If redshirt sophomore outfielder Brandon Compton is asked anything about his game or the upcoming season, there's a common theme: consistency.
During his redshirt freshman season, Compton's brilliant campaign earned him the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award as he led all Pac-12 freshmen with 14 home runs, 16 doubles, 51 RBIs, a .354 batting average, a .661 slugging percentage, a .427 on-base percentage, and a 1.088 OPS.
"Last year I feel like I did a really good job, but I can be more consistent and more mentally sharp," Compton said. "That's all I'm trying to do, and carry it over and win a ton of games."
Compton continued his success into the summer when he played with the Cotuit Kettleers in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, where he hit .331 with a .903 OPS and six home runs in 38 games played. Also known as The Cape, it's widely regarded as one of the best collegiate summer ball leagues in the country, featuring some of the top college players and multiple high-end draft picks.
One of the biggest takeaways from playing summer ball for Compton was, of course, consistency.
"In summer ball, you just learn to be consistent," Compton said. "You've got baseball every day, so you've got to put your best effort out there, even if you don't feel the best. That's really all I've learned from that, and that's what I want to do out here in the spring."
That consistency has led to a lot of draft talk surrounding his name as he currently sits as the 54th ranked draft prospect for this upcoming draft, according to mlb.com's Top 100 draft prospects list.
"Comp gets everything he deserves," head coach Willie Bloomquist said. "The kid works as hard as anybody we have here. (He's) very dedicated to what he's doing. (He) continues to add strength and hit tool every level he goes to, he just keeps refining and getting better and better."
Bloomquist said Compton will have to take on a bigger role this season because of key departures in the lineup. The coaching staff believes Compton can take on more responsibility and doesn't seem too worried about elevating him into that role.
"Some guys, you just let them go," hitting coach Jason Ellison said. "The kid's got potential to do some damage, and obviously he's proven that, so just keep his mind right, help him with approach, and make sure he's not trying to do too much."
His bat generates the majority of his hype when considering his draft stock, but Compton's defensive play is nothing to scoff at.
"I've been very impressed with what he's done in the outfield as well, continuing to work defensively and stretch his arm out a little bit, get truer carry on his ball, and then take better angles in the outfield," Bloomquist said.
Bloomquist continued on and said Compton's throws from the outfield last season were as if a pitcher threw them because of the two-seam run the balls had. But this year, Bloomquist said Compton is getting more backspin on his throws, which allows them to stay truer to whichever base he is throwing to.
All of this leads to the expectation that Compton will have a big year for the Sun Devils, and he's already off to a blazing start.
Compton earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors over opening weekend to kick-start the 2025 season. He hit .462 with a 1.656 OPS and a pair of home runs while driving in nine to help ASU win all four games to start off the season. Two of Compton's notable hits over the weekend came on Saturday with a 445-foot home run that left the bat at 109 mph and a walk-off double that scored two runs when the Sun Devils were losing by one run and down to their last out.
READ MORE: ASU baseball sweeps Ohio State to open 2025 season
No matter what league he's playing in or what role he has with his team, Compton is just looking for consistency. With that consistency, he seems poised for a strong year to boost his draft stock and help ASU win ball games.
"It's the same game," Compton said. "Nothing really changes. It's doing your job and passing it to the next guy."
Edited by Henry Smardo, Sophia Braccio and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at jmjanes1@asu.edu and follow @JackJanes_ on X.
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Jack is a graduate student studying sports journalism. This is his second semester with The State Press. He has also worked at Walter Cronkite Sports Network and The Sporting Tribune.
