Sergio Campana may have been one of the more intriguing players on the Bradenton roster in 2022, and with plenty of former high end draft picks also there, that’s saying something.
The outfielder at the moment might be the definition of ‘toolsy player trying to figure things out so he can get out of A-ball’.
Campana owns some of the best speed, not only in the Pirates’ system, but in all of the minors. That speed helped him steal 13 bases in 51 games in 2021 with Bradenton despite batting just .169 in 160 at-bats.
It also allowed him to play some great defense in center field, including this diving catch, one of many great grabs he made over the course of the 2022 season.
"What a play, Sergio Campana!"
The @Pirates center fielder makes an incredible diving catch for @The_Marauders: pic.twitter.com/GVGYPQFteg
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 17, 2022
Despite being a speed first player, Campana actually put up some really good exit velocity numbers early on in the season and hit seven home runs in 2022 after not hitting any previously in his professional career.
The batting line left more to be desired, as he slashed just .210/.332/.323, but did launch 22 extra-base hits, and stole a total of 29 bases. Campana finished third on the Marauders in hits, fourth in home runs while also finishing in the top 10 among all Florida State League hitters in stolen bases.
Sergio Campana with a two run shot with an EV of 105! 2-0 Bradenton #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/E56IcPfNEB
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) July 27, 2022
Campana has a really strong BABIP of .352, so when he puts the ball in play, he’s done well. The issue is the strikeouts, as he finished with the most on the team and fourth highest mark in the FSL. The added year of experience didn’t seem to help, and his strikeout rate went up in 2022 compared to the previous year in Bradenton.
The outfield has a chance to be really crowded in Bradenton/Greensboro, so playing time may get harder and harder to come by. Campana has some really interesting tools, and has some intriguing power for a speed guy, but he’s going to have to put the bat on ball more to move any further than he’s already at.
Highlight of the Day
Sergio Campana’s RBI triple makes it 7-2 Marauders! #xbh pic.twitter.com/ChSWZu2IMi
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) July 27, 2022
Song of the Day
When Anthony forgets to pick a song on a Sunday… – Tim
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Anthony began writing over 10 years ago, starting a personal blog to cover the 2011 MLB draft, where the Pirates selected first overall. After bouncing around many websites covering hockey, he refocused his attention to baseball, his first love when it comes to sports. He eventually found himself here at Pirates Prospects in late 2021, where he covers the team’s four full season minor league affiliates.
Kris landed a helicopter on Cash’s front yard to pitch him that song.
Jared Triolo…why has he not seen time at first base…inquiring minds want to know…
Unrelated to Sergio Campana, but topical for today.
The Dodgers, Braves, and Mets all win 100+ games this season, and all 3 of them are knocked out in short series’ due to small sample size luck. And the 100+ win Yankees may be next.
This is exactly why Pirates should make every attempt to construct a contender for a Wild Card team next year. Sign at least a couple non-bargain basement FA’s. Promote Endy, Priester, Burrows, Gonzales, Davis, etc. when they’re ready to unseat an inferior player regardless of Super 2 status. Trade for prospect depth to fill a hole on MLB roster.
If BC does these things, maybe Pirates could be next year’s surprise team to knock out the Dodgers or Braves from the playoffs?
The whole point of the wild cards is to give everybody a chance. Except Bargain Basement Bob doesn’t want one.
I think we MAY actually see some exciting late September games this year, and NOT just to see if the Pirates can be spoilers…
Hope beats eternal in the heart of the American Bear.
I could not agree more. He is massively toolsy but he has to cut down on his inability to put the ball in play. If he can cut down on the Ks he can be very special.
It’s definitely frustrating to watch him. Great at times. I’ve seen him make a bunch of plays on a level with the video, and watching him run full out on the bases is great. But so little contact . . . .
High A and trade…
Enough for another team to dream on being able to fix the swing?
I doubt you’d get anything in trade.
His swing has a severe wrap. Starts out with his hands further forward than his head, then he has to pull them back and get loaded. Just too much happening up front. I’ve been puzzled they haven’t prevailed on him to get in a better position at the start. As is, it’s obviously not workable.
If he wants to even get to Altoona, he better find a different bus.