Luis Campusano

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #3 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: The first catcher selected in the 2017 draft, Campusano overcame a pair of early concussions to win co-MVP honors in the High-A California League in 2019. A year later, he hit his way from the alternate training site to the majors and homered in his debut, but a wrist injury quickly ended that stint and he has been blocked in San Diego the past two seasons by veteran catchers. Campusano spent most of 2022 at Triple-A El Paso but finished the season in the majors and made the Padres' postseason roster. He spent his offseason playing in the Dominican League and swung the bat well in eight games as Estrellas' starting catcher.
  
  Scouting Report: An immensely strong hitter who makes loud contact from foul pole to foul pole, Campusano projects as a middle-of-the-order threat who will hit for both average and power. He has demonstrated excellent strike-zone control at his best, though he has been too aggressive during spot duty in the majors. Defensively, Campusano is an athletic backstop who has improved his blocking significantly in pro ball. Improving his framing has long been a point of emphasis, while above-average arm strength remains his best asset behind the plate. Something of an introvert, Campusano has worked to assert himself in game-planning with pitchers, but his focus and effort level over the course of an entire game have long been flagged as areas that need improvement.
  
  The Future: With nothing left to prove in the minors, Campusano must earn the trust of a big league coaching staff helmed by former catcher Bob Melvin if he's going to fulfill his potential as the Padres' long-term backstop. He'll report to camp looking for a share of the catching job with Austin Nola.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #3 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The first catcher selected in the 2017 draft, Campusano overcame a pair of early concussions to win co-MVP honors in the High-A California League in 2019. A year later, Campusano hit his way from the alternate training site to the majors and homered in his debut, but a wrist injury quickly ended that stint. Austin Nola’s broken finger pushed Campusano onto the Opening Day roster in 2021, but struggles at the became a drain on his playing time and ultimately pushed him back to Triple-A El Paso. He had 15 homers and a .906 OPS in 81 games for the Chihuahuas before an oblique injury ended his season.
  
  Scouting Report: Campusano’s bat remains his calling card. He is an immensely strong hitter who makes loud contact from foul pole to foul pole and projects as a middle-of-the-order threat who hits for both average and power. He has demonstrated excellent strike-zone control at his best, although he’s been too aggressive during his time in the majors. Defensively, Campusano is an athletic backstop who’s improved his blocking significantly since joining the system. Improving his framing has long been a point of emphasis, but Padres officials were pleased with the strides he made last year. He has above-average arm strength, although accuracy remains inconsistent. Something of an introvert, Campusano has to work to assert himself in game-planning alongside fellow pitchers. Maturity questions also persist following a 2020 arrest for felony marijuana possession, although prosecutors ultimately dropped the charges.
  
  The Future: With Nola under team control through 2025, Campusano has time on his side to develop into the Padres’ long-term answer at catcher. He’ll try to force his way into the team’s plans in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #3 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Campusano suffered a concussion shortly after the Padres drafted him in 2017 and had a season-ending concussion in 2018, but he stayed healthy in 2019 and won the high Class A California League batting title (.325) and co-MVP award. He made his big league debut in 2020 and homered in his first game before missing the rest of the regular season with a left wrist sprain. In October, Campusano was arrested and charged with felony marijuana possession in Georgia.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Campusano is one of the strongest players in the Padres’ system. He occasionally swung a 40-ounce bat in games in the minors and still demonstrated some of the best bat speed among his peers. Campusano pummels baseballs on a line from foul pole to foul pole and is progressively learning to elevate for home runs. He’s aggressive and swings hard, but he stays within the strike zone to limit his strikeouts and draws plenty of walks. Campusano has a strong, flexible lower half behind the plate and lost 10-15 pounds to improve his quickness. He’s an excellent blocker and has improved his receiving to average to go with above-average arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: Campusano’s upcoming legal proceedings cloud his future. On talent, he could be an everyday catcher who hits in the middle of the order.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #5 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Campusano failed to make USA Baseball's 18U national team in high school and used it as motivation to get in better shape. He slimmed down, added muscle and became the first catcher selected in the 2017 draft when the Padres took him 39th overall. Campusano's first two seasons were interrupted by concussions, but he stayed healthy in 2019 at high Class A Lake Elsinore and won the California League batting title (.325) and co-MVP award.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Campusano is one of the strongest players in the Padres system. He sometimes swings a 40-ounce bat in games and still manages to get the barrel through the zone. Campusano swings hard and punishes pitches over the plate while rarely straying outside the strike zone. He mostly smokes hard line drives, but he is progressively learning to elevate and put the ball over the fence to project as an above-average hitter with above-average power. Campusano's strong, flexible lower half makes him an agile blocker, and he turned his framing from a negative into a positive in 2019. His effort level wavers depending on the caliber of pitcher he's catching and his plus arm strength is often negated by a tendency to unnecessarily throw from his knees.
  
