Cam Caminiti is in the clear! The Atlanta Braves’ top pitching prospect recently had a bit of a scare when he experienced some forearm tightness.
Still, after undergoing an MRI, the results came back with nothing more than tendinitis. That means no structural damage, no surgery, and no long-term scenarios: just some rest, recovery, and a little patience.
A Rising Star in the Braves’ Farm System
If you’re unfamiliar with Caminiti, here’s why Braves fans keep such a close eye on him. He was Atlanta’s 24th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, and since then, he’s shot up prospect rankings like a rocket.
Initially slotted as the Braves’ No. 1 prospect, he recently moved to No. 2 behind catcher Drake Baldwin. That’s still elite territory, and Atlanta clearly sees him as a major piece of their future rotation.
The 18-year-old left-hander has only one professional outing under his belt so far, but it was a solid debut. Pitching for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets, he tossed three innings, giving up one run on three hits while striking out four and, notably, issuing zero walks.
That kind of control is exactly what you want to see from a young arm making his first steps in pro ball.
A Power Pitcher With a Strong Arsenal
Let’s talk about his arsenal because, well, it’s exciting. Caminiti features a four-seam fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball? It’s rated a 60 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, meaning it’s already considered a “plus” pitch.
During his senior year of high school, he sat comfortably between 93-95 mph and could reach as high as 98 mph. That’s serious heat. His slider and changeup are both rated a 55, which makes them above average. Scouts have noted that his changeup took a big leap forward in 2024.
One of the most interesting aspects of Caminiti’s development is his athleticism. He was originally a center fielder before fully committing to pitching, and that background gives him an edge when it comes to repeating his delivery and commanding the strike zone.
According to MLB.com’s scouting report, Caminiti has a “lot of ceiling” and, if everything clicks, the potential to be a top-tier big-league starter.
The Road to the Majors
For now, though, it’s all about patience. He’s projected to reach the majors in 2028, which would make him just 21 years old at the time of his debut.
That’s still incredibly young, and with the Braves’ track record of developing pitchers, there’s every reason to believe he’ll be in good hands.
So, while this injury scare wasn’t ideal, the good news is that it’s nothing major. Caminiti needs time to rest, heal, and get back on track. And when he does, Braves fans should be very excited about what’s to come.
