The Braves finished the first half of the season with a series win in San Diego over the Padres as the club heads into the All-Star break.
As fans focus on the trade deadline, most of the organization’s attention is on the MLB Draft. The first round is over, and Atlanta came away with yet another pitcher. An arm Keith Law of The Athletic described as the best high school pitcher selected.
“I think this is the latest we’ve ever had our first high school pitcher selected, but Atlanta got the best one of the class. Cam Caminiti — a cousin of the late Ken Caminiti — is a super-athletic lefty who sits mid-90s with good feel for a changeup, and saw his breaking ball improve over the year from arguably a grade-35 pitch before the season to one scouts were saying was above-average by the end.”
The Braves have now drafted pitchers with their first-round pick for five consecutive cycles. The last position player to go in the first round was Shea Langeliers; it’s a stark reminder that organizations can never have enough pitching in a league that has put a premium on stuff.
So, what are the Braves getting in the cousin of late Padres star Ken Caminiti? He’s a two-way player who has ” the best combination of present ability and future projection” in Law’s assessment.
Like most two-way players, he’s extremely athletic. Per Law, he’s up to “97 with a curveball that’s gone from a 35 early in the spring to a 50 or 55 now along with an easy plus changeup that has been a 70 in some outings.”
The Braves have been stockpiling pitching in recent seasons, apparent in their prospect rankings. Regardless of the outlets, the only two position players anywhere near the top are Drake Baldwin and Nacho Alvarez. The rest are all pitchers, and the expectation is that this year’s first-round pick, Cam Cminiti, will join them sooner rather than later.
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Photographer: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
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