The Friars have all the tools to be a competitive team and challenge the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West crown. We might be getting ahead of ourselves, but why not, right?
San Diego has stars who will likely produce more efficiently in 2024 than they did last season. However, they'll need the other guys to show up when needed. Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. will provide most of the offense, but there could be a surprise player to help carry the load.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes that player could be San Diego's young catcher Luis Campusano. Reuter has Campusano as one of ten MLB players primed for a home run surge this upcoming season.
Campusano hit .331/.375/.500 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 152 plate appearances after the All-Star break in 2023, and with 400 plate appearances a 20-homer season is well within reach. 2024 Home Run Prediction: 20
Twenty home runs for Campusano may be a stretch; however, it could be possible if he has an expanded role compared to years past. In 2023, he recorded career highs across the board, slashing .319/.356/.491 with a .847 OPS, seven homers, 30 RBIs, 52 hits, and 27 runs in 163 ABs over only 49 games.
Campusano's 2023 season abruptly ended due to a right ankle sprain that saw him land on the 60-day IL.
He hit seven home runs last season, and assuming he will be an everyday starter or in a platoon role, 20 doesn't seem too daunting. Campusano showed power at the plate, he just needs the opportunity to prove himself this year.
Campusano's defense may not be up to par, but if he's contributing on the offensive end, the Padres' will live with that.
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