PHOENIX — Cam Caminiti by no means acquired to work together along with his cousin and three-time All-Star Ken Caminiti, who handed away two years earlier than Cam was born. However the tales he’s heard in regards to the 1996 Nationwide League MVP have given him a glimpse into the affect he made on his family members.
“I hear tales from my grandparents and oldsters that he was such a fantastic man,” Cam stated on the 2024 Draft Mix. “He was at all times tremendous variety and a fantastic teammate. I believe that that is one of the vital essential issues in baseball.”
There was no scarcity of movie both for the Braves’ 2024 first-round choose (No. 24 general) to see what his cousin was like as a participant.
“He was hard-nosed and simply performed as exhausting as he might,” Caminiti stated. “I’ve seen some clips the place he was simply throwing guys out from his butt on third base.”
Cam takes honor in carrying the Caminiti title, however he’s a a lot totally different participant than Ken. Thought-about to be one of many prized highschool prospects on this yr’s Draft, Caminiti led Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) to a state title final yr each as a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher and glorious hitter.
The 17-year-old went 9-0 with a 0.93 ERA this season, hanging out 119 batters in 52 2/3 innings. On the plate, he slashed .493/.679/.826 with a 1.505 OPS.
His most spectacular prep outing was when he struck out 16 consecutive batters, doing it in entrance of a packed stadium full of scouts.
“I did not notice I struck out 16 guys in a row,” Caminiti stated. “The one half I seen was I threw an immaculate inning, and I used to be tremendous hyped about that, however I simply saved the momentum going.”
His expertise earlier than the season began positioned him on the Golden Spikes Award watch record, making him certainly one of two highschool gamers — becoming a member of No. 9 general choose Konnor Griffin — to be chosen. Caminiti’s season ended with him successful the Arizona baseball Gatorade Excessive Faculty Participant of the Yr award.
Caminiti’s dominance inspired him to reclassify from 2025 to ’24 and velocity up his path to skilled baseball. It was a choice that got here with further tutorial work — Caminiti needed to end an algebra class as a part of his tutorial plan — whereas nonetheless sustaining the identical degree of athletic depth.
“I type of slot in with the older guys,” Caminiti stated. “I did not actually know that I used to be going to class up till June of final yr. After which after I did, I used to be OK with the children that I have been taking part in with my complete life.”
No matter what degree comes subsequent, Caminiti is decided to be a two-way participant. His fastball clocks in at 93-95 mph, reaching as excessive as 98, and he takes command of the zone. His curveball and slider choices have loads of spin, and he integrated a changeup this season.
Having confirmed constant manufacturing on the plate, his left arm additionally boasts properly sufficient for him to play within the outfield, and he has spent a while at first base too however is projected to excel extra on the mound.
He likes to emulate his sport after Phillies lefty Ranger Suárez due to his calm demeanor when he’s on the mound. However Caminiti’s aspirations converse loudly. He needs to turn into an All-Star, play in huge video games and make an affect on the sport. Whereas he’s carving his personal legacy, he needs to honor the one his cousin Ken left behind.
“It could be tremendous cool to play for one of many groups that he performed for,” Caminiti stated. “Simply following in his footsteps is nice, and I’ve talked to some scouts which have scouted him they usually’re tremendous near my household and nonetheless discuss him each single time.”
