Ranter's Rant: Speaking to the Prospect of Prospects, Ryan Campos
Prospect Ryan Campos acclimating following initial professional spring training with the Arizona Cardinals.
Saying farewell to the unparalleled reign of Yadier Molina in St. Louis was no joking matter. But with the much-anticipated 2022 season, the Cardinals kicked off a new era. Enter: the post-Molina era.
With Molina's legacy undoubtedly high, it's no wonder the Cardinals showed little interest in drafting catchers or investing in free agency. That's all changed now. St. Louis has been padding up their minor league system with a surprising number of top-notch backstops. Four, to be exact, according to MLB.com, each worth keeping an eye on.
Among them is none other than Ryan Campos – the fourth-round draftee from the Cardinals' magic bag in the 2024 MLB Draft. Hailing from Arizona State, Campos was twice a finalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. The Cardinals put their money where their mouth was, shelling out $669,300 for the exact slot to bring him aboard. Assigned to Low-A Palm Beach, Campos slashed .319/.396/.407 over 26 games to wrap up the 2024 season.
"My initial offseason was golden. I was spending quality time focusing on every aspect of my game and refining my mechanics in the batter's box. I was all about getting comfortable with the one-knee-down behind the dish. My first Spring Training was a blast. It was fantastic to work alongside seasoneds who can teach me a thing or two and also test out what I've been working on against some real competition," Camposshared with Redbird Rants.
It's safe to say Campos was in uncharted territory when it came to the one-knee-down setup behind the plate. A technique that's a common sight in the majors, it helps catchers get low and improve framing. In fact, every single starting catcher who started on Opening Day this year worked out of this setup, according to unesp한ered research.
Adjusting to pro ball lifestyle is no piece of cake, and catching is no exception. For Campos, it meant learning a brand-new pitching staff, stepping up to more advanced pitching, and perfecting the intricacies of his new defensive position.
"As for the grind of everyday play, which involves six games a week, that's proved to be the most noticeable challenge for me. More emphasis has been on the recovery and mental side of the game. But let me tell you, I've had an absolute blast playing every day" Campos revealed.
With the 2025 season underway, Campos finds himself in High-A Peoria. Everyone's fingers are crossed for a strong season that'll set him up for a knock on the door of Double-A Springfield by the end of 2025. Yet, Campos seems to be keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
"I'm just focusing on the present, trying to get better each day. I'm immensely fortunate to be part of such a fantastic organization like the St. Louis Cardinals, and my ultimate goal is to help the team bring home some more world championships," Campos added.
Campos has racked up 11 games for Peoria this season and boasts an impressive .810 OPS along with one home run, four RBIs, and 11 walks. He's demonstrating both his hitting ability and plate discipline – a promising start indeed. What's next for campos? Your guess is as good as ours. But one thing's for sure, he's a prospect we'll be keeping a close eye on.
Here are two potential sentences that follow the given text:
- While focusing on refining his skills as a catcher, Ryan Campos has shown significant progress in adopting the one-knee-down setup, a technique commonly employed by MLB catchers to improve framing.
- With his strong start in High-A Peoria, Ryan Campos continues to impress, leading the way for the Cardinals' prospective catchers in the MLB, showcasing both his hitting ability and plate discipline.
