Chicago Cubs: Is Tony Campana An Everyday Player?
When the Chicago Cubs traded Marlon Byrd to the Boston Red Sox, many were hoping that it meant a Brett Jackson callup was in the near future.
But the Cubs are sticking to their plan for Jackson, keeping him in Iowa and instead choosing to hold down centerfield with multiple players. Since Byrd left, though, one player has been taking on the bulk of the playing time out in centerfield: Tony Campana.
Opinions are kind of split on Campana. Some view him as an exciting player to watch, while some simply think of him as the North Side’s latest folk hero, in the way that Sam Fuld used to be.
Campana made 155 plate appearances with the Cubs last year, and stole 24 bases in 26 attempts. He started the year in Iowa after a disappointing spring, but made the trip back to Chicago with the trade of Byrd.
Since returning, Campana has given the Cubs a dose of how he can help a ballclub. Obviously, his biggest, and possibly only depending on where you stand, is his speed, and he’s used it. When he’s not stealing bases (5-for-5 on the season), he’s causing problems for the defense, like botched pickoff attempts.
Campana has played in just seven games with the Cubs this season but he’s made an impact. He’s hitting .421, including a .533 BABIP, and has a .450 on-base percentage. Of course, those numbers aren’t going to last for anyone, especially Campana, but it’s a nice start. Then there’s that whole “fastest player in baseball” thing.
He continued to display that when he beat out a throw from Hunter Pence to score on a sacrifice fly on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was a ball hit to shallow right-centerfield and I doubt any other player in baseball scores on it.
The question that is going to be asked about Campana, especially with Jackson making the jump to the majors at some point this season, is whether or not he is an everyday player, or a nice speedy guy to have come off the bench. That’s where opinions tend to get divided.
Campana doesn’t bring much of anything to the lineup as far as power goes. That’s not a secret. It also remains to be seen how good of a hitter he can be as far as his consistency goes. He does need to strike out less and walk much more if he wants to be taken seriously as a hitter.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to see Campana staying in his role as an everyday outfielder, especially when the time comes that Jackson is ready for big league action. He doesn’t quite have the bat you want out of an everyday guy. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a place on this team.
Campana would be fantastic as a guy off the bench, given the fact that he’s a great teammate on top of his great speed in a late inning, pinch run situation. No matter the situation, he’s fun to watch and should continue to prove to be an asset for the Chicago Cubs.
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I can’t argue with Campana’s hot start since replacing Byrd. However, I don’t see him as an everyday guy.
He has he moments, like we’ve seen in Philly this weekend, specifically when he rattled Halladay from his rhythm on Friday night.
But I think Campana is still overmatched at the plate, which is evident when you fairly judge that several of his hits have been seeing-eye singles.
That’s not his fault, of course, and I’m not knocking the guy either. By all accounts he’s a good teammate, and his world-class speed does add value to the club–I just think it’s best suited off the bench as a role player.
Also, your reference to Sam Fuld is spot on in my opinion. Campana’s early success has been sensationalized because he’s a fan favorite.
But I wonder if that changes when Campy’s numbers fall back to earth?
The easy answer to this is no. Why Cub fans fall in love with white guys that “hustle” is beyond me. Campana is a 4th or 5th outfielder. 300 ABs is plenty against right handers, used as a pinch runner, and situational defensive replacement. He doesn’t walk enough, and has ZERO power. He’s not an everyday player.
How can he “take more walks”? Any pitcher with a brain will try to throw the ball right down the middle and let him hit it as far as he can instead of walking him. The thing is, he needs to swing at strikes and not give away any possible walks, and I haven’t seen him swing at balls 2 feet outside like Soriano or Soto….. I love the fact the Cubs finally have someone who the question is not “if” he is going to try and steal, but “when”. Who’s the last guy like that who played for the Cubs?