Is Luis Campusano the answer for the San Diego Padres at the catcher position? 

The 2025 season is around the corner, but the San Diego Padres are still trying to fill some holes on the roster.

It is well known that the Padres are in search of a left fielder and have no real viable option at the DH position. Some would argue the team is also in need of a starting pitcher for the 2025 season.

Then, there is the catcher position.

Kyle Higashioka agreed to a contract a few weeks ago with the Texas Rangers. A.J. Preller stated that the team made a competitive offer to retain the backstop, but he signed for more money to play in Texas for the next two seasons. That leaves the Padres with only two catchers on the 40-man roster- Luis Campusano and Brett Sullivan.

Sullivan is a converted infielder and made his debut with the Padres in 2024. He is, at best, an option as a backup. There just isn’t much upside.

Campusano was heralded as the catcher of the future before the 2024 season. He ended the year in the minors but did not even make the playoff roster, as the Padres chose to put Elias Diaz on the roster. Diaz never even played in the playoffs, as the Padres relied upon Higashioka heavily. Campusano was not even a consideration.

That is a troubling sign for Luis Campusano as the team finally grew tired of his defensive issues.

The right-handed hitting Campusano is a free swinger and a plus bat. There is developing power, and we’ve seen signs of life in his swing. But it will take more than that to stick in the majors.

His defense has always been an issue. It got better at some point, but there are still problems behind the dish that will likely never improve. Pitchers just don’t seem to like throwing to the catcher. The Padres are getting that sense. And the writing was on the wall in the 2024 playoffs. There are even reports that the team is dangling Campusano this winter to assess his trade value.

But now, with no viable option at catcher and nothing of real interest on the free-agent market, the team may need to roll with Campusano,

Players like Yasmani Grandal and James McCann are out there on the free agent market, but nothing of any real value.

One option is trading for a catcher, but this is a position of weakness around the league. The Pirates possess three viable options at the position, but it remains to be seen if the Padres can facilitate a trade with Pittsburgh.

At this point, Luis Campusano is the starting catcher. Things can dramatically change in the coming weeks. A.J. Preller historically works late in the winter. After January 15, when Roki Sasaki can sign during the 2025 international signing period, things may clear up for the Padres in terms of roster construction.

Luis Campusano is 26 years old. It would be foolish to write him off at this point. The right-handed hitter needs to work harder, though. Campusano must improve to stick as an everyday player in the league. Plain and simple. There is still time for him to improve his receiving skills. The ball is in his court.

As for the Padres, they need a backup plan behind the plate until Ethan Salas is ready. The competitive window is open now. They cannot continue to roll out an incompetent catcher each day and realistically plan on competing. Something has to give.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.