Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 6 Jacob Campbell
December 21, 2018
Jacob Campbell, a Janesville Craig product, was selected in the 36th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs, but opted to hold true on his commitment to the University of Illinois, where he has a chance to make an early impact on both sides of the ball. His status as one of the top-ranked backstops in the region, and has buzz as a potential draftee, helped him to become the No. 6 most-viewed profile on our countdown.
The Illini backstop is a physical catcher who’s an especially advanced defender. He explodes out of the crouch to produce throws down to second that are capable of topping 87 mph, as evidenced by his performance at last February’s Super 60. In the batter’s box, Campbell uses his physicality to generate hard gap-to-gap contact off a level plane. He was arguably the top recruit headed to Champaign that heralded a No. 22 recruiting class ranking by D1Baseball.com.
NO. 6: JACOB CAMPBELL
Jacob Campbell
Class of 2018 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2018
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: OF
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High School: Janesville CraigState: WI
- Summer Team: Hitters
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Height: 6-0Weight: 200lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Videos
(7/11/17)
Player News
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- College Crosscheck: MLB Draft League candidates - Nov 30, 2020
- College Crosscheck: Illinois Fighting Illini - Nov 9, 2020
- Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 6 Jacob Campbell - Dec 21, 2018
- Wisconsin 2018 Rankings Updated: Final Edition - Jun 19, 2018
- MLB Draft: Wisconsin Day 3 - Jun 7, 2018
- Wisconsin Scout Blog - Jun 7, 2018
- D1 Sectionals: Janesville Craig Punches Ticket to State - Jun 5, 2018
- Wisconsin Draft Preview - May 30, 2018
- High School Crosscheck: Week 12 - May 7, 2018
- Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 2 Janesville Craig - Mar 26, 2018
- Super 60: Complete Wisconsin Analysis - Mar 5, 2018
- 2018 Super 60 Highlights - Feb 7, 2018
- Super 60: Statistical Analysis - Feb 6, 2018
- Super 60 Spotlight: Jacob Campbell - Jan 9, 2018
- PBR Podcast: Big Ten 2018 Recruiting Classes - Dec 21, 2017
- Top 10 Player Profiles of 2017: No. 8 Jacob Campbell - Dec 20, 2017
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- PBR Podcast: 2017 Area Code Games - Aug 21, 2017
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- PBR ProCase - Midwest: Statistical Analysis - Jul 12, 2017
- PBR+ Badger State Battle: Game Recaps - Jul 9, 2017
- PBR ProCase - Midwest: Preview - Jul 9, 2017
- Wisconsin Scout Blog - Jun 12, 2017
- Preseason Power 25: No. 1 Janesville Craig - Mar 27, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason ID: Top Overall Prospects - Mar 24, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Catching Analysis - Mar 20, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Stats Story - Feb 28, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Quick Hits - Feb 27, 2017
- PBR Future Games: Wisconsin Position Players - Aug 18, 2016
- Q&A with Illinois Commit Jacob Campbell - Aug 17, 2016
- Future Games Spotlight: C Jacob Campbell - Jul 21, 2016
- The Hotlist: Top Position Players Coming To Future Games - Jul 20, 2016
- PBR+ Badger State Tournament: Game Recaps - Jul 10, 2016
- The Hotlist: Teams To Watch In 2016 - Mar 9, 2016
- Milwaukee Preseason ID: Stats Posted - Feb 29, 2016
- An Early Look At The 2016 Season - Jan 13, 2016
- The Hotlist: 2018s On The Rise - Sep 16, 2015
- 2018 Overall Rankings Update: Wisconsin Recap - Sep 15, 2015
- IL/WI 2018 Top Prospect Games: Top Overall Prospects - Aug 23, 2015
- 2018 Top Prospect Games: Catching Analysis - Aug 17, 2015
- Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 16 Janesville Craig - Mar 12, 2015
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Top 2018 Prospects - Mar 4, 2015
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Catching Analysis - Feb 23, 2015
- Underclass Invitational: Top Overall Prospects - Feb 17, 2015
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Stats Posted - Feb 9, 2015
- Underclass Invitational: Catching Analysis - Feb 9, 2015
TOP-10 MOST-VIEWED PROFILES
Scouting Report
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.
8/9/16 - Verbally committed to Illinois.