As the 2026 MLB Draft wrapped up on its second day, the St. Louis Cardinals used their 18th-round pick (No. 534 overall) on left-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman Gabe Camacho from the University of California-San Diego.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Camacho, a native of Encinitas, California, brings a proven track record of production and durability at the college level after transferring from the University of the Pacific. While late-round selections carry inherent risk, Camacho’s power output in 2026 and history of performing under pressure make him an intriguing addition to the Cardinals’ system.
Camacho made an immediate impact as a freshman at Pacific in 2024, leading the Tigers with 10 home runs—the most by any freshman in the West Coast Conference that season. He hit .247/.374/.477 with 29 RBI in 54 games, earning WCC All-Freshman Team honors and showcasing his ability to drive the ball with authority early in his collegiate journey.
After transferring to UC San Diego, Camacho elevated his game in the Big West Conference. As a sophomore in 2025, he earned All-Big West First Team recognition, batting .307/.458/.546 with seven home runs, 41 RBI, and a team-leading 24 hit-by-pitches (second in the conference and 16th nationally). He battled a thumb injury but still delivered consistent production.
His junior season in 2026 was a breakout. Camacho set UC San Diego’s Division I single-season home run record with 16 long balls, which also led the Big West. He topped the conference in RBI (54), runs scored (51), and hit-by-pitches (27), while posting a .267/.403/.576 slash line with 13 doubles and 121 total bases in 55 games (54 starts, primarily at first base). Defensively, he posted a .993 fielding percentage at first base. He was named All-Big West First Team for the second straight year and earned a spot on the 2026 Big West Championship All-Tournament Team.
Scouts describe Camacho as a physical, strong-bodied left-handed hitter with legitimate in-game power that plays primarily to the pull side. His 16 home runs in 2026 reflected improved lift and carry in his swing, though contact consistency regressed somewhat from prior seasons. He does not walk at an elite rate, meaning his offensive value will hinge on tapping into that power more frequently against better pitching.
At 6-1, 220 pounds, Camacho has the frame to handle professional velocity and breaking stuff, with strength in his hands and lower half. While primarily a first baseman in college, the Cardinals listed him as an outfielder upon selection, suggesting potential positional versatility as he advances. His arm and athleticism should allow for development in the outfield corners if needed.
Camacho’s plate presence is notable for his willingness to get hit—he absorbed 27 pitches in 2026 alone—which speaks to a competitive, grinder mentality that Cardinals player development staff will appreciate. He also brings some multi-positional background, having pitched in limited action earlier in his career.
Camacho’s journey comes with deep personal context. The son of Stephanie and Adam Camacho, he has four younger siblings. Tragically, the family recently suffered the loss of 17-year-old sister Gracie in an ATV accident in Utah on June 19, 2026, during her high school senior trip. Gracie had been accepted to the University of Utah to study nursing.
In the face of such adversity, Camacho’s continued excellence on the field this spring underscores his resilience and focus—qualities that could serve him well in the grind of minor league baseball.
The Cardinals have emphasized adding power and athleticism throughout the draft. Camacho fits as a bat-first prospect who could develop into a solid organizational depth piece or more if his power translates and he refines his approach. With his left-handed bat and physical tools, he’ll likely begin his professional career in the Gulf Coast League or Florida Complex League, where the organization can focus on polishing his swing and defensive versatility.
For a player who has already rewritten the record books at UC San Diego and shown steady improvement, being selected by a franchise with a strong track record of developing college bats is a fitting next chapter. The Cardinals will look to help Camacho turn his raw power and competitive fire into sustained professional production.
Welcome to the Redbird family, Gabe.