  THE FUTURE: Campusano has defensive work ahead, but his bat is special. He'll move to Double-A Amarillo in 2020.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #19 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Padres made Campusano the first catcher selected in the 2017 draft when they took him 39th overall. He went out to low Class A Fort Wayne and made the Midwest League all-star game in a promising start to his first full season, but a foul tip off his mask resulted in a season-ending concussion in late July, his second concussion in as many years.
  
  Scouting Report: Campusano's defense is ahead of his offense, but he's well-rounded and capable at both. He projects to be above-average to plus defender behind the plate, with advanced natural instincts and feel for managing a game. Campusano receives quietly, is a solid blocker and has plus arm strength he likes to show off, sometimes throwing runners out from his knees. Campusano's swing is a brute strength swing that results in a lot of hard hit ground balls, and the Padres believe double-digit home runs will come as he learns to elevate. He shows a feel for contact and doesn't strike out much, a promising foundation to be an average hitter or better. Campusano's talent is evident, but his standoffish attitude towards media, management and even teammates perturbs many.
  
  The Future: Campusano has the skills to be an everyday catcher, but his concussions are concerning and his makeup needs to improve. He'll move to high Class A Lake Elsinore in 2019.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #20 prospect in 2018
  Campusano failed to make the USA Baseball 18U National Team after his junior year of high school and used it as motivation to get in better shape, trimming excess baby fat and growing significantly more muscular by the spring of his senior year. His power ticked up as a result and he became the top catcher selected in the 2017 draft when the Padres picked him 39th overall and signed him for $1.3 million to forgo a South Carolina commitment. The newly-chiseled Campusano shows plus raw power, sometimes a tick above, and takes a strong swing in games to get to it. His overly aggressive approach prevents him from accessing that power consistently and his swing will get long, but he shows enough hitterish qualities to project as a possible average bat with usable pull-side power. Defensively Campusano receives well, has an above-average arm and has worked himself to make himself a solid blocker. He takes instruction well and is mature for his age. Evaluators see a potential everyday catcher hitting .250 with 15-20 home runs and above-average defense in Campusano, but he is a ways from getting there. He has a chance to see full-season ball in 2018.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #42 prospect in 2017 draft
  Campusano established himself as a prospect to follow with a solid showing on the showcase circuit. He showed flashes of raw power and a quick righthanded bat to go along with average arm strength. There were questions about his body--which still had some baby fat at the time--and his pure receiving skills behind the plate. In the offseason, Campusano got himself into tremendous shape, slimming down and appearing more chiseled and muscular in the spring. His raw power took a step forward as a result; it grades as an easy 60 for some scouts, with some being even more aggressive than that. Evaluators aren't certain quite how much power Campusano will get to in games. He's changed his stance often in an effort to find a comfortable hitting position that will allow his power to play, and he's played well against inferior competition this spring. Defensively, Campusano's body improvements have helped his lateral mobility but he still lacks soft hands and struggles with blocking. He has an average arm. Campusano is committed to South Carolina, but his hot spring could see him shoot off the board. Teams picking in the 20s are interested, and he's likely to end up going somewhere between 20 and 50 depending on how the board plays out.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #6 prospect in 2021
  Campusano started the year in San Diego and took time to round into form after he was sent down to El Paso in May. But he recovered to hit .320/.386/.613 from June 1 until Aug. 30, when he suffered a strained oblique. Campusano stayed in the strike zone, swung hard and punished mistakes throughout the summer. He did damage at home (1.000 OPS) and on the road (.832 OPS), crushed all types of pitches—especially fastballs and changeups—and did so while facing older pitchers almost exclusively. “He’s a force,” Albuquerque manager Warren Shaeffer said. “When his spot comes up in the lineup, you have to do something about it.” Campusano’s defense remains behind his offense, but he has the physical skills become average with more development. His cost his pitchers strikes with inconsistent receiving and threw out just 22% of basestealers. He did improve his overall game management skills.
• 
  Ranked California League #8 prospect in 2019
  Campusano hit .325 to win the league batting title, becoming the first catcher to win it since Lancaster’s Koby Clemens in 2009. Pitchers often singled Campusano out as a hitter they feared because he made adjustments and swung hard, punishing mistakes while rarely straying from the strike zone. Campusano frequently swung a 40-ounce bat, adding to his offensive lore. He was voted the league’s best batting prospect by managers and named league co-MVP. "I’ve become a big fan of his,” Lancaster manager Scott Little said. "He’s a strong kid who puts the barrel on the baseball and it comes off pretty good.” Campusano showed flashes of being an above-average defensive catcher. He has strong, flexible lower half, is an agile blocker and ably handles velocity. His effort wavers depending on the caliber of pitcher, however, and his plus arm strength is negated by a tendency to unnecessarily throw from his knees.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #16 prospect in 2017
  Campusano was the first catcher picked in the 2017 draft, going 39th overall to the Padres and signing for $1.3 million. The Georgia high school product was coming off a solid senior year in which he got his mature, strong body in better shape, increasing his agility behind the plate. While at times inconsistent, Campusano shows advanced blocking and receiving skills and moves well. He flashed some sub-2.0 second pop times on throws to second base, but he threw out just seven of 49 basestealers. "He's got all the right tools and makeup for being a frontline catcher behind the dish," Padres manager Shaun Cole said. Campusano has plenty of pull-side power with a strong swing and an approach at the plate that is sometimes too aggressive, but he makes solid, hard contact. It's a power over hit bat, and he gets good carry when he gets the barrel on the ball.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #53 prospect in 2022
• Ranked Baseball America's #36 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #79 prospect in 2020

