Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Profile: Outfielder Sergio Campana

Despite being over looked by many, Sergio Campana is one of the most intriguing outfield prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system

Among the top outfield prospects the Pittsburgh Pirates have there are the likes of Travis Swaggerty, Matthew Fraizer, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Hudson Head, Rodolfo Nolasco, as well as the under-20 group including Lonnie White Jr., Braylon Bishop, and Shalin Polanco.

However, among the large wealth of outfield prospects the Pittsburgh Pirates have in their farm system one stands out for his ability to round the bases at a lightning-quick rate. That player is Sergio Campana.

A 2018 international signee, Campana made his professional debut in 2019. He only had 197 plate appearances but was a solid hitter. He was a contact/on-base kind of batter, posting a .281/.362/.,365 line, .365 wOBA, and 110 wRC+. He didn’t have any home runs and sub-.100 isolated slugging percentage, but was 24/29 in stolen base attempts. Campana’s 22.3% strikeout rate was solid, but his 7.6% walk rate left more to be desired.

Campana spent the 2021 season between the Florida Coast League and Low-A. Campana did great at the FCL, posting a .272/.391/.424 line, .389 wOBA, and 123 wRC+. While his strikeout rate was 27% in 111 plate appearances, Campana upped his walk rate to 12.6% and had a .152 isolated slugging percentage. But his stint at A-Ball Bradenton wasn’t as pretty. He had just a .519 OPS, .264 wOBA, and 52 wRC+. His walk rate remained above 12.5% at 12.8%, but his K-rate skyrocketed to 35.6% in 188 PAs.

Campana is a very fast runner. With 80-grade speed, he’s one of, if not the fastest minor league player. His lightning-fast speed gives him fantastic range out in centerfield, where he grades out as a plus-plus defender. The question remains if he ever becomes more than a Billy Hamilton-type player.

His hit tool and game power tool only project to be 45-grade weapons. There is the potential for more though. The speedy outfielder has a 6’1, 160-pound frame. He has the room to add a few more pounds of muscle, which is reflected in his 50-projected raw power grade. As we saw at the FCL, he did show off some solid power. But he’s yet to do it across a full season. He also has a smooth swing and showed an improved ability to draw walks.

Campana is still a very young talent. 2022 will be just his age-20 season. He’ll likely spend the entire season at Low-A unless he has a Matthew Fraizer like breakout which demands he be promoted.

Sure, the Pirates have better prospects, but a guy with top-of-the-line speed is always a treat to watch. If Campana can manage a useable on-base rate, something between .320 and .350 with an average between .260-.280, he’d be an excellent leadoff type outfielder.