Francisco Campos
Encyclopedia
Francisco Machado Campos (Pancho Ponches)
in 1991 as a catcher. He only hit .147/~.275/.235 in 21 games for the GCL Astros. He missed the entire '92 season with injuries and most of '93. He moved to the Campeche Pirates in 1993 and batted .148/~.200/.174. After batting .278/.381/.333 in 19 games in '94, he was converted to pitching.
In 1995, Campos had a 1.93 ERA in 5 outings, then became a regular starter in '96 and styled a 10-3 record and 2.49 ERA, 8th in the Liga. In 1997, the 24-year-old hurler had a 9-10, 2.92 record. He improved to 13-6, 2.88 in 1998 and almost doubled his strikeout total from 70 to 130. He was 10th in the LMB in ERA, tied for fifth in wins and second to Ravelo Manzanillo
in strikeouts.
In '99, Campos had an off-year (6-11, 3.71) and was 11-4, 3.10 in 2000 with 172 K in 189 innings. He was third in the Liga in ERA and second to Manzanillo in strikeouts. His 1.79 ERA in the 2000-01 Mexican Pacific League was second to Eleazar Mora and he followed with a 10-7, 3.19 year with Campeche.
The 2001-2002 winter league season was another fine one as Campos went 5-2 with a 1.66 ERA, lowest in the LMP and he led with 89 Ks. In the LMB, he went 8-9, 3.45 in 2002 but was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers
. Reporting to the Indianapolis Indians
, he had a 3-0, 2.05 record in 4 appearances, allowing a .180 average and 14 K to 1 BB in 22 IP but did not get called up.
He went 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA and a LMP-high 76 strikeouts in 2002-2003. That year, he was 6-4 with a 2.40 ERA for Campeche and only 2-4, 5.72 with Indianapolis. In the 2003 Pan American Games
, Campos allowed a sacrifice fly to Paul Janish
, scoring Seth Smith
in the 14th inning of the semifinals as Mexico lost a tough game to the US and Huston Street
. It knocked Mexico out of the Gold Medal game as they settled for Bronze. Campos began his best run in the 2003-2004 winter ball season. For the Mazatlan Deer, he was 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA and 68 strikeouts to take the LMP pitching Triple Crown
and made Baseball America
' s winter league All-Star team. He pitched six scoreless innings in the 2004 Caribbean Series. Then, he went 12-2 with a 1.47 ERA and 99 K in 123 IP in the LMB season to take the pitching Triple Crown there as well, the first such winner in 48 years since Francisco Ramirez
had done it. Campos's ERA was 1.22 lower than runner-up Osvaldo Fernandez
, he struck out 19 more than Leonardo Gonzalez
and José Silva
tied him for the win lead. He led Campeche to the pennant that year. Going to the Chicago White Sox
system, he went 2-3 with a 4.26 ERA for the Charlotte Knights
.
After a 7-2, 3.29 year in winter ball, he helped Mexico to the 2005 Caribbean Series title by going 2-0, 1.13 with 23 K and 3 BB in 16 IP. He was again named to the Baseball America winter league All-Star team and won the deciding game in the Series. In the regular season, Francisco went 11-4 with a 2.84 ERA and 170 K in 152 innings. He led the Liga in Ks (73 more than runner-up Alonso Beltran) and ERA (.41 lower than runner-up Eric Knott
).
He was picked to represent Mexico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
; manager Frank Estrada was criticized for not using him more, but he was the club's least effective pitcher with a 7.20 ERA, though he won his lone decision. Campos was shaky early in the 2006 season, failing to make the 2006 Mets out of spring training and going 6-5 with a 3.84 ERA for Campeche. In his 14th year there, he was dealt away to the Monterrey Sultans, where he went 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA for the Liga's top team, though they fell in the finals. In the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
, Francisco went 1-1 with a 8.10 ERA but Mexico still won a Bronze.
Campos was 9-4 with a 3.08 ERA for Campeche in 2007 and finished 5th in the LMB in ERA. In the 2007 Pan-American Games, he got the no-decision in a Mexican win over Venezuela, then allowed just 2 runs to Team USA
but got little support from a lineup with three major leaguers and lots of AAA veterans, losing a 2-1 decision. He was 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA for the Bronze Medal winners.
Campos was 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in the 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament. In 10 1/3 innings, he struck out 22 and walked no one. He easily led in strikeouts, 6 ahead of Min-han Son and 12 ahead of anyone else. He got most of his K's in one game against the South African national team, whiffing 18 in 8 innings, allowing only two hits. Mexico failed to advance to the 2008 Olympics.
In 2008, Francisco was 11-5 with a 2.41 ERA for Campeche, whiffing 115 and allowing 118 hits in 149 2/3 IP. He tied Felix Villegas for the league lead in strikeouts, tied for 4th in wins and second to Juan Delgadillo in ERA.