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: The first catcher selected in the 2017 draft, Campusano overcame a pair of early concussions to win co-MVP honors in the High-A California League in 2019. A year later, he hit his way from the alternate training site to the majors and homered in his debut, but a wrist injury quickly ended that stint and he has been blocked in San Diego the past two seasons by veteran catchers. Campusano spent most of 2022 at Triple-A El Paso but finished the season in the majors and made the Padres' postseason roster. He spent his offseason playing in the Dominican League and swung the bat well in eight games as Estrellas' starting catcher.
  
  Scouting Report: An immensely strong hitter who makes loud contact from foul pole to foul pole, Campusano projects as a middle-of-the-order threat who will hit for both average and power. He has demonstrated excellent strike-zone control at his best, though he has been too aggressive during spot duty in the majors. Defensively, Campusano is an athletic backstop who has improved his blocking significantly in pro ball. Improving his framing has long been a point of emphasis, while above-average arm strength remains his best asset behind the plate. Something of an introvert, Campusano has worked to assert himself in game-planning with pitchers, but his focus and effort level over the course of an entire game have long been flagged as areas that need improvement.
  
  The Future: With nothing left to prove in the minors, Campusano must earn the trust of a big league coaching staff helmed by former catcher Bob Melvin if he's going to fulfill his potential as the Padres' long-term backstop. He'll report to camp looking for a share of the catching job with Austin Nola.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: The first catcher selected in the 2017 draft, Campusano overcame a pair of early concussions to win co-MVP honors in the High-A California League in 2019. A year later, he hit his way from the alternate training site to the majors and homered in his debut, but a wrist injury quickly ended that stint and he has been blocked in San Diego the past two seasons by veteran catchers. Campusano spent most of 2022 at Triple-A El Paso but finished the season in the majors and made the Padres' postseason roster. He spent his offseason playing in the Dominican League and swung the bat well in eight games as Estrellas' starting catcher.
  
  Scouting Report: An immensely strong hitter who makes loud contact from foul pole to foul pole, Campusano projects as a middle-of-the-order threat who will hit for both average and power. He has demonstrated excellent strike-zone control at his best, though he has been too aggressive during spot duty in the majors. Defensively, Campusano is an athletic backstop who has improved his blocking significantly in pro ball. Improving his framing has long been a point of emphasis, while above-average arm strength remains his best asset behind the plate. Something of an introvert, Campusano has worked to assert himself in game-planning with pitchers, but his focus and effort level over the course of an entire game have long been flagged as areas that need improvement.
  
  The Future: With nothing left to prove in the minors, Campusano must earn the trust of a big league coaching staff helmed by former catcher Bob Melvin if he's going to fulfill his potential as the Padres' long-term backstop. He'll report to camp looking for a share of the catching job with Austin Nola.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Medium
  
  Track Record: The first catcher selected in the 2017 draft, Campusano overcame a pair of early concussions to win co-MVP honors in the High-A California League in 2019. A year later, Campusano hit his way from the alternate training site to the majors and homered in his debut, but a wrist injury quickly ended that stint. Austin Nola&#39s broken finger pushed Campusano onto the Opening Day roster in 2021, but struggles at the became a drain on his playing time and ultimately pushed him back to Triple-A El Paso. He had 15 homers and a .906 OPS in 81 games for the Chihuahuas before an oblique injury ended his season.
  
