Ohio State baseball adds MLB legacy Kayden Campbell to its 2026 class

COLUMBUS – Despite a rough first season, Ohio State baseball coach Justin Haire continues to stack wins on the recruiting trail.

The Buckeyes received a commitment from 2026 infielder Kayden Campbell out of Marietta (Ga.) Pope on Saturday. Campbell received interest from Cincinnati, Georgia State, TCU and others but ultimately chose Ohio State.

Campbell ranks as the No. 316 overall prospect in the 2026 class and No. 26 prospect in Georgia, according to Prep Baseball Report. Lettermen Row spoke with Prep Baseball Georgia Assistant Scouting Director Ian Smith for a brief scouting report of Campbell.

“Still raw, similar profile to Cam Smith (Houston Astros),” Smith told said. “Physical 6-foot-2 frame with real impact in the barrel. Bat speed is just average for now but family is notoriously late bloomers.

“Third baseman longterm but glove can profile across the dirt to an extent.”

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Campbell is the younger brother of current Boston Redsox second baseman Kristian Campbell. He played collegiately at Georgia Tech from 2021-23 before being drafted.

Campbell joins highly-ranked Rowlett (Texas) catcher Jeffrey Claycomb as the only two position players in the Buckeyes 2026 class. The rest of Ohio State’s class consists of four pitchers (two right-handers, two left-handers) and all four are from the state of Ohio. Massillon (Ohio) Jackson left-handed pitcher Landon Thiel is the headliner among the arms in the class.

With Campbell, Claycomb and Thiel in the fold, Ohio State now has three top-500 prospects committed in 2026.

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