The San Diego Padres drafted catcher Luis Campusano in the second round of the 2017 draft. He moved through the minors quickly, reaching the Padres in 2020 for a brief look. Around injuries and returns
to the minor leagues, Campusano worked up the Padres prospect list with high hopes for his career.
During all of his time in the major leagues in 2022 and 2023, Campusano flashed moments of success combined with improving plate discipline. Then in 2024, his offense at the major league level took a step back and his defense regressed as well. Although never more than an average defender behind the plate, Campusano showed mental lapses and technique mistakes that made him spend more and more time either on the bench or in the minor leagues.
In 2025, Campusano knocked the ball all around Triple-A, with 25 doubles, 25 home runs and 95 RBI, but was 0-21 at the major league level in his multiple brief appearances.
What is his future?
In 2021, Campusano was the Padres #3 prospect with average ratings for defense and an above average bat. It is difficult to understand what has gone wrong. The organization has continued to invest time and money in Campusano, signing him to a guaranteed $900,000 contract for 2026 with president of baseball operations A.J. Preller quoted as saying- “He’s going to be in our mix next year, for sure,” Preller said last month, per Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I’m hoping his experiences this year are going to help him overall as a player.”
The experience he spoke of was the wipe-out season he put up in El Paso. The question is why has he not been able to translate that to the major league field. The inconsistent and short opportunities can be explained by the fact that his skills as a catcher have regressed and having him handle a pitching staff for a contending team is not an attractive option.
If the organization had any faith in him, signing Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado last season would have provided him the perfect opportunity. Neither of the veterans were able to hit and Campusano should have been able to take the back up job as his own. But he never caught a single game for the Padres, all his at-bats were as a DH.
So what is his role now?
Preller seemed to indicate that he would be given a chance in the spring to show his improvement. Campusano is currently in the Dominican Republic, playing Winter Ball with Tigres de Licey. He is not the DH or the first baseman. He is catching and it will be up to him to prove that he can stick at catcher and is working to improve his game.
The past two Padres managers, Bob Melvin and Mike Shildt, both showed they had no confidence in Campusano as a game manager or defensive partner to the pitching staff. With the acquisition of Freddy Fermin at last season’s trade deadline, Campusano no longer has any pressure to be the starting catcher for the Padres. Being good enough to back up Fermin, as well as DH, could be the role Preller envisions for him going forward.
Campusano is out of options and either makes the major league roster in 2026 or has to clear waivers to be sent to the minors. The other option is for Preller to give him a fresh start with another organization. Trading him seems the best option if there is no improvement in his production.
Do better with Salas
Whatever happens this offseason with Campusano, the Padres need to examine what role they played in his stalled development. Did they move him too quickly? Was too much pressure put on a young catcher?
The Padres still have Ethan Salas as a prospect in the system. Despite losing almost all of 2025 due to injury, he can still be given the proper guidance and time to develop where Campusano has not. Hopefully, Preller and the organization can get something out of their investment in Campusano and learn from the experience so Salas doesn’t repeat it.
