Quote from LynchMob on September 19, 2025, 5:38 pm

From DFR ...

Luis Campusano‘s stellar 2025 season in El Paso rolled along Thursday as he had a two-out bases-clearing double to put the Chihuahuas ahead. When the 2025 season does officially wrap up, the 26-year-old will have produced the best PCL season in two years, with a .335 average, 1.036 OPS, .450 wOBA, and 148 wRC+ that all comfortably lead the league. Yet somehow the batted ball data remains even more impressive than the back-of-the-card stats. His 93.4 mph average exit velocity, 55.6% hard hit rate, 13.2% barrel rate, and 108.2 mph 90th percentile EV are all in the 95th percentile or better among Triple-A hitters. The Padres would have to tender him a contract in his second year of arbitration to keep him in the organization this winter.

Quote from fenn68 on September 19, 2025, 5:49 pm

Safe bet he get tendered a contract ... wide open 40 man roster and he will still be cheap in Arb 2 (less than $2MM my guess). Plus, for now, the only back-up catcher on the roster will be Campusano as Diaz' $7MM option will be declined.

More speculative on my part ... EP season ends on Sunday ... given Campusano's season and the light hitting McCoy and Wagner active, little used and less as Bogaerts returns ... will (should) the Padres option one of McCoy / Wagner and activate Campusano? Some immediate C insurance and potentially a better bat off the bench option?

Also, if he is in the picture for 2026 ... a positive pat on the back for an excellent EP season and that may uplift his spirits for the winter and going into ST.

Quote from BoosterSD on September 22, 2025, 9:24 am

Quote from fenn68 on September 19, 2025, 5:49 pm

Also, if he is in the picture for 2026 ... a positive pat on the back for an excellent EP season and that may uplift his spirits for the winter and going into ST.

To be honest, still dont trust his bat in critical situations. However, I am not opposed to him sitting on the bench or being used in a non-critical situation at bat as a reward for a good AAA season.

Quote from ultratvfan on September 22, 2025, 10:30 am

Anyone think he might have trade value?

Quote from fenn68 on September 22, 2025, 10:48 am

Quote from ultratvfan on September 22, 2025, 10:30 am

Anyone think he might have trade value?

Yes, catchers with any potential are hard to come by and a lot of teams would want to take the shot that Campusano could be serviceable even if only a back-up. More a prospect (and not Top 100 type) would be the return or a "bench player" also factoring in he is out of options. His EP 2025 kept him of interest and despite his catching woes and 2025 offense in ML ... his past ML offense did show some life.

Having gone down that route ... until the Padres have a catcher to back up Fermin (who will max out at about 120 games if not injured) ... they have to hold on to Campusano and take the upside gamble (he is low cost and controllable). Given injuries happen ... also probably need to get a AAA catcher for call-up needs (either minor league deal or one that could be optioned).

Not the most pressing need to address Campusano's future.

Quote from LynchMob on October 22, 2025, 7:19 am

Just for the record 🙂

https://madfriars.com/2025/10/20/2025-el-paso-chihuahuas-position-player-of-the-year/

I think this sums it up ...

The Padres honored Perlaza as their minor league player of the year, despite an OPS that was 135 points below Campusano’s, but that is a story for another time.

... I sure hope we do get that story ... it better be a doozy ...

Quote from lafnboy13 on October 22, 2025, 5:54 pm

Quote from LynchMob on October 22, 2025, 7:19 am

Just for the record

https://madfriars.com/2025/10/20/2025-el-paso-chihuahuas-position-player-of-the-year/

I think this sums it up ...

The Padres honored Perlaza as their minor league player of the year, despite an OPS that was 135 points below Campusano’s, but that is a story for another time.

... I sure hope we do get that story ... it better be a doozy ...

This might be completely wrong but, IIRC, the org has soured on him since that drug charge in Georgia. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Quote from fenn68 on October 22, 2025, 7:51 pm

Quote from lafnboy13 on October 22, 2025, 5:54 pm

Quote from LynchMob on October 22, 2025, 7:19 am

Just for the record

https://madfriars.com/2025/10/20/2025-el-paso-chihuahuas-position-player-of-the-year/

I think this sums it up ...

The Padres honored Perlaza as their minor league player of the year, despite an OPS that was 135 points below Campusano’s, but that is a story for another time.

... I sure hope we do get that story ... it better be a doozy ...

This might be completely wrong but, IIRC, the org has soured on him since that drug charge in Georgia. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

If that were the case he would have been tossed into a trade a couple of years ago when he still a better prospect value.

He may still have an outside chance with the Padres but everything in order and Preller needs to get a back-up catcher and a call-up catcher for AAA BEFORE moving Campusano who, if nothing else, is low cost. No value in moving him first and get boxed into a desperation move to find a #2.

With Fermin likely locked in as the #1 catcher for the next four years ... Preller will have some options for he #2 catcher (but for only maybe 40 games per season ... still has be low cost).

Quote from LynchMob on November 23, 2025, 9:29 am

Rotowire

Secures contract for '26

NOVEMBER 21, 2025

Campusano signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Padres on Friday.

Analysis

Campusano went 0-for-21 with six walks and 11 strikeouts in the majors during the 2025 regular season, but he continued to show promise in the minors, finishing with a .334/.438/.586 slash line over 466 plate appearances at Triple-A El Paso. The 27-year-old owns a .666 OPS through 178 games in his big-league career and will have a chance to win a spot on San Diego's Opening Day roster this spring.