Cameron building on ascension in AFL
After a strong two-month stretch with Double-A Erie that lasted through the middle of August, Daz Cameron spent a few weeks at Triple-A Toledo. His .211/.246/.316 batting line over 62 plate appearances may not pop off the stat sheet, but the experience he gained with the Mud Hens has been
After a strong two-month stretch with Double-A Erie that lasted through the middle of August, Daz Cameron spent a few weeks at Triple-A Toledo. His .211/.246/.316 batting line over 62 plate appearances may not pop off the stat sheet, but the experience he gained with the Mud Hens has been exponentially more important than any numbers could be.
"Just being around the guys [at Triple-A], I learned a lot about the game," Cameron said. "It could be knowing how many outs there are, what to do in certain situations, just basic things -- the small details that matter the most. Things that will help my approach and my routine before the game, and to see some of the Triple-A guys who've been there for a minute and know the game and know how it goes. I think it was good for my knowledge."
Cameron has played off those lessons in the 2018 Arizona Fall League, and the results have been more reminiscent of his climb through the Detroit system the past two seasons than what he showed in a small sample size in the International League.
Detroit's No. 8 prospect hit safely in his first three games with the Mesa Solar Sox before back-to-back hitless appearances left him 3-for-19 with seven strikeouts and two walks. He picked up seven hits with eight walks and three strikeouts in his next 15 at-bats to pull his line up to .316/.458/.421 through Saturday's action, and Cameron points to his Triple-A experience as one of the reasons for his current success.
"I prepare myself better mentally, just going out there knowing that I'm ready to attack, not be passive, stay in the [middle] and not be too aggressive," the 21-year-old said. "Just getting a pitch I can handle, not missing my pitch and staying consistent with that and not trying to do too much. Sometimes I get up there and try to do too much -- I learn from it and I'm able to move on and get better from it."
The Tigers didn't send Cameron to the AFL with any specific goals iafter he batted .264/.343/.406 with eight home runs and 24 stolen bases across three levels in 2018, so he entered the season with the intention of working on his all-around game, and most importantly, his consistency. A big part of that has been understanding when to be aggressive and when to dial things back.
Cameron attempted nine stolen bases through his first 11 games, tied for the second-highest total in the AFL. While he's been caught almost as many times (four) as he's been successful (five), the 2015 competitive-balance pick isn't focusing on those results.
"I'm just trying to learn from it, figure out a couple things with my jump and maneuver some things to help me along the way. It's all a learning process and it will get there," he said. "Just reading pitchers, figuring out what I need to do and not being indecisive -- just being ready to go instead of hesitating. I think that'll help me along the way."
That selective aggression also has manifested itself at the plate, where Cameron is walking almost as much as he's striking out. He has drawn a free pass in five consecutive games.
"I just have the mentality that I want to go after this guy and don't want to be overaggressive, but I want to be aggressive with my pitch," said the son of former Major Leaguer Mike Cameron. "Just refining and staying consistent with a good approach and having good at-bats."
Cameron also has enjoyed catching up with an old friend in Mesa -- fourth-ranked Angels prospectJahmai Jones. Both are natives of Georgia -- Cameron's hometown of McDonough is a one-hour drive from Roswell, where Jones grew up. The two faced off against each other numerous times during their high-school days.
Although their professional paths deviated when they were both drafted in 2015 -- Cameron went 37th overall to the Astros, 33 spots of when the Angels drafted Jones -- the two continued to keep in touch and hit together in the offseason. Cameron has enjoyed getting to play with Jones this fall.
"We know each other pretty well. We haven't seen each other play since high school, so for me to see him play and pick his brain on a couple things has been good. [It's good] just to have him around," Cameron said. "I've taken some things from other people too, like [No. 6 Red Sox prospect] Bobby Dalbec. Just some guys I've seen around the league, getting their knowledge and intake on some things."
The 21-year-old outfielders plan to work out together again this offseason and a camaraderie extends amongst a group of Minor Leaguers hailing from Georgia, including Taylor Trammell and Tyler Stephenson -- the Reds No. 3 and 6 prospects, respectively, 22nd-ranked Phillies prospectCornelius Randolph, Giants No. 25 prospectJalen Miller and 26th-ranked Yankees prospectIsiah Gilliam.
