How Taylor Swift's Songs Inspired and Helped an MLB Prospect Learn English
In a surprising twist, the influence of pop icon Taylor Swift is making waves in the baseball world. Roberto Campos, a rising star in the Detroit Tigers' farm system, has given credit to Swift for helping him master English, a language barrier he faced when moving from Cuba to the United States at just 13 years old.
Campos, who signed with the Tigers in 2019 for $2.85 million, shared his unique story during spring training in Lakeland, Florida, and it's got everyone buzzing. "Thanks, Taylor Swift," Campos said with a grin, crediting her catchy lyrics for boosting his English skills.
"Shake It Off" or "Blank Space" - the pop hooks that helped Campos learn English may seem like an unlikely tool, but for the 21-year-old outfielder, it was the perfect way to pick up the language. Alongside action movies with subtitles and chats with teammates, Swift's music provided a melodic crash course in vocabulary.
"Who knew pop hooks could double as vocab lessons?" Campos' story is lighting up social media, with fans calling it "Swiftie power" and "baseball's coolest language hack." Whether he's swinging for the fences or singing along to "Love Story," this prospect's got Swift in his corner.
Campos' journey from Cuba to becoming a Detroit Tigers prospect is one of perseverance and determination. Now 21, he's coming off a solid 2024 season at High-A West Michigan, hitting .272 with a .342 on-base percentage. "I feel good every day I come here," he told the Detroit Free Press, speaking mostly solo in a 12-minute interview.
The Tigers' manager, A.J. Hinch, is all smiles about Campos' growth, praising his maturity and dugout energy. Campos is set to shine in the Spring Breakout game against Braves prospects on March 16, airing on MLB Network. Proof he's not just a language whiz but a legit talent.
Campos' story is nothing new - Swift has been making waves with her Eras Tour, which wrapped as the highest-grossing ever at $2 billion. But helping an MLB hopeful? That's next-level. With the Tigers' farm system ranked tops by MLB Pipeline, Campos' star is only rising.