Luis Campusano Has a Clear Path to Padres’ No. 2 Catcher Role-Now He Has to Take It
Craig Stammen hasn’t wasted time making his stance clear: Luis Campusano is in the driver’s seat to claim the Padres’ backup catcher job this spring. From the first day of camp, the new San Diego skipper has backed Campusano with the kind of confidence that can change a player’s trajectory. And on Friday morning, that support came with a nod to a fresh start-literally.
“He cut the dreads, got a new haircut, looks good,” Stammen said. “And I know he’s excited about the opportunity-probably the first time in his career that he’s had a little bit of a runway to take control of that job and win it in Spring Training.”
For Campusano, this spring is about more than a new look. It’s about proving he belongs in the big leagues.
A Career at a Crossroads
Campusano’s road to this point has been anything but smooth. He debuted in 2020 at just 21 years old, but the promise he showed in the minors has yet to translate to consistent success in the majors.
His most extensive action came in 2024, when he played 91 games and posted a .227/.281/.361 line with eight home runs and 40 RBI. Defensively, the numbers weren’t kind-his -0.7 fWAR reflected struggles behind the plate that couldn’t be masked by his bat.
By 2025, his role had diminished significantly. Then-manager Mike Shildt kept him off the field defensively, using Campusano exclusively as a designated hitter in 10 appearances.
The results were rough: 21 at-bats, no hits, six walks, and 11 strikeouts. It was clear the organization had cooled on him.
But Stammen-who shared a clubhouse with Campusano as a veteran reliever-has made it clear he hasn’t lost faith. From the moment he took over, he’s emphasized that Campusano, now 27, will get every opportunity to prove he can contribute at the major league level.
Freddy Fermin Is the Starter-but He’ll Need Help
The Padres’ catching picture changed dramatically at last year’s trade deadline when A.J. Preller brought in Freddy Fermin from Kansas City.
Fermin stepped in and immediately became the guy, starting 39 of the team’s final 52 games. Offensively, he was a clear upgrade over veterans Elias Díaz and Martín Maldonado, and he quickly earned the trust of the pitching staff.
Still, Fermin isn’t a workhorse in the mold of a J.T. Realmuto or Willson Contreras.
He’s never played more than 89 games in a season and has always served in a backup or timeshare role. That’s where Campusano comes in.
“To not burn Freddy out, Campy-if he’s the No. 2-he’s got to catch a lot,” Stammen said. “Maybe not exactly equal playing time, we’ll see how it shakes out, but Campy will play a lot.”
Translation: the backup job in San Diego isn’t just a clipboard-and-bullpen-catcher gig. Whoever wins it is going to see real action. And that opens the door for Campusano to carve out a meaningful role-if he can seize it.
Competition in Camp
Of course, nothing is guaranteed. Campusano will have to earn it, and there are other names in the mix.
Blake Hunt and Rodolfo Durán are both in camp and sharing catching duties with Campusano and Fermin. Top prospect Ethan Salas is also getting reps with Padres pitchers, though he’s not expected to break camp with the big-league club.
If Campusano falters, Hunt or Durán could leapfrog him on the depth chart. It’s that simple.
And with Campusano out of minor league options, the stakes are high. If he doesn’t make the team, he’ll need to clear waivers or be traded-there’s no safety net.
No Personal Catchers-Everyone Works With Everyone
Stammen also made it clear he’s not a fan of assigning specific catchers to specific pitchers.
“I think every catcher needs to catch every pitcher, and every pitcher needs to throw to every catcher,” he said. “Now, will there be, ‘Hey, these guys are just way better together?’
That could definitely happen, but you never know. You can’t pigeonhole them.”
That philosophy could benefit Campusano, especially as he tries to rebuild trust with the staff. It’s also going to be important when it comes to handling Matt Waldron and his knuckleball. Stammen said Campusano has already brought a special glove to prepare for catching Waldron, and the team will figure out who’s best suited for the job as camp progresses.
A Glimmer of the Past-and a Chance to Rewrite the Future
It’s worth remembering that Campusano caught Dylan Cease’s no-hitter on July 25, 2024-the second in Padres history. That moment showed what he can do when everything clicks. But inconsistency behind the plate ultimately cost him the trust of the previous coaching staff.
Now, with Stammen at the helm and Kevin Plawecki taking over as catching coach, Campusano gets a clean slate. There’s no talk of moving him to first base, even though he played there some last season. His job is to catch-and to prove he can do it well enough to stick on the roster.
The ABS Era Begins
Adding another wrinkle to the position: the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system will be in play at the big-league level this year. Catchers will have the responsibility of challenging calls, and that puts a premium on game awareness and pitch recognition.
Fortunately for Campusano, he’s no stranger to the system-it’s been used in the minors for years, and he’s got experience with it. Stammen said the team will develop a challenge strategy as spring games get underway.
One Last Shot?
If belief from your manager counts for anything, Campusano is in a good spot. Stammen has gone out of his way to publicly support him, and that kind of endorsement can go a long way in a clubhouse.
This spring feels like a final audition for Campusano. He’s got the opportunity, the backing, and a clear path to a meaningful role on the roster. Now it’s up to him to take it.
Because if he doesn’t? The next chapter of his career may start somewhere else.