  Scouting Report: Campusano&#39s bat remains his calling card. He is an immensely strong hitter who makes loud contact from foul pole to foul pole and projects as a middle-of-the-order threat who hits for both average and power. He has demonstrated excellent strike-zone control at his best, although he&#39s been too aggressive during his time in the majors. Defensively, Campusano is an athletic backstop who&#39s improved his blocking significantly since joining the system. Improving his framing has long been a point of emphasis, but Padres officials were pleased with the strides he made last year. He has above-average arm strength, although accuracy remains inconsistent. Something of an introvert, Campusano has to work to assert himself in game-planning alongside fellow pitchers. Maturity questions also persist following a 2020 arrest for felony marijuana possession, although prosecutors ultimately dropped the charges.
  
  The Future: With Nola under team control through 2025, Campusano has time on his side to develop into the Padres&#39 long-term answer at catcher. He&#39ll try to force his way into the team&#39s plans in 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The first catcher selected in the 2017 draft, Campusano overcame a pair of early concussions to win co-MVP honors in the High-A California League in 2019. A year later, Campusano hit his way from the alternate training site to the majors and homered in his debut, but a wrist injury quickly ended that stint. Austin Nola’s broken finger pushed Campusano onto the Opening Day roster in 2021, but struggles at the became a drain on his playing time and ultimately pushed him back to Triple-A El Paso. He had 15 homers and a .906 OPS in 81 games for the Chihuahuas before an oblique injury ended his season.
  
  Scouting Report: Campusano’s bat remains his calling card. He is an immensely strong hitter who makes loud contact from foul pole to foul pole and projects as a middle-of-the-order threat who hits for both average and power. He has demonstrated excellent strike-zone control at his best, although he’s been too aggressive during his time in the majors. Defensively, Campusano is an athletic backstop who’s improved his blocking significantly since joining the system. Improving his framing has long been a point of emphasis, but Padres officials were pleased with the strides he made last year. He has above-average arm strength, although accuracy remains inconsistent. Something of an introvert, Campusano has to work to assert himself in game-planning alongside fellow pitchers. Maturity questions also persist following a 2020 arrest for felony marijuana possession, although prosecutors ultimately dropped the charges.
  
