Kristian Campbell talks about his memorable spring training
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nelly Taylor's introduction to professional baseball was unforgettable ... thanks to Kristian Campbell.
"I met him for the first time the day we reported after the (2023 MLB) Draft," the Red Sox minor-league outfielder said just outside JetBlue Park. "I went to the hotel front desk, got my key and I headed up to the hotel room. I unlocked the door but the latch was still attached. So, I peak into the door and see what’s going and I see Kristian sleeping on his face across the bed. I don’t know who this guy is. I’m thinking someone is in my hotel room dead or something. I’m like, ‘Yo, open the door!’ He’s not answering me so I’m thinking what should I do. So I just kept on knocking and banging even harder. Finally, he just rose up out of the bed and was like, ‘My bad, bro.’ That’s how I met for the first time.
"It worked out perfectly."
About 18 months later, Taylor and Campbell found themselves still sharing the same living area, having continued to call each other roommates all the way through both offseasons, part of last season and spring training ... until this past Sunday. That was when the two were forced to go their separate ways.
For the highly-regarded Taylor, he awaits his assignment after reaching High-A Greenville last season. But when it comes to Campbell, he discovered his next team is the Boston Red Sox.
It was news that elicited celebration in the pair's spring training house, which has also been shared by Sox minor-league outfielder Will Turner.
"It was just a lot of excitement for him throughout the house," said Taylor regarding the news that Campbell had made the Red Sox' Opening Day roster. "He didn’t even tell me. It was Will Turner. We were home. They were playing somewhere and me and Will were home. He said, ‘Did you see the news? Kristian made the opening day roster?' I was like, 'What?!' But I wasn't really surprised. I'm just so happy for him."
"Even when we would be out doing things, socializing with friends and stuff, you could tell (Campbell) was locked in ready for the next day. He would be like, ‘I need to get home and get ready for tomorrow.’ We understood. We’re on the same path, the same goal. That’s what we all want. It just showed how much he was locked in and what he wants accomplish and what he’s all about."
The friendship between the two 2023 draftees was, according to Turner, "locked in pretty early on. The chemistry was there." Sure, Campbell never liked to cook and wouldn't even bring back food from the big league camp. ("He’s one of the reasons why I even started eating out. We would rarely cook. I would try and cook and he was like, ‘You want to order something?’ He was like, ‘I don’t like leftovers.’ I was like, ‘Are you serious? Growing up I lived off leftovers all my life," Turner added.)
But when it came to all the important things, the pair has always clicked ever since that awkward first introduction.
It's why the kid from Florida knew his buddy from Georgia wasn't about to panic after a slow start to spring training. And it's why Turner firmly believes his buddy is bound for great things in the bigs.
"He was just getting comfortable. He wasn’t overwhelmed, but he just wasn’t as comfortable," Turner explained. "But this is so perfect for him because you can see him heating up and you can see he is going to be problem to stop. I have always been like, ‘Golly, is this guy ever going to slump.’ And he doesn’t. His slump is hitting .300. He just has all the tools to be a really good player in the future and I’m happy for him.
"We had our talks the night before and I was like, ‘This is probably the last time I see you this year. Good luck to you, bro. Just keep doing what your’e doing.’ He said the same thing back. It’s all love and wanting what is best for each other."