Quote from LynchMob on March 11, 2024, 11:33 am

Here's a fantasy-baseball-sleeper-report ...

Looking for a catcher who could hit .300? Campusano might be your man. The 25-year-old accomplished the feat last season, albeit across just 174 plate appearances. A thumb injury derailed Campusano for much of the first half, but he hit .331 with six homers and an .875 OPS after the All-Star break, which prompted the organization to enter 2024 with Kyle Higashioka as a true No. 2 catcher. Campusano rarely strikes out (12.1% in '23), which makes him one of the safest catcher options in the late rounds of drafts.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 12, 2024, 8:32 am

In watching the game against the Mariners yesterday, it seemed like Campy has lost maybe 5-10 pounds looking much more physically impressive in his uniform.  I liked how he moved around behind the plate, blocking several balls that bounced in the dirt in front of him and setting a very steady big target for pitchers to throw to.  On the bases, he moved much more quickly than I've seen him in the past and he still had that hard contact stroke at the plate.  He seems to have refined his stance at the plate to look more like Machado's - hope the results work for him over the course of the season.

Going forward into the 2024 season, I think it's going to be important to keep him healthy and his bat in the lineup.  I can see him playing some 1b and dh to give him a break from the rigor of catching.  If that is possible, I can see him hitting around 12-15 HRs, 50+ RBI with at least a .250 average; won't get many walks but also won't strike out much.  This kind of productive catcher, offensively, the Padres haven't had for quite some time - at least 4-5 years.

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2024, 8:40 am

Quote from Randy Manese on March 12, 2024, 8:32 am

In watching the game against the Mariners yesterday, it seemed like Campy has lost maybe 5-10 pounds looking much more physically impressive in his uniform.  I liked how he moved around behind the plate, blocking several balls that bounced in the dirt in front of him and setting a very steady big target for pitchers to throw to.  On the bases, he moved much more quickly than I've seen him in the past and he still had that hard contact stroke at the plate.  He seems to have refined his stance at the plate to look more like Machado's - hope the results work for him over the course of the season.

Going forward into the 2024 season, I think it's going to be important to keep him healthy and his bat in the lineup.  I can see him playing some 1b and dh to give him a break from the rigor of catching.  If that is possible, I can see him hitting around 12-15 HRs, 50+ RBI with at least a .250 average; won't get many walks but also won't strike out much.  This kind of productive catcher, offensively, the Padres haven't had for quite some time - at least 4-5 years.

I can see a bunch of DH time.

Quote from LynchMob on September 22, 2024, 5:31 pm

From today's DFR ...

Since Luis Campusano arrived from San Diego, El Paso hasn’t lost. After a 1-for-4 night, he has 13 hits in eight games, including a pair of doubles and a home run. More importantly, team officials have praised him for his positive attitude and ability to work with the pitching staff in a challenging situation.

Quote from fenn68 on October 27, 2024, 8:05 am

What is the future of Campusano?

He is still only 26 … has 4 more years of control … and will be just over league minimum in his 1st ARB. As it stands, only he and Sullivan are catchers on the roster (expect Higashioka to re-sign). Salas is maybe a 2026 catching option (maybe not).

In his favor is his offense still can be projected as a strength … a .300 hitter with power in the minors and had a strong offensive season (in limited time) in 2023 for the Padres … no so in 2024 but injuries factor in.

However, against him is that he is a very bad catcher … last season his -7.8 dWAR ranked him 43rd out of 45 catchers with at least 200 PA. That score is consistent with his career numbers.

Padres have a lot of other “holes” going into 2025 and actually beyond but is their a scenario where the Padres start go convert Campusano to a 1B/DH (both will be Padres needs soon) … do moves to keep him off catching any more then back-up / emergency?

IF they believe in Salas for 2026 as the starter … would it make some sense to push for a 2 year deal now for Higashioka (might actually lower his AAV with the extra security) and gamble with Sullivan (out of options) on the 26 man as the back-up allowing Campy to 1B/DH on a more regular basis.

Given the scarcity / cost of FA catchers … and with other priority needs  … hard to see signing a ML catcher even short term.

