Though there isn’t an official release quite yet, multiple sources are confirming that AAA outfielder Tony Campana is indeed Tyler Colvin’s replacement on the Chicago Cubs. Campana will be with the Cubs in Cincinnati tonight when the team closes its two-game series with the Reds.
Campana, 24 (soon-to-be 25), was a 13th round pick in the 2008 draft out of – ta da – the University of Cincinnati. Because of his size – 5′ 8″, 165 pounds – Campana is not really considered a prospect, though, with his speed, he could conceivably carve out a nice niche as a bench player. Expect to hear the word “gritty” thrown around liberally. He could even become the next Sam Fuld…
Campana was hitting an impressive .342/.383/.442 with eight steals at Iowa after an equally impressive 201o season at AA Tennessee. He’ll rotate into the outfield equation, but only occasionally, as he’s almost certainly behind Reed Johnson on the depth chart.
Query why Campana got the call rather than older, even-more-non-prospect Lou Montanez, who’s also tearing up AAA. If the Cubs were looking for a warm body, Montanez would have been the guy. As it is, I suspect the Cubs like Campana’s speed, and maybe even upside.