Eric Campbell
| AB | 2373 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .264 |
| OBP | .338 |
| SLG | .443 |
| HR | 93 |
- Full name Eric Scott Campbell
- Born 08/06/1985 in Evansville, IN
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Gibson Southern
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Drafted in the 2nd round (71st overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2004 (signed for $500,000).
View Draft Report
Campbell showed the best consistent raw power of any high school player on last year's summer showcase circuit, but he's not expected to be one of the first 100 players drafted. His power potential is unquestioned; his other tools are average or worse. He was hitting .525-6-20 through his first 59 at-bats this spring. The biggest question about Campbell is the position he'd play as a pro. His infield actions are stiff and his arm strength is barely adequate for the left side of the infield. He could eventually settle in at second base and become a power-hitting middle infielder in the image of Jeff Kent. Campbell has committed to Alabama but is said to have little interest in attending college.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Campbell is the biggest enigma in the system. He was co-MVP in the Appalachian League in 2005 and led the South Atlantic League with 22 homers in 2006, but he has been suspended three times in the last three seasons. He missed the first two months of 2008 after the Braves sat him down for undisclosed reasons. On the positive side, he remained healthy after shoulder and thumb ailments slowed his development in 2007, and he posted impressive power numbers during his return to Myrtle Beach. He has attracted comparisons to Wilson Betemit, who ranked No. 1 on this list in 2001 and 2002 but failed to live up to his minor league billing before earning a reserve role in the majors. Campbell drives the ball to all fields with above-average power and continues to improve his plate discipline. He has below-average speed and athleticism, but he shows decent hands and a strong arm at third base. His makeup has been questioned by coaches and teammates, but he also has the tools to become a starting third baseman in the major leagues. He has left himself with little room for error as he advances to Double-A in 2009. -
Campbell had a year to forget in 2007. A broken thumb followed by a series of minor injuries prevented him from building on the momentum he generated with a co-MVP award in the Appalachian League in 2005 and a home run crown (with 22) in the South Atlantic League in 2006. Equally as disappointing as his performance was Campbell's overall attitude. Though frustrated by the injuries, he showed little intensity in his rehab efforts. That led to his being sent home in August, marking the second time in the past year the Braves had to discipline him. An intense competitor when the lights come on, Campbell has above-average power as well as the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He showed progress last season with his plate discipline, drawing walks at a better rate than ever before. A former shortstop, Campbell has relatively soft hands and a strong arm at third base, but his lateral movement rates no better than average. An attempted shift to second base in 2006 in Hawaii Winter Baseball proved fruitless, and he could land in the outfield down the road. Atlanta remains confident it still has a prospect in Campbell, who marches to the beat of a different drummer. But he'll have to show an improved attitude and approach in 2008, when he'll likely repeat high Class A. -
The co-MVP in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2005, Campbell led the South Atlantic League in homers for an encore. Atlanta's top pick in the 2004 draft, he overcame a midseason back injury to set single-season Rome records for homers and RBIs. Campbell is an aggressive hitter with above-average power from right-center to the leftfield line. He's one of the most adept hitters at capitalizing on pitchers' mistakes in the system. He has soft hands and an accurate arm at third base. Though not particularly fleet afoot, he's an intelligent baserunner who can read pitchers. He succeeded on 18 of his 21 steal attempts in 2006. Campbell lacks ideal quickness and explosiveness. His power comes more from his natural strength than bat speed. His open stance can cause him to fly open on the front side of his swing, which limits his power to the right side. His plate discipline needs improvement. He also has to do a better job of controlling his emotions on the diamond. Drafted as a shortstop, Campbell has played third base the last two seasons and saw time at second base in Hawaii Winter Baseball. With Chipper Jones and Van Pope ahead of him, Campbell may have a better opportunity at second in the long run, but he'll stay at third base as he advances to high Class A. -
After a modest pro debut, Campbell showed why he was Atlanta's top 2004 draft pick. He earned co-MVP honors with Danville teammate Max Ramirez in the Appy League, which Campbell led in runs, doubles, homers, RBIs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage. Campbell has excellent vision that allows him to recognize pitches he can drive to all fields with his plus power. His defense is better than advertised and he made a seamless move from shortstop to third base, displaying above-average athleticism, range and arm strength. He has drawn comparisons to former NL home run champ and Gold Glover Matt Williams. Campbell's speed and overall baserunning skills surprised many scouts. Campbell's swing can get a little long from his open upright stance, and he tends to chase breaking balls, which has led to high strikeout totals. While his aggressiveness at the plate is an advantage, he needs to improve his pitch selection and overall bat control. With Chipper Jones and Wilson Betemit at the hot corner, the Braves feel little need to rush Campbell. He's slated to spend most of the 2006 campaign in low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Like Cain, Campbell built on a 2005 MVP award in Rookie ball (the Appalachian League in his case) with a strong 2006 campaign. A student of the game who kept a notebook on the pitchers in the league, he applied that knowledge by leading the league with 22 homer. Campbell is an aggressive hitter who swings early in the count and rarely misses when pitchers make mistakes. He has ample pull power, but his open stance often leads to him flying open on the front side of his swing, making it hard to drive pitches to the opposite field. Though his speed is average at best, Campbell has good instincts and is an excellent baserunner with a knack for stealing bases when the opportunity arises. He's solid at third base but has a slow first step to his right. -
Batting third for Eastern Division champion Danville provided Campbell with ample offensive opportunity, and he delivered. He led the league in runs, doubles, home runs, RBIs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage, sharing the league player-of-the-year award with teammate Max Ramirez. The highest-drafted player from 2004 to play in the Appy League, Campbell has a knack for identifying pitches he can drive. He generated plus power to all fields with his upright, open stance. He does strike out a lot, however, because he'll chase pitches when fed a steady diet of breaking balls. And he's far from a one-dimensional player. "Campbell has really demonstrated he's a complete player in this league," Danville manager Paul Runge said. "His speed and basestealing ability are overlooked. He had an uncanny ability to steal third for us. And his defense is just short of very, very good at third."
