ANAHEIM, Calif. — Gustavo Campero's long-awaited journey of playing baseball in the major leagues became a reality earning his first hit on Monday night,
Before today's game, I had the chance to speak with Gustavo Campero who had his first MLB hit on an RBI single.
— Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) September 18, 2024
"I’ve made a lot of hits in my career. But getting my first here in the big leagues, that part was to me was amazing." @TaylorBlakeWard @SportingTrib
Campero's journey to the big leagues has been filled with adversity after playing seven years in the minors. During the 2022 season, he played in six games while being activated for nine days during the season, serving as the Double-A Rocket City reserve catcher.
Gustavo Campero has such a unique story, spent bulk of his first six minor league seasons as org reserve for both NYY/LAA, got opportunity for everyday ABs and just continued to hit, and hit, and hit -- goes from reserve to Major Leaguer in 15 monthspic.twitter.com/pA36KjXCGb
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) September 17, 2024
This season has been filled with disappointment and frustration. Campero's hit is one of the most memorable moments from the season.
Before joining the Angels as a minor-league phase Rule-5 selection from the New York Yankees in 2020, Campero never played a level of baseball higher than Rookie Ball and solely caught during that time.
Over the last 15 months, he has transitioned from catching to the outfield while receiving aggressive assignments to Double-A and Triple-A.
While with Rocket City, he saw an increase in playing time, playing in 93 games where he hit .279 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs, and an .888 OPS. He was promoted to play in Triple-A on Aug. 16.
Thirty days later, Campero was set to make his MLB debut as the Angels promoted him to the big leagues.
Campero always knew he wanted to do more than just play catcher. When he originally signed with the Yankees as an international prospect in 2017, he said he bought an infielder glove instead of a catcher mitt.
"I always had in my mind I wanted to be a (utility player) because I know my skill," he said. "I know I can do a lot of things in the field. I know I can score a lot of runs."
While Monday night might've been his first hit in the big leagues, Campero has played against plenty of great competition in the past as he was a member of Colombia during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
During the WBC, he was backing up both Jorge Alfaro and Elias Diaz. On March 11, 2023. Campero was put into a big-time moment in a late-inning game against team Mexico.
In a tie ball game that was in the 10th inning while facing a 2-2 count, Campero had a moment he would never forget becoming a hero for his home country by driving in the game's winning run on an infield RBI single.
"Playing in the WBC. Is another world. It’s your tournament and it’s about winning," Campero said. "The WBC is the greatest players representing their countries.
"That’s a different feeling you know. And staying and representing my country. ... is a pretty cool and amazing feeling."
As the Angels have been plagued with injuries over the last month and the team has just 11 games left this season, it seems likely that Campero will remain on the Angels roster for the remainder of the season. With continuing on his MLB playing career journey, Campero said he is happy to see where he has come and overcome all the adversity he's faced throughout his professional career.
"It’s part of the player I am right now that builds my character," Campero said. "Two years ago I was on the bench on six games in Double-A.
"But I thank God because that helped me a lot to myself."