The Seattle Mariners are calling up pitcher Isaiah Campbell and helping the righty break a drought of nearly 150 years in the process.
Isaiah Campbell has received his MLB call-up, and will get the start on the mound this evening against the Astros.
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) July 6, 2023
Isaiah was born in Angra do Heroismo, Portugal.
He will become only the second player in MLB history, and first in 148 years, to be born in Portugal. pic.twitter.com/sVxmvWkbDD
According to "WBC Central" host Shawn Spradling, Campbell (whose father was in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Portugal when the hurler was born) could conceivably be considered the first Portuguese-born in MLB history. The only other native of the country to step on a big league diamond was Frank Thompson (who also went by Augustus Fernandez) in 1875, but his career concluded before the National League and American League were formed in 1876 and 1901, respectively.
I’m no historian, but Isaiah could arguably be considered the 1st Portuguese-born player in MLB history, considering Thompson played his first, and last, games in 1875, while the NL & AL weren’t formed until 1876 and 1901 respectively.
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) July 6, 2023
1st National Association game: May 4, 1871.
Campbell was first selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 24th round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft before being taken in the second round by the Mariners in 2019 out of the University of Arkansas. He attended high school in Kansas before playing four years for the Razorbacks from 2016-19.
The now-25-year-old Campbell helped lead Arkansas to appearances in the College World Series during his final two seasons, including a runner-up finish in 2018.
He led the Razorbacks in nearly every pitching category as a senior, going 12-1 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 125 strikeouts across 118 1/3 innings pitched covering 18 starts. The 2019 squad also included recent Arizona Diamondbacks call-up Dominic Fletcher.
After the pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season and he spent 2021 with the Class A Everett AquaSox, Campbell split last year between the AquaSox and Double-A Arkansas Travelers. In 23 games out of the Travelers bullpen in 2023, he has gone 6-0 with a 2.63 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 27 strikeouts over 24 innings pitched.
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