Luis Campusano is getting a fresh start, and it couldn’t come at a more critical time in his career. For years, he’s been on a rollercoaster ride in the majors, but now, under new management, he’s finally being handed the reins—or rather, the catcher’s mitt—to prove himself as the San Diego Padres’ No. 2 catcher. Manager Craig Stammen has been vocal about his belief in Campusano since taking the helm, repeatedly highlighting his hard work and success in Triple-A last season. During a recent media session, Stammen even joked about Campusano’s new haircut, saying, ‘He cut the dreads, looks sharp, and I know he’s ready to seize this opportunity.’ But here’s where it gets interesting: this might be the first time in Campusano’s career that he’s been given a clear runway to take control of his role and truly make it his own.
Campusano’s journey to this point hasn’t been easy. Drafted by the Padres in 2020 at just 21, he saw his most significant playing time in 2024, appearing in 91 games with a modest .227/.281/.361 slash line. His -0.7 fWAR highlighted defensive struggles, and despite hitting eight home runs and driving in 40 runs, his performance behind the plate left much to be desired. Former manager Mike Shildt seemed to lose faith, relegating Campusano to DH duties in 2025, where he went hitless in 21 at-bats. It was a low point, but now, with Stammen at the helm, Campusano is being given a second chance—one he desperately needs to capitalize on.
Stammen’s faith in Campusano isn’t just talk; it’s rooted in their shared history. When Stammen was a pitcher in the Padres’ bullpen, he saw firsthand Campusano’s potential. Now, as manager, he’s made it clear that the 27-year-old will have every opportunity to prove he belongs in the majors. But this isn’t just about Campusano—it’s also about balancing the workload for Freddy Fermin, the team’s new front-line catcher. Fermin, acquired at last season’s trade deadline, has never been a full-time starter and maxed out at 89 games last year. Stammen admits, ‘To keep Freddy fresh, Campy needs to step up and catch a lot.’
And this is the part most people miss: the Padres’ catching depth chart is more complex than it seems. Blake Hunt and Rodolfo Duran are also in the mix, sharing duties with Fermin and Campusano during spring training. Top prospect Ethan Salas is in the picture too, though he’s likely further down the line. If Campusano falters, Hunt or Duran could easily slide into the No. 2 role. It’s a high-stakes competition, and Campusano’s performance will determine not just his role but his future with the team—he’s out of options and could be traded or waived if he doesn’t deliver.
Stammen has also taken a bold stance on catcher-pitcher pairings, stating, ‘Every catcher should work with every pitcher. You can’t pigeonhole them.’ This approach is both practical and controversial. While it ensures flexibility—especially in case of injuries—it also challenges the traditional notion of building chemistry between specific batteries. Take Matt Waldron, for example. All catchers will work with him, but only the best will handle his knuckleball. Campusano has already brought a glove specifically for Waldron, but whether he’ll be the one to master the challenge remains to be seen.
Campusano’s resume does include a highlight: he caught Dylan Cease’s no-hitter on July 25, 2024, the second in Padres history. Yet, his inconsistency behind the plate has overshadowed such moments. Now, with Stammen and new catching coach Kevin Plawecki in his corner, he has a clean slate. There’s been no talk of moving him to first base, despite Stammen noting he played there last season. His focus is clear: catch well enough to secure the backup job. If he can’t, his time with the Padres could be over.
Adding to the pressure, this season introduces the ABS system to the majors, which will likely make catchers more accountable for judging balls and strikes. Fortunately, Campusano has experience with the system from his time in the minors, but it’s still a new challenge. Stammen plans to develop a strategy as spring progresses, but the responsibility will largely fall on Campusano’s shoulders.
If confidence and belief can translate into performance, Campusano should thrive. Stammen has gone above and beyond to publicly support him, calling this his ‘last and best chance.’ The question now is: will Campusano rise to the occasion? Is this the year he finally puts it all together, or will he fall short once again? Let us know what you think in the comments—do you believe Campusano can turn his career around, or is this opportunity too little, too late?
