Kristian Campbell, a 21-year-old infielder/outfielder who the Red Sox drafted in July with their fourth round compensation pick for losing Xander Bogaerts as a free agent to the Padres, has made MassLive’s Top 25 prospect list. Campbell, who posted a .440 on-base percentage in his first 22 professional games, lands at No. 25.
MassLive will release its Top 25 Red Sox prospect list in stages. Monday-Friday. It will begin with the Nos. 25-21 prospects Monday (see below) and conclude Friday with the top five prospects in the system.
MassLive prospect ranking schedule:
- Monday, Feb. 5: Prospects 21-25
- Tuesday, Feb. 6: Prospects 16-20
- Wednesday, Feb. 7: Prospects 11-15
- Thursday, Feb. 8: Prospects 6-10
- Friday, Feb. 9: Prospects 1-5
Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)Christopher Smith
25. Kristian Campbell, SS, 2B, OF
Age: 21
Throws/Bats: R/R
How acquired: Drafted in fourth round (132nd overall) in 2023 out of Georgia Tech. Signed for $492,700.
2023 stats: Florida Complex League: .391 batting average, .517 on-base percentage, .565 slugging percentage, 1.082 OPS, two doubles, one triple, four runs, two RBIs, three walks, five strikeouts, two steals in eight games (29 plate appearances); High-A Greenville: .267/.400/.422/.822, one homer, two doubles, one triple, five runs, three RBIs, seven walks, 13 strikeouts, one steal in 14 games (55 plate appearances).
ETA: Second half 2025
Report: Campbell, Boston’s 2023 compensation draft pick for losing Xander Bogaerts in free agency to the Padres, is known for his bat-to-ball skills. The 6-foot-3, 191-pounder struck out only 17 times in 217 plate appearances (7.8% strikeout percentage) at Georgia Tech as a sophomore last spring. He had a 90% contact rate and 94% in-zone contact rate, per Baseball America. He has a similar offensive profile to 2022 fourth round pick Chase Meidroth who became the first Red Sox prospect from his draft class to reach Double-A Portland. Meidroth’s .408 on-base percentage last season ranked first among Red Sox minor leaguers (minimum 400 plate appearances). Campbell has the ability to show similar on-base skills as Meidroth (16.2% walk rate). “Campbell’s calling card is his elite contact rate,” Baseball America wrote in his draft scouting report.
Boston drafted Campbell as a shortstop but he appeared in 15 games at second base, four games in left field and two games in right field in his first pro ball experience. On Sept. 17, the Greenville Drive posted a video of an excellent diving catch he made after covering significant ground in left field. So he has the ability to be a versatile defender.
More info: Red Sox’ Xander Bogaerts comp pick ‘a tough out,’ ‘elite’ in important area
Franklin Arias. (Courtesy photo, Boston Red Sox)Courtesy photo
24. Franklin Arias, SS
Age: 18
Bats/Throws: R/R
How acquired: Signed as an amateur international free agent out of Venezuela on Jan. 15, 2023 for $525,000.
2023 stats: Dominican Summer League Red Sox: .350 batting average, .440 on-base percentage, .453 slugging percentage, .893 OPS, one homer, nine doubles, one triple, 32 runs, 15 RBIs, 19 walks, 14 strikeouts, three steals in 37 games (159 plate appearances).
ETA: 2028
Report: The right-handed hitter likely will make his stateside debut in 2024 in the Florida Complex League. He showed strong contact skills in his professional debut season, striking out in just 8.8% of his plate appearances in the DSL. He had more walks (19) than strikeouts (14) in his 159 plate appearances. It will be interesting to see if he adds more power as his body fills out (he’s listed at 5-11, 170 pounds) but right now, he’s known for his defensive ability and contact skills. He’s considered a plus defender with a very strong arm. MLB Pipeline grades his field, arm and run tools 60 (above average, plus) on its 20-80 grading scale.
Nathan Hickey. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
23. Nathan Hickey, C
Age: 24
Bats/Throws: L/R
How acquired: Drafted in fifth round (136th overall) in 2021 out of Florida. Signed for $1 million.
