School: Oklahoma State University; Class: Junior
Position: RHP; B/T: L/R
Height: 6-7; Weight: 219
Previously Drafted: Houston Astros, 18th round, 2019
High School: Simi Valley High School
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 55 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Background: California-based Simi Valley High School has pretty length track record of sending players into the professional ranks. The list of big leaguers includes: Jeff Weaver, Jered Weaver, Scott Radinsky, Tim Laker, and Red Barrett. The prep school’s also produced three third round picks (Radinsky, Nick Barnese, and Jonathan Meyer), a fourth rounder (Bryan Anderson), and a fifth rounder (Bob Skube).
Campbell, who was originally drafted by the Astros in the 18th round in 2019, has significantly improved his draft stock over the past three seasons at Oklahoma State University.
The big, hard-throwing right-hander was in the midst of a strong true freshman season before COVID prematurely ended it, throwing 20.1 innings with 22 strikeouts and six walks. Campbell continued to impress over the course of a full season the following year, posting a 102-to-27 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 84.0 innings of work. He spent the summer playing for the Stripes squad for Team USA, tossing another 6.0 innings with seven punch outs and a free pass.
This season Campbell’s production – once again – took another step forward as he posted the best peripherals of his three-year career: he averaged 12.5 strikeouts and just 2.2 walks per nine innings. He finished the year with a 3.82 ERA.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2015, only four Division I hurlers averaged at least 12 strikeouts and between 2.0 and 2.5 walks per nine innings in a season (min. 100 IP): Logan Gilbert, Cooper Hjerpe, Drew Thorpe, and – of course – Justin Campbell.
Not only is the big righty a consistent strike-thrower, but he throws a surprising number of quality strikes – especially for a big 6-foot-7 hurler. Campbell’s fastball isn’t overpowering, sitting in the low 90s, but it plays up given his frame size. There’s also more in the tank as well. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him consistently throwing in the mid-90s if he goes to the right organization – like Cleveland or Seattle. Above-average curveball, an above-average, workable slider, and a solid changeup. Campbell looks like a potential backend starting pitcher. At this point in his career, he’s a better prospect than Giants gigantic right-hander Sean Hjelle, a second round pick in 2018. Relatively high floor.
Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First / Second Round
