Surging Red Sox Prospect ‘Excited’ With Rapid Development
The Boston Red Sox have been praised for the development of their “Big Three” out in Double-A Portland, but that nickname might not stick.
The Sea Dogs actually have a Big Four.
Kristian Campbell, who was promoted just last month, has been one of the best players in MiLB this season, slashing .346/.452/.589 with 12 home runs, 21 doubles and 43 RBIs and in 66 games across High-A Greenville and Portland.
Campbell joined The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier on NESN’s “310 To Left” podcast Friday, discussing his rapid rise throughout the system, the challenges of professional baseball and his goals moving forward.
“I had no idea what was going to happen once I got drafted,” Campbell said. “I’m just really excited with where I’m at right now… It’s definitely been a lot about learning, a lot of changes, even though it has mainly been positive. I’ve definitely been working on a lot of stuff, a lot of trial and error.”
Campbell debuted on Baseball America’s Top 100 as the No. 89 ranked prospect in MLB on Wednesday, and could rise even further given the amount of time he likely still has within the system.
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Jarren Duran ‘Happy to Pay’ Fine for Expletive T-Shirt About Mental Health
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran received a warning from MLB for wearing a custom T-shirt with an expletive on it during a postgame interview following a June 24 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, a game in which Duran collected a walk-off hit.
Duran violated the league’s rules by wearing the shirt, which says “F*** ’em” on it.
But Duran, while respecting MLB’s policies, said that he’d be “happy to pay” the fine for the shirt, which is a nod to the Red Sox outfielder overcoming struggles with mental health.
“I’m not surprised because obviously, it’s bad words and bad language,” Duran told Chris Cotillo of MassLive. “It’s understandable. I’m glad they didn’t fine me. They just gave me a warning. If I ever hit a walk-off again, I’ll just take everything off so I don’t get in trouble.
“But that would be a fine I’d be happy to pay. I wouldn’t have a problem paying that fine because it’s just me wearing something that means a lot to me.”
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Duran’s struggles during his first stint in the big leagues back in 2021 took a toll on his mental health.
“It has been pretty hard,” Duran told MassLive in August of 2022. “I can’t talk about too much of it, but I’ve been pretty low this year. It has been a struggle to stay here (in the majors).”
But Duran, who overcame his demons and his struggles, is enjoying a career year in Boston, and hasn’t forgotten the message (F*** ’em) that got him through the difficult times.
“It’s basically saying the phrase to the mental demons that were trying to get me to not be here anymore,” Duran said. “Telling them to basically back off, that I can do this and I want to be here.”