Time for a strategy to attempt to unleash Campy’s offense by eliminating the burden of catching?

Quote from lafnboy13 on October 27, 2024, 6:51 pm

Quote from fenn68 on October 27, 2024, 8:05 am

What is the future of Campusano?

He is still only 26 … has 4 more years of control … and will be just over league minimum in his 1st ARB. As it stands, only he and Sullivan are catchers on the roster (expect Higashioka to re-sign). Salas is maybe a 2026 catching option (maybe not).

In his favor is his offense still can be projected as a strength … a .300 hitter with power in the minors and had a strong offensive season (in limited time) in 2023 for the Padres … no so in 2024 but injuries factor in.

However, against him is that he is a very bad catcher … last season his -7.8 dWAR ranked him 43rd out of 45 catchers with at least 200 PA. That score is consistent with his career numbers.

Padres have a lot of other “holes” going into 2025 and actually beyond but is their a scenario where the Padres start go convert Campusano to a 1B/DH (both will be Padres needs soon) … do moves to keep him off catching any more then back-up / emergency?

IF they believe in Salas for 2026 as the starter … would it make some sense to push for a 2 year deal now for Higashioka (might actually lower his AAV with the extra security) and gamble with Sullivan (out of options) on the 26 man as the back-up allowing Campy to 1B/DH on a more regular basis.

Given the scarcity / cost of FA catchers … and with other priority needs  … hard to see signing a ML catcher even short term.

Time for a strategy to attempt to unleash Campy’s offense by eliminating the burden of catching?

I had this same thought last year. If his bat returns DH/1B would fill a huge need.

Quote from Randy Manese on October 28, 2024, 7:59 am

For a defense-first position, hard to defend Campusano's catching skills as he has always been considered an offense-first catcher.  He had a much better year defensively in 2023 and early in the year in 2024, was bouncing around and doing a great job of blocking pitches in the dirt and way out of the zone.  When he got injured, both his defense and offense suffered and he never got back to the very early part of the season when he was better  stats-wise than Higgy.  Campy has put in a lot of work at getting better at communicating with pitchers and calling a game and has gained praise from Padres evaluators in doing so; unfortunately, he seems to lack the agility and arm to ever be more than a part-time catcher.

Long term, I think he again shares the catching spot with Higgy until Salas comes up in 2026.  If his bat regains its thump (he has a good read of the strike zone and good barrel and hard hit rates), agree he could also be on the short side of a platoon at 1b and DH at a relatively low cost.   This has value to a team that can't pay much for its bench reserves.   Once his salary starts to exceed that value, however, going to look for another low cost catching alternative and actually may have one in-house in Brandon Valenzuela.  (Note:  if you really were looking for a defense-first catcher, Padres have one of the best ones in the minors - Chandler Seagle.  Unfortunately, he is severely offensively challenged and in comparison makes Hedges look good at the plate.)  Let's see if Valenzuela ends up on the 40 man in November.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on October 28, 2024, 8:59 am

If he hits they'll find a spot for him. I wouldn't be so sure he can make the transition to 1B. He got 3 innings in the majors this year. He hasn't played any 1B in the minors the last 3 years. There was some very limited exposure before that.

One thing that could help him out would be the automated strike zone making it to the majors. It would take some pressure off him as a receiver if it happens. Who knows if/when that will happen though.

Quote from fenn68 on October 28, 2024, 9:29 am

Given the near term lack of alternatives to upgrade catcher at a reasonable price ... but the desire for the Padres desire to be a legit contender in that same near term ... seems the have to hold on to Campusano BUT also need to add a #1 catcher upgrade (probably defensive plus type and let the rest of the line-up carry the offense. Maybe that is Salas in 2026 but we will see if that becomes 2027 (he is still very young and everyone is not Merrill).

I really don't see Campusano cleaning up his defense in the next few seasons (probably not ever) ... so working him in more at DH (if not 1B) might create the most value via his bat. He only has one more option year but don't think much value in sending him to AAA.

Given the weak bench ... the idea of a 3 catcher roster with a #1 ... a serviceable back-up who also can hit a little ... and then Campy as maybe #2 but more a DH might fit in the short run.