Braves prospect cracks Jim Bowden’s list of the top 50 prospects

The Braves farm system has been dragged by prospect evaluators for several years now, but that hasn’t stopped it from producing high level talent, including this season.

Drake Baldwin is the frontrunner for the NL Rookie of the Year award. AJ Smith-Shawver looked like his biggest competition at the beginning of the season until Tommy John surgery unfortunately brought his progress to a screeching halt. Nacho Alvarez has also had his moments, and Hurston Waldrep has been one of the best storylines of the second half, recording a 1.01 ERA in his first six outings.

That’s pretty good for a farm system that was ranked in the bottom five coming into the season, and there appears to be more new faces coming down the pike.

JR Ritchie has been a star since receiving a promotion to Gwinnett. He has not allowed a run in three of his last four outings, lowering his ERA with the Stripers to 3.19 over eight starts. Ritchie may get a crack at the majors down the stretch, but no matter what, he’ll be in the conversation for a rotation spot in 2026.

Didier Fuentes and Owen Murphy are other highly touted arms to keep a close eye on. But the Braves top prospect in the organization is 19-year-old Cam Caminiti, who was the only member of Atlanta’s farm system to crack Jim Bowden’s list of the top 50 prospects in baseball. 

50. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Low A)

Age: 19
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 6-2 Weight: 199
Scouting Grades: FB: 60 CB: 50 SLI: 55 CH: 60 CMND: 45 Ctl: 45

Caminiti, a cousin of former MLB third baseman Ken Caminiti, was the Braves’ first-round pick (No. 24 selection) in the 2024 draft. He started this year in Rookie ball, where he made four starts before being promoted to Low-A Augusta in the Carolina League. Since his promotion, he’s made 12 more starts, posting a 2.32 ERA over 50 1/3 innings, with a whopping 68 strikeouts but also 23 walks. He has the full repertoire to be a successful big leaguer once he figures out how to improve the command and control of his pitches. He has the composure, maturity and poise to move quickly through the Braves system once that happens.

Caminiti was the highest rated prep arm in the 2024 draft class. The Braves went way over slot value to sign him, and they have to be thrilled with the early returns. He looks to have the makings of a potential frontline starter in the future, and with the way the Braves love to test their highly touted arms, we may not have to wait much longer before seeing him in Atlanta.