After a fast start in which he was voted the American League Rookie of the Month for March/April, Red Sox second baseman Kristian Campbell took a nose dive and was 12-for-97 [.124] with a homer, four RBIs and 32 strikeouts in his last 27 games going into Saturday’s action against the Yankees.

Guess what?

The Red Sox aren’t even thinking about sending Campbell down to the Minor Leagues. There is no one in the farm system to replace him and the team is currently dealing with key injuries to players like Alex Bregman and Triston Casas. Don’t forget the Red Sox recently gave Campbell, 22, an eight-year extension worth $60 million. So, they have to live with his ups and downs in the batter’s box.

Boston Red Sox $60M Rookie Kristian Campbell Says His Versatility Is The Key

Campbell is hoping that Saturday was the start of something special with the bat. He went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in a 10-7 victory over the Bronx Bombers.

With Yankees left-hander Ryan Yarbrough on the mound in the second inning, Campbell drove in the first run of the game by singling to right field, sending Rob Refsnyder home. An inning later, Boston broke the game wide open against Yarbrough by scoring five runs. Campbell had another key hit that inning by poking another single to right field, driving in Trevor Story.

“Huge.That was important for [Campbell] is to contribute,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Obviously, big things are going to happen. But, little by little, he has been working hard with the [hitting] group. It’s not a lack of effort. They show up at [1 p.m.] for a game [that starts] at 7:30. They are just grinding with him and helping him out – kinda like teaching him, walking through at-bats in situations and everything that comes with being a big leaguer. Today was a great day for him.”

Campbell became a known commodity last year. He was a fourth-round compensatory selection in 2023 out of Georgia Tech and, interestingly enough, was compensation for shortstop Xander Bogaerts signing with the Padres. Last year was Campbell’s best in professional baseball. He had a combined slash line of .330/.439/ 558, while making the jump from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester.

Campbell made the big club out of Spring Training this year because of his versatility. Besides playing second base, Campbell can play all three outfield spots and the team worked him out at first base.

There is still time for Campbell to show that he belongs in the big leagues. The key to success is staying confident and taking 2025 as a learning experience.

“Just keep putting up great reps in the cages and just have a focus when I come in everyday,” he said. “Everything is completely new. I’m learning as much as possible. Since Spring Training, I’ve been learning. I’m hard on myself sometimes. At the same time, it’s a process.”

This is the first year Campbell has had a taste of the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry and he called it exciting. Both games at Yankee Stadium were sellouts with the Red Sox and Yankees winning a game apiece.

“It’s been a great series so far. It’s been back and forth. It’s my first time and … it’s living up to expectations for sure,” he said.