In the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup
, Campos was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and had the most balks (2) while being the worst of Mexico's 4 starters (the others were Walter Silva
, Oscar Rivera and Pablo Ortega). Mexico still advanced to the 2009 Baseball World Cup
. Campos's loss came by a 2-1 decision to Josue Matos
and Puerto Rico.
Campos went 0-1 in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
, allowing 8 hits and 7 runs in 4 1/3 IP. He entered a game with Australia with a 7-4 lead and tossed two scoreless innings but gave up 3 runs in the 5th to tie the game. He then came into the game with Cuba ahead 2-1 in the third, replacing Pablo Ortega. He gave up a leadoff single to Rolando Meriño
, who advanced on a ground out by Luis Miguel Navas
and came home on a two-out single by Michel Enríquez
to tie the score. Mexico scored in the 4th but Cuba rallied in the bottom of the inning on a hit by Yosvani Peraza and homer by Yulieski Gourriel
to take the lead for good. Campos took the loss.
Overall, he is 127-74 in Mexican League play through 2008.
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
- Born August 12, 1972 in Guaymas, Sonora MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Biographical Information
The top pitcher in the Mexican League in the early part of the 21st century, Francisco Campos was first signed by the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in 1991 as a catcher. He only hit .147/~.275/.235 in 21 games for the GCL Astros. He missed the entire '92 season with injuries and most of '93. He moved to the Campeche Pirates in 1993 and batted .148/~.200/.174. After batting .278/.381/.333 in 19 games in '94, he was converted to pitching.
In 1995, Campos had a 1.93 ERA in 5 outings, then became a regular starter in '96 and styled a 10-3 record and 2.49 ERA, 8th in the Liga. In 1997, the 24-year-old hurler had a 9-10, 2.92 record. He improved to 13-6, 2.88 in 1998 and almost doubled his strikeout total from 70 to 130. He was 10th in the LMB in ERA, tied for fifth in wins and second to Ravelo Manzanillo
Ravelo Manzanillo
Ravelo Manzanillo is a former professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher over parts of three seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled a 4-3 record, with a 4.43 earned run average, and 50 strikeouts in 63 innings pitched....
in strikeouts.
In '99, Campos had an off-year (6-11, 3.71) and was 11-4, 3.10 in 2000 with 172 K in 189 innings. He was third in the Liga in ERA and second to Manzanillo in strikeouts. His 1.79 ERA in the 2000-01 Mexican Pacific League was second to Eleazar Mora and he followed with a 10-7, 3.19 year with Campeche.
The 2001-2002 winter league season was another fine one as Campos went 5-2 with a 1.66 ERA, lowest in the LMP and he led with 89 Ks. In the LMB, he went 8-9, 3.45 in 2002 but was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Reporting to the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
, he had a 3-0, 2.05 record in 4 appearances, allowing a .180 average and 14 K to 1 BB in 22 IP but did not get called up.
He went 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA and a LMP-high 76 strikeouts in 2002-2003. That year, he was 6-4 with a 2.40 ERA for Campeche and only 2-4, 5.72 with Indianapolis. In the 2003 Pan American Games
2003 Pan American Games
The 14th Pan American Games were held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from 1 to 17 August 2003. The successful bid for the games was made in the mid-1990s, when this country had one of the highest growth rates in Latin America....
, Campos allowed a sacrifice fly to Paul Janish
Paul Janish
Paul Ryan Janish is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds.-High school and college:...
, scoring Seth Smith
Seth Smith
Garry Seth Smith is a Major League Baseball corner outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Amateur career:...
in the 14th inning of the semifinals as Mexico lost a tough game to the US and Huston Street
Huston Street
Huston Lowell Street is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His father is former University of Texas quarterback James Street, and his brother Juston Street is currently a pitcher for the minor league Vancouver Canadians....
. It knocked Mexico out of the Gold Medal game as they settled for Bronze. Campos began his best run in the 2003-2004 winter ball season. For the Mazatlan Deer, he was 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA and 68 strikeouts to take the LMP pitching Triple Crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
and made Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
Francisco Ramirez
José Francisco Ramírez Pineda , known as Francisco Ramirez, is a Honduran footballer. He last played as a striker for C.D. Vista Hermosa of El Salvador.-Career:...
had done it. Campos's ERA was 1.22 lower than runner-up Osvaldo Fernandez
Osvaldo Fernandez
Osvaldo Fernández Rodríguez is a former Cuban professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from - and -. He was a member of the Cuban baseball team which won a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain...
, he struck out 19 more than Leonardo Gonzalez
Leonardo González
Leonardo González Arce is a Costa Rican footballer. He currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-Club:...
and José Silva
José Silva (baseball)
José Leonel Silva is a right-handed pitcher. He currently plays for the Dorados de Chihuahua of the Mexican League...
tied him for the win lead. He led Campeche to the pennant that year. Going to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
system, he went 2-3 with a 4.26 ERA for the Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
.
