While there has been aton of noise surrounding the Boston Red Sox regarding external roster moves, there have been internal discussions ahead of the 2026 season. Most of the focus within the current roster has been around Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and trying to bring back Alex Bregman. However, there have been expressions of hope for Kristian Campbell, who the Red Sox want bounce back in 2026.

Campbell entered the 2025 season as the starting second baseman for the Red Sox in their season opener. Made it through 67 games before spending the rest of the season in Triple-A Worcester with the WooSox. The hope for 2026 is that Campbell returns to the red-hot form he showed in April 2025, in a new position.

Red Sox Hope Campbell Turns the Page After 2025

GettyKristian Campbell of the Boston Red Sox

As MLB.com’s Ian Browne puts it, the Red Sox are hopeful that their 23-year-old, 2023 fourth-rounder can have a bounce-back 2026 season, after having growing pains in 2025. After signing an eight-year, $60 million contract extension in 2025, there is no buyer’s remorse from the Red Sox, just hopefulness to see Campbell blossom in Boston. After signing the contract, Campbell stated, “Definitely is crazy. It’s fast, like you said, but it’s a good thing. My family is super excited. I’m super excited to be here…They developed me. I mean, they turned it into what it is, and they put their trust in me and developed me.”

Campbell is signed with the Red Sox through the 2032 season, with club options in ’33 and ’34, where he will make $19M and $21M, respectivly each season. Over the course of the contract, his annual average value (AAV) will increase. Regarding 2026, Campbell is expected to earn $ 2.25 million. A very team-friendly deal for the Red Sox, and something they can build around in the future within their next young core of players.

In 2025, Campbell had a .223 average with a slash line of .319/.345/.664, and an  OPS+ of 86. He finished with six home runs, 21 RBIs, 10 doubles, 51 hits, two stolen bases, 29 walks, and 72 strikeouts in 67 games. His -1.0 wins above replacement (WAR) is something the Red Sox hope to see with a crooked number and a plus next to it in 2026.

Converting to the Outfield

Despite the down numbers, the belief is that Campbell could find his way onto the 2026 roster as a platoon bat against left-handed pitchers. However, that all depends on how the Red Sox address the logjam in the outfield. Between Duran, Abreu, Ceddenne Rafaela, and Roman Anthony, it’ll be interesting to see how the team navigates that situation if they want to see Campbell get at-bats in Boston. However, with Rob Refsnyder heading to Seattle, could this be the opening for him?

While he was drafted as a second baseman and tried to play the position in 2025, it seems that it was, too much on him too soon.  When watching him play the position, there was a sense that he did not look comfortable at the big league level. When asked, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stated, “I think there is ultimately some versatility that he can provide, though we’ve also talked about trying to narrow that a little bit and just giving him some stability and consistency day to day, so he didn’t have to kind of take on the uncertainty of where he’d be playing defensively, alongside trying to acclimate to big league pitching,”.

Whether that be mainly in the outfield, or maybe see time at second base (on rare occasion), there seems to be a path the Red Sox are looking to venture with Campbell. While Campbell was playing in Puerto Rico in the Winter League, he had dinner with manager Alex Cora and caught up, following a turbulent 2025. Cora stated during the Winter Meetings earlier in December, “I talked to him recently. We had dinner, and he opened up about the season. The ups and downs, the expectations, the contract, Triple-A, the big leagues, the adjustments.”

It speaks to the maturity of Campbell, knowing that 2025 was a down season for him, but a learning experience, and preparing for 2026. What happens with Campbell and the Red Sox at the 2026 Training Camp will be a storyline to keep an eye on through the Spring in the buildup to Opening Day. He will have to earn his place again, especially in a crowded outfield. However, there seems to be a sense that last season’s MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 overall prospect could take a step in 2026 and be the guy the Red Sox signed last year. Only time will tell, but no matter how it plays out, Campbell is someone to watch break out in ’26.

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