Kristian Campbell Reveals Main Focus After Signing Red Sox Extension

Boston Red Sox rookie Kristian Campbell didn’t hesitate when negotiations with the team resulted in an eight-year, $60 million contract offer — just days after the 22-year-old made his big league debut.

Campbell’s catapult, which made him Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year last season, didn’t stop once the Red Sox gave him the green light coming out of spring training. The surge continued for Campbell as he became the first Red Sox rookie since Xander Bogaerts (2013) to record five-plus hits through his first three games, all while his star potential continues to leak out.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to add $60 million to the bank account for obvious reasons, but Campbell explained how signing the contract will now allow the young up-and-comer to focus on the team’s overarching goal.

“It frees me up a lot, so that’s literally all I’m worried about right now is just winning games,” Campbell told reporters Saturday, per team-provided video.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora already got Campbell experience, both at second base and in the outfield — he’s played in left and center field. So far, Campbell has had no problem looking the part of a big leaguer, hitting .364/.476/.667 with two home runs, four doubles, five RBIs and a stolen base through 10 games. It’s been an impressive start and while Campbell could’ve elected to bet on himself and hold off contract negotiations, the Georgia Tech product couldn’t resist passing up on the chance of a lifetime.

“It was just a life-changing opportunity for me and my family,” Campbell said. “And you can’t pass on that.”

Boston felt the same way about Campbell and the talent he’s showcased.

The Red Sox, in recent years, have adopted the front office philosophy of locking down their young prospects before they blossom into veteran stars. Right-handed pitcher Bryan Bello signed a six-year, $55 million extension before his 25th birthday, and infielder/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela agreed to an eight-year, $50 million extension before turning 23 years old.

Even though Campbell struggled throughout spring training — slashing .167/.305/.271 with 18 strikeouts — Boston already had its impression of him set.

“His ability to make adjustments is probably the defining characteristic, you know, talking to the (player development) staff,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said. “They talked incisively about being able to just kind of tell him what the next step in his development would be, and allow the athlete that he is to go out and make those adjustments. So we saw everything we needed to see throughout spring training, and then obviously when the lights turned on and the regular season started, his game took another step forward.”

Boston sat Campbell for Monday night’s series-opening game against the Toronto Blue Jays after the rookie played twice in Sunday’s day-night doubleheader with the St. Louis Cardinals.