatse. 'He's learning things on the fly in a lot of cases, and I think his ability to apply information as it comes to him is what's separating him right now.'
'He's been able to [make adjustments] from one AB to the other, and that's really tough to do in your rookie year,' said Flores. 'Those are the flashes of a superstar in the big leagues.'
Waiting for Wong
The Red Sox hope catcher Connor Wong (broken left pinkie) will be ready to rejoin the team this weekend, but he'll need at least one more rehab game with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday before he's ready.
'He doesn't feel comfortable catching right now,' said Sox manager Alex Cora. 'There's a little hesitation to the pitches. So he's going to give it a try tomorrow, see how he feels.'
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Newcomb in relief
With Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello back, lefthander Sean Newcomb will get a look as a lefthanded option out of the bullpen. He and the Sox were encouraged by his first relief outing of the season on Sunday, when he struck out three in a scoreless inning.
'When I signed here, I knew obviously the depth they had in the rotation,' said Newcomb. 'I'd pitched out of the 'pen plenty in my career and love being in a leverage role, just pitching in games that matter, coming to the park every day ready to play. So it's different, for sure, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity.' ... Lefthander Brennan Bernardino was placed on the bereavement list. His roster spot was taken by Giolito, who was activated on Wednesday ... Red Sox players remained amazed by Daulton Varsho's catch on Tuesday, when the Blue Jays center fielder lost his footing, fell on the turf, but — while kneeling, and with his back to the plate — reached to his left and made a blind, backhand catch of a flyball to the center field warning track by Jarren Duran. 'Never seen anything like that,' said Cora.
Alex Speier can be reached at