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Luis Campusano: A Breakout Year Behind the Plate
21 Oct
Summary
- Campusano posted a 1.7 WAR in 2026, a significant improvement over his prior career.
- He hit .265/.363/.433 with an OPS of .796 in 71 games despite injury.
- Defensive metrics improved, including Throwing Value from -3 to +3.
Luis Campusano experienced a significant breakout in the 2026 season, earning a B+ grade for his performance. Despite a fractured toe that sidelined him from early May until early July, the 28-year-old catcher demonstrated considerable growth. He played in 71 games, finishing with a .265 batting average, a .363 on-base percentage, and a .433 slugging percentage, resulting in an .796 OPS and a 122 OPS+.
Campusano's overall value, measured by WAR, surged to 1.7 in 2026, a marked improvement compared to his previous seasons. His defensive contributions also saw enhancement, with Throwing Value increasing from -3 to +3 and Blocking Value moving from -3 to 0. Although his Framing Value remained low, the impact of this aspect of catching has diminished with recent rule changes.
His clutch hitting was evident in the latter part of the season, including two walk-off hits that secured crucial wins for the Padres. Campusano's performance offers a promising outlook for the team's catching situation heading into the 2027 season.