The Boston Red Sox lost again on Wednesday afternoon, and it came in painful fashion against the Milwaukee Brewers. The lesson here is simple – when you promote young players, they are bound to make mistakes. This is doubly true when said young player is moved around the infield like a utility player. Kristian Campbell has been the victim of poor management since his Red Sox promotion, and no amount of potential can make up for uncertainty.
Campbell made a brutal throw home on Wednesday in Milwaukee. In fact, it's fair to say his decision directly led to a Boston defeat. The Red Sox gave up the tying run before the baseball reached Campbell in the infield, but his bouncer home allowed the runners to advance, and there was little the Red Sox bullpen could do to stop the inevitable after that.
People are going to go after Kristian Campbell for this, but I’m sorry, maybe if the manager kept him at one position this wouldn’t happen.
— Dean Ciriaco (@skippsviewdean) May 28, 2025
Alex Cora’s tinkering of young players is going to have long lasting negative effects. pic.twitter.com/wF8fmBoGwU
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Red Sox fans turn on Kristian Campbell, which isn't fair
Red Sox fans are piling on Campbell, but they lack conviction. The Red Sox called up one of their top prospects and failed to put him in a position to succeed. Campbell isn't the first – nor will he be the last – top prospect to struggle upon arrival. Hitting MLB pitching is tough enough. It's even tougher without stability, which the Sox haven't offered Campbell just yet.
It doesn't help that Boston fans are turning on Campbell already. If they think he's part of the problem, they're in for a rude awakening when Marcelo Mayer or Roman Anthony make a mistake. I have some bad news: There will be oh so many mistakes. That's what rookies do – they are forced to learn on the fly, and typically by example.
Kristian Campbell is not a big league ball player. He’s ass in everyway. Can’t hit, awful fielder. Just send him Down to minors he has no business in the bigs
— Jason Malloy (@JayDontFade) May 28, 2025
The Red Sox blow it again.
— Savage (@SavageSports_) May 28, 2025
Holy hell that throw by Kristian Campbell.
Unreal. pic.twitter.com/RzDZLb0Mq5
Kristian Campbell is TERRIBLE
— Florian Wirtz/Aitana Bonmatí Enjoyer (@xab1ball) May 28, 2025
- It's time to give up on Trevor Story. Rip the band-aid off.
— Justin Leger (@justinjleger) May 28, 2025
- Have to at least consider demoting Kristian Campbell until he figures things out in Worcester. He has been ROUGH.
- If Roman Anthony isn't with the team in Atlanta, what are we doing here?
- Not saying that firing…
Campbell's throw home was inexcusable and will certainly be addressed by Alex Cora postgame. If Campbell takes responsibility for his decision, then all should be forgiven. Heck, if he continues to struggle, another stint in the minors could be for the best anyway. A setback can be for the best in the grand scheme of things.
The Red Sox have to get it together and provide a clear path for Campbell, Mayer and Anthony to succeed. If they fail to do so, they risk mortgaging their future.