Boston Red Sox rookie Kristian Campbell was absolutely crushing the ball to begin his big-league career, but things have taken a turn for the worse lately.
Campbell slashed .301/.405/.497 across his first 29 games, good enough to earn him American League Rookie of the Month honors for March/April. It’s been anything but the same since then, however, as soreness in his ribs caused him to miss three games and ultimately enter a slump once he returned — slashing .120/.175/.160 in his last 20 games.
No, those numbers aren’t good, but the youngster sees a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I feel really, really close. I feel confident,” Campbell said this week, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. “It’s just adjusting to the pitching. That’s the biggest thing – just adjusting to how people attack me. I think that’s the process everybody has to go through.”
Good, because his team needs him to turn things around.
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The Red Sox are sliding entering their weekend series with the Atlanta Braves, losing five consecutive games while leaning on multiple players who never expected to be in the positions they’re in. Marcelo Mayer and Carlos Narvaez have both been asked to hit cleanup. Abraham Toro and Nick Sogard are practically playing every day. Campbell, despite the slight injury and major slump, is set to play first base for the first time over the weekend at Truist Park.
It’s not a fun time to be playing for Boston.
Campbell’s confidence that things are turning around with his bat is undoubtedly good news, however, as that will plug one of the many holes currently combining to sink the boat.
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