Saguaro's Cam Caminiti selected by Atlanta Braves in 1st round

Saguaro’s Cam Caminiti was the last player out of the green room at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, but the wait was worth it Sunday.

Caminiti was selected 24th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2024 Major League Baseball draft.

He was the first left-handed high school pitcher selected in the draft and the youngest player selected in the first round at age 17.

Invited by MLB to the draft, held at the Texas Rangers’ stadium, Caminiti cried after hearing his name called.

“I’m really excited,” Caminiti said in his ESPN interview. “It’s unbelievable. It’s an unbelievable organization. I’m so excited to be here.”

The 24th pick is valued at $3.56 million.

Caminiti, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, was traded up a year to be included in this draft. His cousin, the late Ken Caminiti, was the National League’s Most Valuable Player as a third baseman with the San Diego Padres in 1996.

In his final high school game in May, Caminiti struck out 11 batters and allowed just two hits in a 2-1 4A state championship victory over Oro Valley Canyon del Oro.

He finished a remarkable season in which he posted a 9-0 record with a 0.93 ERA, 119 strikeouts and 14 walks in 52.2 innings. Caminiti also batted .493 with 34 hits, 28 RBIs, four doubles, five triples and three home runs.

More:Why Saguaro’s Cam Caminiti Accelerated His Path to the MLB Draft

He signed with LSU in November. But he flashed his electric fastball his senior year, hitting velocities between 94 and 98 mph in his 10 outings.

“The mental and physical training, going in the weight room, being consistent and chasing your dream as hard as you can and being 1 percent better every day,” Caminiti said of getting to this point in his baseball career.

“I am so excited to take the next step in this journey.”

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