2023 stats: High-A Greenville: .294 batting average, .402 on-base percentage, .588 slugging percentage, .991 OPS, four homers, six doubles, one triple, 13 runs, nine RBIs, 12 walks, 20 strikeouts in 18 games (82 plate appearances). Double-A Portland: .258/.352/.474/.826, 15 homers, 18 doubles, 49 runs, 56 RBIs, 40 walks, 91 strikeouts in 80 games (335 plate appearances).
ETA: 2025
Report: Hickey has an above-average offensive profile for a catcher. He has 35 homers, 44 doubles, a .386 on-base percentage and 15.8% walk percentage in 184 minor league games (785 plate appearances). But he must improve defensively if he wants to stay behind the plate and make it to the big leagues as a catcher.
He needs to improve his framing and throwing. He threw out just 7% of base stealers (10-for-139) between Greenville and Portland last season. He agrees with scouting reports that his low caught stealing percentage has more to do with mechanics than arm strength. He worked with Portland manager Chad Epperson, a former catcher, to make his arm path shorter and more fluid. He could end up as a first baseman/DH or potentially a left fielder if his defense doesn’t improve.
More info: Red Sox’ Nathan Hickey: ‘I want to catch in Boston’
Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)Christopher Smith
22. Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP
Age: 20
Bats/Throws: L/R
2023 stats: Low-A Salem: 6-3 record, 2.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .219 batting average against, 51 strikeouts, 27 walks in 14 starts (55 ⅓ innings).
How acquired: Drafted in fourth round (105th overall) in 2021 out of Leadership Christian Academy in Puerto Rico. Signed for $497,500.
ETA: Second half 2026
Report: The Red Sox like Rodriguez-Cruz’s athleticism, live arm and work ethic. He was drafted at just 17 years old and Boston thinks the 6-foot-3, 175-pounder will add more weight and strength. He was between 92-95 mph with his fastball, which he throws up in the zone. He works best at 92-94 mph, director of player development Brian Abraham said. He also throws a curveball down in the zone, a changeup that runs away from hitters and a slider inside.
Rodriguez-Cruz missed some time this past season with right elbow inflammation but he returned in September. He’s one of those young pitching prospects who could benefit greatly from the new pitching infrastructure that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is putting in place.
More info: Young Red Sox arm (up to 95 mph, 4 pitches) ‘a development staff’s dream’
Eddinson Paulino. (Courtesy of Salem Red Sox/ Danielle DiBenedetto)
21. Eddinson Paulino, SS/3B/2B
Age: 21
Bats/Throws: L/R
How acquired: Signed as an amateur international free agent July 2, 2018, out of Dominican Republic for $205,000.
2023 stats: High-A Greenville: .257 batting average, .338 on-base percentage, .420 slugging percentage, .758 OPS, 12 homers, 28 doubles, four triples, 68 runs, 58 RBIs, 50 walks, 113 strikeouts, 26 steals in 115 games (500 plate appearances).
ETA: 2026
Report: Paulino, at just 5-10, 155 pounds, showed he could hit for power in 2022 when he smashed 58 extra-base hits (13 homers, 35 doubles, 10 triples) in 114 games for Low-A Salem, which plays in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. But his slugging percentage dropped 49 points this past season when he played all 115 of his games at High-A Greenville (and despite gaining muscle last offseason). He entered the 2023 season at 5-11, 176 pounds.
That said, he put together a very strong second half, batting .292 with a .380 on-base percentage, .495 slugging percentage, .875 OPS, nine homers and 16 doubles in 245 plate appearances. A big factor in his turnaround was better swing decisions. That was a focus after he expanded more than he should during the first half.
He has quick hands and a swing angle that helps him hit the ball hard on a line in the air. He is able to jump on fastballs, assistant GM Eddie Romero said. A left-handed hitter, he had much more success against left-handed pitchers this past season than in 2022. His OPS increased 157 points against southpaws. He’s athletic and fast (60 steals, 22 triples in 300 minor league games).
More info: Red Sox’s ‘dynamic’ prospect who hit for power despite being 155lbs added size, muscle
