How Mike Trout Can Relate To Red Sox Rookie

Kristian Campbell’s recent demotion by the Boston Red Sox might sting now, but it does not have to derail his career. Just ask Mike Trout.

When the Red Sox opted to send Campbell back to Triple-A Worcester last week, the move echoed a familiar story in baseball. Trout once faced a similar setback, as Tim Healey of the Boston Globe reports.

Back in 2011, the now three-time MVP was a struggling 19-year-old trying to find his footing in the majors. A year later, he returned with renewed confidence and never looked back.

Campbell’s numbers dipped sharply after a strong start to the season. He hit just .223 with a .664 OPS over 67 games while bouncing between second base, center field and left, including one game as DH. The decision to send him down was not about punishment, but perspective.

“In the moment, it (stinks),” Trout told the Globe. “But you got to experience what it’s like up here. You know what you need to do to maintain and stay up here.”

That is exactly what Campbell has been trying to process. He had said after breaking camp with the Red Sox this spring that the game felt fast — too fast. Trout can relate. He explained how easy it is for young players to get away from what made them successful in the first place.

“You don’t really see often where you get a younger kid who comes up and just explodes right off the get-go,” Trout told Healey. “When young guys get up here, they try to do so much. Especially myself. I got out of my approach a lot… I had to trust what got me there. It was a big learning experience for me.”

That lesson may be exactly what Campbell needs now, while his future with the Red Sox remains bright.