October baseball is both a depth and talent exam, and the Padres have just given themselves another answer sheet. By adding Triple-A home run king Luis Campusano to their taxi squad, San Diego not only got an emergency backstop, but also a right-handed power bat with actual thunder and the kind of hot-hand momentum that can turn a game, or a series, on one swing. Taxi-squad movements seldom make headlines, but the logic here is straightforward: protect the catching room, strengthen the bench, and keep a true run-producer within reach if the bracket shifts.
It also indicates how the Padres want to play the margins. October is all about matchups and micro-advantages – one pinch-hit in the seventh, one sacrifice fly in the ninth, and one ball that ultimately hits the seats. Carrying Campusano, a proven Triple-A banger, provides San Diego with options: late-inning platoon leverage, injury insurance behind the plate, and a hitter who has spent the last two months in the middle of rallies. Even if he never gets activated, he’ll spend the week consuming the same scouting reports, attending side sessions, and maintaining in touch with the staff, so when the call comes, he’ll be entering a familiar world.
Padres add Triple-A home run king to taxi squad ahead of October.
Down below, power was uncontested. This season, Campusano set a franchise record with 25 home runs and also had 25 doubles, 95 RBIs, 83 runs, and a triple. It was not simply pop; it was consistent manufacturing.
The slash line confirms the eye test:.336/.441/.595 for the year. Campusano finished strong, hitting safely in 13 of 14 September games and batting.377 for the month following a ridiculously good August:.418 with eight home runs, six doubles, and 26 RBIs. That is the definition of arriving in form.
Life in the major leagues has been more challenging. Campusano has a.240/.294/.372 batting line with 17 home runs and 77 RBIs in 178 MLB games, the kind of erratic track record you’d expect from a bat-first catcher who has bounced between the majors and Triple-A while learning the league and the intricacies of running a staff. For all the damage he’s done to Triple-A pitching, the full translation at the highest level is still pending — but the underlying tools and recent trend line suggest there’s more to be unlocked.
That’s what makes this taxi-squad spot intriguing. If the Padres’ key catchers remain healthy, the move will still benefit their preparation and flexibility. If they don’t, or if a late-inning spot calls for right-handed thump—Campusano is a ready-made answer with fresh legs and a bat that has spent its entire life scoring runs. October does not offer storybook arcs, but it enjoys cameos. If this one gets a scene, he’ll have the opportunity to make the loudest possible introduction.
Leave a Reply