  The Future: With Nola under team control through 2025, Campusano has time on his side to develop into the Padres’ long-term answer at catcher. He’ll try to force his way into the team’s plans in 2022.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Campusano started the year in San Diego and took time to round into form after he was sent down to El Paso in May. But he recovered to hit .320/.386/.613 from June 1 until Aug. 30, when he suffered a strained oblique. Campusano stayed in the strike zone, swung hard and punished mistakes throughout the summer. He did damage at home (1.000 OPS) and on the road (.832 OPS), crushed all types of pitches—especially fastballs and changeups—and did so while facing older pitchers almost exclusively. “He’s a force,” Albuquerque manager Warren Shaeffer said. “When his spot comes up in the lineup, you have to do something about it.” Campusano’s defense remains behind his offense, but he has the physical skills become average with more development. His cost his pitchers strikes with inconsistent receiving and threw out just 22% of basestealers. He did improve his overall game management skills.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Campusano suffered a concussion shortly after the Padres drafted him in 2017 and had a season-ending concussion in 2018, but he stayed healthy in 2019 and won the high Class A California League batting title (.325) and co-MVP award. He made his big league debut in 2020 and homered in his first game before missing the rest of the regular season with a left wrist sprain. In October, Campusano was arrested and charged with felony marijuana possession in Georgia.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Campusano is one of the strongest players in the Padres' system. He occasionally swung a 40-ounce bat in games in the minors and still demonstrated some of the best bat speed among his peers. Campusano pummels baseballs on a line from foul pole to foul pole and is progressively learning to elevate for home runs. He's aggressive and swings hard, but he stays within the strike zone to limit his strikeouts and draws plenty of walks. Campusano has a strong, flexible lower half behind the plate and lost 10-15 pounds to improve his quickness. He's an excellent blocker and has improved his receiving to average to go with above-average arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: Campusano's upcoming legal proceedings cloud his future. On talent, he could be an everyday catcher who hits in the middle of the order.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Campusano suffered a concussion shortly after the Padres drafted him in 2017 and had a season-ending concussion in 2018, but he stayed healthy in 2019 and won the high Class A California League batting title (.325) and co-MVP award. He made his big league debut in 2020 and homered in his first game before missing the rest of the regular season with a left wrist sprain. In October, Campusano was arrested and charged with felony marijuana possession in Georgia.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Campusano is one of the strongest players in the Padres’ system. He occasionally swung a 40-ounce bat in games in the minors and still demonstrated some of the best bat speed among his peers. Campusano pummels baseballs on a line from foul pole to foul pole and is progressively learning to elevate for home runs. He’s aggressive and swings hard, but he stays within the strike zone to limit his strikeouts and draws plenty of walks. Campusano has a strong, flexible lower half behind the plate and lost 10-15 pounds to improve his quickness. He’s an excellent blocker and has improved his receiving to average to go with above-average arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: Campusano’s upcoming legal proceedings cloud his future. On talent, he could be an everyday catcher who hits in the middle of the order.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Campusano suffered a concussion shortly after the Padres drafted him in 2017 and had a season-ending concussion in 2018, but he stayed healthy in 2019 and won the high Class A California League batting title (.325) and co-MVP award. He made his big league debut in 2020 and homered in his first game before missing the rest of the regular season with a left wrist sprain. In October, Campusano was arrested and charged with felony marijuana possession in Georgia.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Campusano is one of the strongest players in the Padres’ system. He occasionally swung a 40-ounce bat in games in the minors and still demonstrated some of the best bat speed among his peers. Campusano pummels baseballs on a line from foul pole to foul pole and is progressively learning to elevate for home runs. He’s aggressive and swings hard, but he stays within the strike zone to limit his strikeouts and draws plenty of walks. Campusano has a strong, flexible lower half behind the plate and lost 10-15 pounds to improve his quickness. He’s an excellent blocker and has improved his receiving to average to go with above-average arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: Campusano’s upcoming legal proceedings cloud his future. On talent, he could be an everyday catcher who hits in the middle of the order.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Campusano failed to make USA Baseball’s 18U national team in high school and used it as motivation to get in better shape. He slimmed down, added muscle and became the first catcher selected in the 2017 draft when the Padres took him 39th overall. Campusano’s first two seasons were interrupted by concussions, but he stayed healthy in 2019 at high Class A Lake Elsinore and won the California League batting title (.325) and co-MVP award.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Campusano is one of the strongest players in the Padres system. He sometimes swings a 40-ounce bat in games and still manages to get the barrel through the zone. Campusano swings hard and punishes pitches over the plate while rarely straying outside the strike zone. He mostly smokes hard line drives, but he is progressively learning to elevate and put the ball over the fence to project as an above-average hitter with above-average power. Campusano’s strong, flexible lower half makes him an agile blocker, and he turned his framing from a negative into a positive in 2019. His effort level wavers depending on the caliber of pitcher he’s catching and his plus arm strength is often negated by a tendency to unnecessarily throw from his knees.
  
  THE FUTURE: Campusano has defensive work ahead, but his bat is special. He’ll move to Double-A Amarillo in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Campusano failed to make USA Baseball's 18U national team in high school and used it as motivation to get in better shape. He slimmed down, added muscle and became the first catcher selected in the 2017 draft when the Padres took him 39th overall. Campusano's first two seasons were interrupted by concussions, but he stayed healthy in 2019 at high Class A Lake Elsinore and won the California League batting title (.325) and co-MVP award.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Campusano is one of the strongest players in the Padres system. He sometimes swings a 40-ounce bat in games and still manages to get the barrel through the zone. Campusano swings hard and punishes pitches over the plate while rarely straying outside the strike zone. He mostly smokes hard line drives, but he is progressively learning to elevate and put the ball over the fence to project as an above-average hitter with above-average power. Campusano's strong, flexible lower half makes him an agile blocker, and he turned his framing from a negative into a positive in 2019. His effort level wavers depending on the caliber of pitcher he's catching and his plus arm strength is often negated by a tendency to unnecessarily throw from his knees.
  
  THE FUTURE: Campusano has defensive work ahead, but his bat is special. He'll move to Double-A Amarillo in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Campusano hit .325 to win the league batting title, becoming the first catcher to win it since Lancaster’s Koby Clemens in 2009. Pitchers often singled Campusano out as a hitter they feared because he made adjustments and swung hard, punishing mistakes while rarely straying from the strike zone. Campusano frequently swung a 40-ounce bat, adding to his offensive lore. He was voted the league’s best batting prospect by managers and named league co-MVP. "I’ve become a big fan of his,” Lancaster manager Scott Little said. "He’s a strong kid who puts the barrel on the baseball and it comes off pretty good.” Campusano showed flashes of being an above-average defensive catcher. He has strong, flexible lower half, is an agile blocker and ably handles velocity. His effort wavers depending on the caliber of pitcher, however, and his plus arm strength is negated by a tendency to unnecessarily throw from his knees.