Get to know No. 24 Draft pick Cam Caminiti

July 15th, 2024

He's got the genes and he's proving he's got the talent. Cam Caminiti, the cousin of former MLB All-Star third baseman , has been selected No. 24 overall by the Braves. Here's what to know about the hard-throwing left-handed pitcher:

FAST FACTS
Position:
LHP
Ht/Wt: 6-foot-2/195 pounds
B/T: L/L
DOB: 8/8/2006
College: Committed to Louisiana State University
High School: Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Born: Scottsdale, Ariz.
MLB Pipeline ranking: No. 15
MLB Draft selection: No. 24 overall (Braves)

His cousin was the 1996 National League MVP

Ken Caminiti was a power-hitting third baseman who earned three All-Star selections and three Gold Glove Awards over a 15-year MLB career from 1987-2001. He had a career year in 1996, when he posted a 1.028 OPS with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs to go along with tremendous defense at the hot corner, winning the NL MVP Award. He was known for his prodigious home runs and a cannon of an arm from third base. Good genes if you're Cam, whose arm isn't bad, either.

He was one of two prep players on the preseason Golden Spikes watchlist in '24

The other is No. 9 Draft prospect Konnor Griffin. It's rare for high school players to make the preseason watchlist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is presented each year to the best amateur baseball player in the nation. No high school player has ever won the prestigious honor since its inception in 1978, and only one has made the semifinalist cut of 25 -- Royals superstar shortstop in 2019.

He led his school to its first state championship in 13 years

Caminiti dominated on the mound and at the plate in the 2024 Arizona 4A state baseball tournament, leading Saguaro High School to its first state title since 2011, when Cam was just 4 years old. He tossed a two-hitter in the title game to lead the Sabercats to victory over two-time defending champion Canyon del Oro High School, 2-1.

Overall, Caminiti went 9-0 with a 0.93 ERA on the season, striking out 119 batters in 52 2/3 innings. At the plate, he hit .493.

He was 17 when the 2024 MLB Draft took place, and he throws 98

Caminiti reclassified to the Class of 2024, meaning he graduated high school a year early and became eligible for the '24 MLB Draft. During the Draft, he'll still be 17 years old. And he's a 17-year-old with a 98 mph fastball. As he matures and fills out his frame, the sky's the limit.

He struck out 16 in a row to start a game, with scouts in the stands

Those scouts got what they came for: a glimpse of what could be a major part of the future for one of their teams. Caminiti touched 97 mph on the radar gun and struck out the first 16 batters he faced against Glendale Deer Valley in early March.

He's had a taste of the Majors without being in the Majors

According to the Arizona Republic, Caminiti had the same personal hitting coach in high school that Tigers catcher Carson Kelly had. Caminiti also knows Giants right-hander Alex Cobb and Phillies Minor League outfielder David Dahl, whom he met while training in the offseason.