Few organizations have been able to identify and develop talent like the Atlanta Braves.
Most recently, it’s been guys like Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider to experience success in the majors, but they only followed those who came through the system before them — Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, etc.
The next crop could make their presence known as soon as this season as A.J. Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep are waiting in the wings of Atlanta’s farm system.
With the MLB draft lottery set last week, mock drafts are flowing, and Jim Callis of MLB.com has Atlanta selecting a two-way prep star who has family ties to the Bigs.
24. Braves: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. (No. 19)
One of the youngest players in the 2024 Draft after reclassifying from 2025, Caminiti is an athletic four-pitch lefty.
Caminiti is the cousin of the late Ken Caminiti, who hit 239 home runs and won the NL MVP in 1996. He’s a southpaw pitcher and outfielder with Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
He was originally a member of the 2025 class but reclassified and is one of the youngest preps in the 2024 draft. Caminiti will only be 17 years old on draft day and is already one of the most exciting lefties in his class.
As Callis notes, he’s got a four-pitch mix comprised of a fastball that regularly reaches the mid-90s to go along with three promising secondaries. Caminiti has already signed a national letter of intent to play college baseball at LSU.
The Braves have taken college pitchers in recent drafts to continue to bolster the upper levels of the minor league system, but the lower levels are certainly barren of talent, so a selection like this could make sense.
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Photographer: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
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