LA Angels Top Prospect Countdown: #13 Vicente Campos

The LA Angels have one of the worst farm systems in baseball. However, they have a good mix of prospects who will help soon and some with star potential down the road. In this series, we will evaluate each of the Angels Top 30 prospects. Today, it’s pitcher Vicente Campos.

The LA Angels are always willing to take a chance on a promising prospect. They did exactly that when they claimed right-handed pitcher Vicente Campos off the waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Campos was originally signed by the Seattle Mariners back in 2009 as a 16-year old international prospect. However, he has been around the league since then, spending time in the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and now Angels’ system. He has been a victim of the injury bug throughout his career. He missed the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery. Campos rebounded nicely and seemed to be on his way to the majors until he fractured his right ulnar. This is what led to Arizona’s waiving of him and gave the Angels the opportunity to claim him.

When Campos isn’t on the disabled list, he has the stuff to be a great starting pitcher. His fastball rests in the mid-90’s and is sneaky with its movement. His curveball and changeup are both great in the minors, and more than likely will be exceptional pitches in the big leagues. The best part of Campos’ game is his command and control, as he throws all of these pitches for strikes often.

Campos already has had a taste of the majors (5.2 innings pitches, two earned runs, and four strikeouts in his lone appearance) and is ahead of schedule health-wise. His comeback has not been very easy though. Campos has pitched one game in Single-A Advanced and has four starts for Triple-A Salt Lake. In those five games, Campos has posted a 9.00 ERA in 16 innings pitched. He has given up four home runs along with walking 14 batters to only 12 strikeouts. 

Campos was a low-risk signing. He does still offer the potential of a reward as well. This season is not what anyone thought would happen for Campos, who realistically could have made some starts in Anaheim if all went well this year. However, Campos seems like a different pitcher since his injury, and whether or not he will return to the majors is anyone’s guess right now.