On July 24th, 2019, the Seattle Mariners made history when they called up Isaiah Campbell from their Triple-A affiliate Tacoma Rainiers. Campbell became the fifth pitcher from the 2019 draft class to make his Major League Baseball debut, joining fellow Mariners prospects Justin Dunn, Logan Gilbert, Brandon Brennan, and Yusei Kikuchi.
Campbell was drafted in the second round of the 2019 draft out of the University of Arkansas. He was a highly regarded prospect coming out of college, and the Mariners saw enough potential in him to take him early in the draft. He did not disappoint in his first season in the minors, posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 15 starts for the Rainiers.
The Mariners have been aggressive in promoting their top prospects this season, and Campbell is no exception. He made his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers on July 24th, and he did not disappoint. He pitched five innings, allowing only three hits and one run while striking out four batters. His performance earned him his first Major League win, and he became the first pitcher from the 2019 draft class to do so.
The Mariners are hoping that Campbell can be a key part of their future success. With five pitchers from the 2019 draft class already making their MLB debuts, they are well on their way to building a strong foundation for the future. Campbell’s debut is just the beginning of what could be a very successful career for him and the Mariners.
