Jackson Campana has every reason to be confident on the baseball diamond.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Providence High senior not only has hit near .400 in his Panthers career, but has also launched 16 home runs in the past two seasons, establishing himself among the best players in the country, according to ESPN.

Campana, who can throw up to 92 mph from the pitching mound and also plays third base, has signed with Clemson, where he will enroll unless a Major League Baseball team snatches him up.

Star pitcher stays humble

But despite all of the accolades, Campana still looks at the game like an average player.

"Jackson doesn't think he is special and approaches each day like he is just another part of the (Providence) team like every other guy," said Providence coach Danny Hignight. "I think that is what makes him special. His potential is still off the charts."

Campana has been ahead of his class since he was called up to Providence's varsity team as a freshman, when then-Providence star - now Clemson standout - Richie Shaffer took him under his wing.

Campana was not only already on the highly-regarded South Charlotte Panther club team two years ahead of time, he also got a key double against rival Butler in his first high school at-bat.

Campana committed to Clemson before he turned 17.

Campana might have a decision to make at the end of this season on whether to honor his commitment to Clemson or go pro. It's nothing new for Providence players like David Mailman, Shaffer and Brett Austin, before him.

"Right now, I'm focused on high school ball and trying to win a state championship," said Campana, who regularly plays in front of MLB scouts.

Winning state still the goal

After winning three consecutive Southwestern 4A conference titles, including the past two league tournaments, Campana and company are focused on bigger and better things this year after getting knocked out of the playoffs in the second round last year.

Campana will have a lot of help with 12 seniors on this year's team, including standout pitcher and Arkansas signee Ty Buttrey, who can throw up to 96 mph and is being touted as a potential first-round draft pick, plus senior catcher and Furman signee Andrew MacLatchie and Michael Hebert.

"We all told ourselves at the end of last year that we are going to do all we can to win state this year," Campana said. "Winning conference and the tournament are nice, but that is not our main goal."

Observer Area Baseball Players to Watch

Jackson Campana, Providence: 6-foot-6, 220-pound hitting machine can also throw 92 mph from the mound, Clemson signee

Ty Buttrey, Providence: 6-foot-6 Panthers ace, who throws from 92-96 mph, has MLB scouts drooling, Arkansas signee

Trent Thornton, Ardrey Kell: North Carolina signee is one of the top pitchers (2.16 ERA and 79 strikeouts) and hitters in the state (.402 with eight homers)

Brody Koerner, Jay M. Robinson: Another hard-throwing pitcher with major skills, Clemson signee

Corey Seager, Northwest Cabarrus: Like his older brother, Kyle, the younger Seager is a special talent, South Carolina signee and top-50 prospect by many MLB draft analysts

Kyle Whitman, Nations Ford (SC): Career .440-plus hitter, Clemson signee, also on many MLB team's radars at 6-foot-3

Reilly Hovis, Gastonia Forestview: North Carolina signee, powerful right-handed pitcher leads a talented Jaguars team with fellow UNC signee Zach Daly

A.J. Larson, Butler: Bulldogs' standout outfielder, a reigning All-Observer pick, South Charlotte Panthers' club star, too

Colby Barnette, Piedmont: UNC commit does it all for Panthers - at the plate, on the mound

Stephen Wallace, South Stanly: Winthrop signee hit .458 with nine homers to lead team to 2A state championship series, and is a talented combination with UNC signee Landon Fraley, a left-hander