How Kristian Campbell Found Out From Alex Cora He Made Red Sox Roster

Kristian Campbell faced one more test before making the Boston Red Sox, and it came from manager Alex Cora.

Cora quizzed the highly touted prospect after the final spring training game about all the MLB players that have come from Georgia Tech, where Campbell played for a season after redshirting.

It’s a fairly long list, which includes Jason Varitek and Nomar Garciaparra. And now, Campbell is on it.

The big reveal from Cora that Campbell was part of that exclusive group was how the veteran skipper told the 22-year-old infielder that he made Boston’s Opening Day roster less than two years after the Red Sox drafted him in the fourth round.

“It was a dream come true, for sure,” Campbell told reporters, per NESN. “It was really exciting. Had to my call my family, call my mom, dad, brother and sister. Let everybody know. It was cool.”

Campbell added: “They were yelling on the phone. They were super excited for me. It’s definitely something I’ve worked for my whole life. So, it’s a really special moment.”

Campbell in all likelihood will be the starting second baseman for the Red Sox — Cora said previously that high-level prospects wouldn’t be in the big leagues on a platoon basis. Campbell beat out David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom, who was demoted to Triple-A Worcester, for the job.

It wasn’t the best spring for Campbell. He batted .162 with one home run and two RBIs, but still displayed enough of his immense, raw talent that the Red Sox wanted to give him a shot.

It has been a meteoric rise to this point for Campbell. He went from starring at Georgia Tech to becoming Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2024 after hitting .330 with 20 home runs, 77 RBIs and 24 stolen bases across three levels of Boston’s farm system.

And in a blink, Campbell now reached the final destination with his big league debut coming later this week.

“I guess to some it might be a little unusual,” Campbell said of his journey. “But it’s been a great process so far and they’ve made it really easy for me and made it comfortable for me. So, it’s been a great opportunity and been a great time so far.”