Despite recent talk, the Braves are unlikely to move these two top pitching prospects during the summer.
As the MLB winter progresses, whispers circulate about who could be moved and what the return would be. While we don’t know who may be moving as part of an Atlanta Braves deal, we do know who is protected.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com published an article breaking down the Braves’ best trade candidates. He stated that “it’s not clear exactly what the Braves will do,” but that we shouldn’t anticipate the Braves to deal top prospect pitchers Cam Caminiti (No. 1) and Hurston Waldrep (No. 3).
Both arms are the Braves’ most recent first-round selections in the MLB Draft.
While Bowman cannot guarantee they will stay put, he believes it is a safe bet.
“I’m not sure I’d put [Waldrep] in an untouchable category, but let’s take the 2023 first-round Draft pick out of the discussion for now,” Bowman posted. “We can do the same with Cam Caminiti, an 18-year-old southpaw who is now the MLB’s No. 92 prospect. For the time being, let’s classify Caminiti and Waldrep as ‘very unlikely to be traded’.
Waldrep, 22, made his Major League Baseball debut on June 9, less than a year after being chosen from the University of Florida. After two rocky starts, he was placed on the Injured List with an elbow ailment and was expected to return to the minors if he recovered.
In his two starts, he allowed 13 earned runs over seven innings. After returning from the IL, he finished the season in Triple-A Gwinnett.
Waldrep was recently speculated to be one of the top trade pieces during the Winter Meetings this month. However, that conjecture appears to have been put to rest, unless they get an irresistible offer.
Caminiti, 18, made his professional baseball debut with the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets on August 31. He gave up one earned run and four strikeouts in three innings.
When two pitchers have been in the system for such a short time, it’s understandable that the Braves are hesitant to deal with them. They still need to recognize what they really have.
