Red Sox make disappointing MLB roster decision on $60 million top prospect
Red Sox make disappointing MLB roster decision on $60 million top prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Coming into the 2026 MLB season, the Boston Red Sox have plenty of interesting storylines to pay close attention to. Roman Anthony , Caleb Durbin , Marcelo Mayer , and the new-look rotation are among the most interesting to keep in mind.
But, one of the more important and unfortunate storylines so far has been the future of top prospect and $60 million extension signee Kristian Campbell . After showing a lot of potential last year, he's struggled to prove that the contract is worth it just yet.
And according to Masslive's Chris Cotillo , the Red Sox have made a decision with Campbell this spring that further highlights how disappointing this extension has been so far.
Red Sox make disappointing Kristian Campbell roster move
"Sources: Kristian Campbell optioned to Triple A Worcester this morning," Cotillo reported Saturday morning.
With only a few more spring training games to go before Opening Day, the Red Sox are officially optioning Campbell down to Triple-A to begin the season.
This was always going to be the likely move for the $60 million signing, but it doesn't make the official news any less disappointing.
Campbell struggled this spring, hitting .220 in 41 at-bats with a .645 OPS. That rough production was similar to his Major League production last season for the Red Sox.
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Across 229 at-bats in the Majors last year, Campbell hit .223 with six home runs, 21 RBIs, and a .664 OPS.
When he returned to the minor leagues, across 73 games played, Campbell had a .273 batting average with an .799 OPS.
Campbell's production in the minor leagues was solid, but his Major League outing last year didn't go well outside of his hot start to the year, when he had a 1.188 OPS in March and .848 OPS in April.
The 23-year-old top Red Sox prospect will begin his 2026 season in the minor leagues, as he looks to prove his worth and get another chance in the Majors soon.
