Why Signing Red Sox Extension Was ‘Fairly Easy’ For Kristian Campbell

Kristian Campbell is grateful for all that the Boston Red Sox have done for him.

That includes making the 22-year-old a very rich man.

The Red Sox inked Campbell to an eight-year, $60 million contract extension Wednesday. The deal also includes team options, which could pay Campbell around $100 million over 10 years.

Campbell told reporters after the deal was announced that his agent and the Red Sox discussed a contract for a “good amount of time.” He also cited the talent he came up with through the minor leagues and the players already on Boston’s major league roster for making “the decision fairly easy” for him, according to MassLive’s Christopher Smith.

But most of all, Campbell sure loves the track he’s on with the Red Sox and all the tools they gave him since selecting him in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

“They developed me from Day 1,” Campbell told reporters, per Smith. “As soon as I got drafted, they’ve been working with me every day. I’ve learned something new every day. They’ve helped me become the player I am today. So it means a lot to me that I’m with the Red Sox for a long time.”

Campbell made it known he wanted his future to be in Boston before signing the extension. It’s obviously the only professional organization the Georgia Tech product has ever known and he feels he couldn’t be in a better spot.

“It’s a great place to be — in front of a winning city, winning culture, winning people,” Campbell said. “And I’m definitely fortunate. I’m looking forward to being in Boston.”

The last year-plus has to be a whirlwind for Campbell. He rose incredibly fast, going from an obscure prospect after the Red Sox drafted him to being named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2024 when he batted .330 with 20 home runs and 77 RBIs across three levels of Boston’s minor league system.

Campbell then won a starting job in spring training and impressed right away in the big leagues. And the ascension isn’t over, but it already earned him a major payday.

 ”It definitely is crazy,” Campbell said. “It is fast … but it’s a good thing. My family’s super excited. I’m super excited to be here. And like I said, they developed me. They turned me into what it is. They put their trust in me and developed me and helped me become a great player. And yeah, so as long as I continue to work hard, everything should be fine.”