Jacob
Campbell

One of the country’s premier defensive catchers, Campbell can dazzle behind the dish with consistent 1.90 POP times and on-the-money accuracy. With super short footwork, a quick hop-n-fire and a plus arm he’s a run-game stopper who also receives exceptionally well. With ample flexibility in his lower half, he sets up low and quiet which allows him to get under the low fastball and frame into the zone. He routinely beats the ball to the spot with his soft and strong hands, instead of chasing pitches as most other collegiate catchers are prone to do. As superior his defensive skills, he has been challenged offensively to this point in college. He’s a sub-.200 career hitter in 132 at-bats and consistent, hard contact has been hard to come by. His trigger is a bit slow and 90 mph fastballs can overmatch him. While he recognizes spin, he’s unable to adjust his swing. Regardless of his current offensive shortcomings, Campbell has premium defensive abilities, and those skills have value in the draft (think Cooper Johnson, 6th round to DET in 2019 as a college comparable). With strong production in the batter’s box this spring, Campbell has the potential to become a helium riser for the 2021 draft.

6/6/18 - Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 36th Round.

5/5/18 - Illinois commit. No. 2 ranked prospect in Wisconsin’s Class of 2018, No. 101 Overall. 6-foot, 200-pound, muscular, durable frame, defined lower half and advanced forearm/hand strength. Continued to solidify himself as one top catchers in the the 2018 class with a strong defensive showing on Saturday afternoon. With plus arm strength behind the plate (87 mph at the Super 60), routinely put throws at infielder's chests from knees and out of chute during pregame. Repeats a short arm action from over-the-top slot, throws carry with ease. Advanced footwork, powerful first movements, stays low, gains ground, consistent, pop time ranging between 1.95-1.98 in between innings, popped a 1.79 during pregame. Defensive reputation preceded him as opposition running game was immediately shut down. Was not afraid to throw behind runners at any base, kept runners honest. Moves athletically behind the plate, blocks everything he can get to and keeps it within arms reach. Strong receiver, natural movement, remains quiet. Offensively, right-handed hitter, crouched, slightly open setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, good balance throughout. Level barrel path, gap-to-gap type hitter. Saw nothing but fastballs and breaking balls away. Recognized this early on, making hard contact to the opposite field in three of four at-bats. Still much more strength to be incorporated to the opposite field. Finished game 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, was robbed of a hit on a diving play by the right fielder.

2/4/18 - Illinois recruit. 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher, muscular, durable frame with defined lower half and extremely strong forearms/hands. Established himself as one of the top defensive catchers in the Midwest, if not the country. Showed plus arm strength, registering an event-best 87-mph from the crouch, which tied the all-time Super 60 record with former first-rounder Justin O'Conner (Cowan HS, IN; 2009). Advanced, directional footwork, athletic out of the chute, stays low, gains ground well; consistent strikes on the bag, pop times ranging between 1.86-1.94. Athleticism shined in the 60, running a 6.87, laser-timed. Did not hit at the Super 60 due to an injured hand, but can safely say that his bat is on par with his defensive prowess.

7.11.17 - Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 5 in Wisconsin and No. 111 in the PBR Overall Ranks. 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, durable frame and strength in the forearms and lower half. One of the top defensive backstops in the Midwest. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Quick out of the crouch with fluid footwork, gains ground towards second base. Active blocker. Popped 1.87-1.98 and threw 80 mph from the crouch. Accurate throws with carry. Offensively, crouched slightly open setup. Short toe tap stride with good balance. Line drive hitter works gap to gap with a short, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 97 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.11. 

7.7.17 - Illinois commit. 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a muscular frame. Advanced defensive tools behind the plate. Soft hands receiving with flexibility in the lower half. Strong, accurate arm behind the plate, throws show easy carry to the bag. Popped 1.94 between innings.

5.6.17 - Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 7 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018. 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, durable frame. Defensively has a strong, accurate arm. Popped 1.93-2.00 in pregame. Strong hands receiving, ability to stick pitches. Active blocker, moves well behind the plate. At the plate has a fast bat with a short path and uphill swing path. 1-3 in game with a single and a run scored. Will receive draft interest this coming summer in what is shaping up to be an intriguing Wisconsin Class of 2018.

2.26.17 - Illinois commit. Added more strength to his frame, 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced, spread out setup. Short linear stride with an explosive lower half and good balance. Fluid rhythm with a short swing path and extension thru contact. Showed strength thru contact with 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. Above average runner for his position running a 7.02 60 yard dash. Defensively was the best catcher at the event. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with carry out of the crouch. Athletic defender with soft hands. Quick out of the crouch with fluid footwork. Popped an event best 1.94-2.01 and threw 82 mph from the crouch.

8.9.16 - Verbally committed to Illinois. 

Future Games 2016 - Committed to Illinois shortly after Future Games. Strong stocky build with sloped shoulders, 5-foot-11, 195-pound catcher, durable athletic build. 6.98 runner in the 60. Defensively is athletic and quick out of the chute, posted pop times at 1.97-2.01. Plus arm strength for his age, 83 mph out of the crouch, carries well to target. Offensively showed bat strength in BP, barrel control, hard opposite field contact. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2.28.16 - 5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher, physically advanced, strong build, high level catching prospect. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance. Well-above average bat speed, short path, hard contact, strong bat, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap type hitter. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, typical catchers arm action, highly accurate with carry, 81 mph out of the crouch. Showed soft hands receiving, athletic receiver, can get out of crouch well, active feet. 7.17 runner in the 60. Posted pop times at 1.94-2.05. High follow 2018 catching prospect.

7.20.15 - Muscle bound, 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher, physical build, typical catcher’s body composition. Advanced defensive catcher, short over the top arm, carries well with accuracy, stays on line, 75 mph from the crouch. Hands are soft, quick athletic footwork, gets out of the crouch well with natural catcher actions. Some of the best pop times at the event, ranged 2.01-2.09.  Physical bat, balanced setup, wide stance, short stride, good balance. Bat strength, produces hard contact, occasional pop, can get more out of lower half, gap to gap type hitter. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee.

7.15.15 - 5-foot-10, 180-pound, athletic build, catcher. Showed advanced actions for his age behind the plate, good blocking ability, carry on throws, pop-times ranged from 2.07- 2.22.

2.8.15 - Naturally strong build, solid lower half, 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher, advanced physicality for age. Defensively showed advanced arm strength, 76 mph out of the crouch, short over the top slot, quick release, standard catcher’s arm action. Footwork is directional, gains ground, posted pop times at 2.05-2.18. Ran the 60 at 7.51, laser timed. Offensively hits from a tall setup, slightly open, short stride, can get more out of lower half. Strong, muscled swing, made loud contact, level path, bat speed present, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present advanced strength puts him as one of the top catchers in Wisconsin’s 2018 class.

1.18.15 - 5-foot-10, 180-pound freshman catcher, strong lower half, advanced strength for age. Defensively showed plus arm strength for his age, 77 mph arm from the crouch, showed carry, short over the top slot, accurate arm, stayed on line. Posted some of the best pop times at the event, ranged from 1.98-2.12. Showed some softness receiving the baseball, footwork had quickness, good transfer. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, smooth loading action, stride slightly dives, strong balance through contact. Flashed power potential, excellent bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee, gap to gap approach. Well above average runner for a catcher at his age, 7.32 runner in the 60. High follow in Wisconsin’s 2018 class.