Who is the catcher for San Diego Padres in 2020 and beyond?

Catcher of the Future

Luis Campusano checks all the boxes. He projects to be an average to above-average defender who has a strong arm with a plus hitting tool, developing power and low strikeout rate.

As the Padres #5 prospect and #86 for MLB, Campusano has made rapid progress over the past season with more projection for him to grow into.

The 2020 season will be crucial for him if there is a chance for him to make the 2021 lineup at any point.

Even if 2022 will be his arrival as a regular contributor, Campusano can move up in the prospect rankings quickly if he is able to show consistency this season to follow up on his breakout 2019.

High-A Lake Elsinore made him their regular catcher in 2019 in his 21-year-old season. He slashed .325/.396/.509 in 442 at-bats with 31 doubles and 15 home runs to go along with 81 RBI.

He walked 52 times and struck out 57 times with a 13% strikeout rate. He is a career .304 hitter at this point with a 15% strikeout rate.

A average to above-average catcher, skills on both sides of the ball with an elite arm and plus hitting would be a welcome arrival in San Diego.

The Hedges/Mejia platoon would be a big problem for a contending team. The Padres decision on this issue will go far to telegraph to the fan base whether they are serious about winning in 2020.