After a 7-2, 3.29 year in winter ball, he helped Mexico to the 2005 Caribbean Series title by going 2-0, 1.13 with 23 K and 3 BB in 16 IP. He was again named to the Baseball America winter league All-Star team and won the deciding game in the Series. In the regular season, Francisco went 11-4 with a 2.84 ERA and 170 K in 152 innings. He led the Liga in Ks (73 more than runner-up Alonso Beltran) and ERA (.41 lower than runner-up Eric Knott
Eric Knott
Eric James Knott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001 and the Montreal Expos in 2003, playing in 16 career games.-External links:...
).
He was picked to represent Mexico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
; manager Frank Estrada was criticized for not using him more, but he was the club's least effective pitcher with a 7.20 ERA, though he won his lone decision. Campos was shaky early in the 2006 season, failing to make the 2006 Mets out of spring training and going 6-5 with a 3.84 ERA for Campeche. In his 14th year there, he was dealt away to the Monterrey Sultans, where he went 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA for the Liga's top team, though they fell in the finals. In the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
The 20th edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games was held in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. The tournament began on July 15 and ended on July 30.-Host City:*Main**Cartagena de Indias*Other host cities...
, Francisco went 1-1 with a 8.10 ERA but Mexico still won a Bronze.
Campos was 9-4 with a 3.08 ERA for Campeche in 2007 and finished 5th in the LMB in ERA. In the 2007 Pan-American Games, he got the no-decision in a Mexican win over Venezuela, then allowed just 2 runs to Team USA
Team USA
Team USA is a wrestling faction brought together as part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's X-Cup Tournaments, which involved a team of X Division superstars from various countries representing their nation in an international wrestling competition.-America's X-Cup:Team USA was created and led...
but got little support from a lineup with three major leaguers and lots of AAA veterans, losing a 2-1 decision. He was 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA for the Bronze Medal winners.
Campos was 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in the 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament. In 10 1/3 innings, he struck out 22 and walked no one. He easily led in strikeouts, 6 ahead of Min-han Son and 12 ahead of anyone else. He got most of his K's in one game against the South African national team, whiffing 18 in 8 innings, allowing only two hits. Mexico failed to advance to the 2008 Olympics.
In 2008, Francisco was 11-5 with a 2.41 ERA for Campeche, whiffing 115 and allowing 118 hits in 149 2/3 IP. He tied Felix Villegas for the league lead in strikeouts, tied for 4th in wins and second to Juan Delgadillo in ERA.
In the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup
2008 Americas Baseball Cup
The 2008 America Baseball Cup is being held in the Venezuelan cities of Puerto Ordaz and El Tigre, from September 26 to October 7. The tournament acts as a qualifier for the 2009 World Cup....
, Campos was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and had the most balks (2) while being the worst of Mexico's 4 starters (the others were Walter Silva
Walter Silva
Walter Silva is a professional baseball pitcher, currently playing for the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League. He pitched part of for the San Diego Padres.-Baseball career:...
, Oscar Rivera and Pablo Ortega). Mexico still advanced to the 2009 Baseball World Cup
2009 Baseball World Cup
The 2009 Baseball World Cup was an international baseball tournament that started on 9 September 2009. The final was held in Nettuno, Italy on 27 September 2009. It was the 38th time the World Cup took place, and the first time that it was hosted by a continent rather than a single country...
. Campos's loss came by a 2-1 decision to Josue Matos
Josué Matos
Josué Matos has spent over a decade in pro baseball and has pitched at times for the Puerto Rican national team.Matos was picked in the 27th round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners as a draft-and-follow selection...
and Puerto Rico.
Campos went 0-1 in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
, allowing 8 hits and 7 runs in 4 1/3 IP. He entered a game with Australia with a 7-4 lead and tossed two scoreless innings but gave up 3 runs in the 5th to tie the game. He then came into the game with Cuba ahead 2-1 in the third, replacing Pablo Ortega. He gave up a leadoff single to Rolando Meriño
Rolando Meriño
Rolando Meriño Betancourt is a baseball player for Cuba. He was born at February 17, 1971 in Santiago de Cuba and was part of the Cuban teams which won silver medals at the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, who advanced on a ground out by Luis Miguel Navas
Luis Miguel Navas
Luis Miguel Navas is a baseball player for Cuba. He was part of the Cuban team which won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He plays shortstop.-References:...
and came home on a two-out single by Michel Enríquez
Michel Enríquez
Michel Enríquez Tamayo is a Cuban baseball third baseman....
to tie the score. Mexico scored in the 4th but Cuba rallied in the bottom of the inning on a hit by Yosvani Peraza and homer by Yulieski Gourriel
Yulieski Gourriel
Yulieski Gourriel is a Cuban baseball player. A member of Cuba's national team and Sancti Spíritus in the Cuban National Series, Gourriel is primarily a third baseman, though he has also played other positions, such as shortstop and 2nd base...
to take the lead for good. Campos took the loss.
Overall, he is 127-74 in Mexican League play through 2008.