In just 44 plate appearances, Campbell is hitting an impressive .318, with an on-base percentage of .426 and an OPS of .971. He’s already collected 14 hits, including two home runs, five RBIs, and one stolen base. His strong performance comes as part of an eight-year, $60 million deal with Boston, signaling the franchise’s belief in his long-term potential.
According to MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra, Campbell has taken an early lead in the AL Rookie of the Year race. Speaking on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Dykstra noted that Campbell currently leads all rookies in FanGraphs WAR and praised his offensive output: “The bat speed is translating extremely well… If you were to pick today, he would probably be your number one choice in the American League.”
While there are still concerns about his defensive consistency at second base, Campbell’s offense has overshadowed any fielding issues. Dykstra emphasized that the Red Sox called him up for his bat, and so far, that decision is paying off. “He’s ticking all the boxes. This is the version of Kristian Campbell that scouts hoped for—and he’s delivering right away,” Dykstra added.
Campbell’s early success didn’t come without adjustments. Like many rookies, he initially struggled against major-league pitching. Dykstra shared that Campbell had a turning point after a conversation with Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Rather than pushing through his slump with aggressive swings, Cora advised him to be more selective at the plate.
“He was expanding the zone too much, being overly eager,” Dykstra said. “But one thing Kristian has shown is that he’s coachable. When Alex Cora told him to stop swinging and wait for his pitch, he made that adjustment quickly.”
Thanks to those changes and his sharp learning curve, Campbell has now become the frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year. Current betting odds place him at +215, ahead of the Athletics’ Jacob Wilson (+310) and the Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez (+900).