"Pretty much all the Georgia guys try to stay in touch and get together in the offseason," Cameron said. "We can sit there and take different things and pick [each others'] brains. Sometimes what works for me may work for the other guys, something that may not work for me may work for the other guys. We just exchange conversations, have fun with it a little bit and support each other. I think it's been good to have some support from the Georgia guys."
It's taken a lot of pressure off Cameron to perform in the rarified atmosphere of the elite prospect league. He is more focused on enjoying the experience, one he knows he may never have again.
"I just thought it was an opportunity to come out here and work hard on some things I need to work on and just play the game and have fun with the players around me," he said. "I'm just trying to better myself every day, be a better teammate every day and enjoy the process."
Chris Tripodi is a producer for MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @christripodi.
Spring Breakout resumes Saturday with 4 games
Spring Breakout has returned for the second season after debuting last year to much fanfare. The weekend began with a bang as the Rays edged the Red Sox on Thursday night with home runs coming from Boston's top three prospects and Tampa Bay's No. 1. Like last year, all 30
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.
Caglianone swaps jerseys with old friend at Spring Breakout
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When Royals top prospect and MLB’s No. 22 prospect Jac Caglianone stepped to the plate in the seventh inning Friday night, he saw the D-backs' outfielders take a step back. Well, maybe a few steps back. Arizona pitcher Philip Abner, watching from the dugout, thought that was
Cards' young fireballer draws ... Kershaw comps?
JUPITER, Fla. -- Dating back to the first time Cardinals roving instructor Ryan Ludwick saw left-hander Quinn Mathews flash his fiery competitiveness and overpowering stuff in a 2024 live batting practice session, one very favorable comparison kept coming to mind. Clayton Kershaw -- a career 212-game winner, two-time World Series
De Vries, Salas show why they're top prospects at Spring Breakout
PEORIA, Ariz. -- It's been precisely one year since the Padres traded for Dylan Cease. Nearly two months later, they landed Luis Arraez. At the ensuing Trade Deadline, they made two major moves to bolster their bullpen. Naturally, those deals depleted the upper levels of their farm system. Still, the
Nezuh, Pecko flash elite potential in Astros' Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Jackson Nezuh, who has one of the most effective fastballs in the Astros’ system, and the organization's 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Ethan Pecko, flashed elite stuff by striking out the side in consecutive innings in Friday’s 6-6 tie against the Nationals in
Rays, Red Sox prospects rekindle friendships at Spring Breakout
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- For one moment, the future was the present along Florida’s Gulf coast. Roughly 90 minutes before first pitch of Thursday’s Spring Breakout opener between the Red Sox and Rays at Port Charlotte Sports Park, Red Sox No. 1 and 3 prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer
Don't sleep on these prospects at Spring Breakout -- 1 from each team
The second edition of Spring Breakout is bursting with high-profile prospects. Seventy members of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 are slated to participate, including Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (No. 2), Tigers outfielder Max Clark (No. 6), Red Sox infielder Kristian Campbell (No. 7), Rays shortstop Carson Williams (No. 9) and
Meet the 14 women who run MiLB teams
From California to Massachusetts, from Arkansas to Iowa, leadership in professional baseball is evolving. Coming into the 2025 season, there are 14 women in general manager positions across Minor League Baseball. When most fans think of the GMs in baseball, they likely assume the job is all about building a
2024 Draft class gets early chance to take center stage at Spring Breakout
When players are taken in the early rounds of the MLB Draft, it’s easy to dream about seeing them under the bright lights of the big leagues, but a common refrain has been that fans don't get to see those players for years after they're selected. Thanks to Spring Breakout,
From Spring Breakout to MLB? Here are nine players who could soon be in The Show
The inaugural Spring Breakout in 2024 provided a platform for fans to meet many of baseball's top prospects before they began standing out in the Majors shortly thereafter. Paul Skenes striking out Jackson Holliday. Jackson Chourio reaching twice and scoring a run. Jace Jung hitting a pair of homers.
Brewers' 17-year-old international signee draws comparisons to Chourio
PHOENIX – A farm system loses an elite-level prospect like Jackson Chourio, who was the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball at the start of the 2024 season, to the big leagues, it’s easy to understand that it would take a hit in this year’s farm system rankings. So don’t
Cubs have MLB stars AND loaded farm system
MESA, Ariz. – It’s a testament to where a farm system is when a Top 100-caliber hitter gets traded away and there’s still a desire to tout the bats. The Cubs traded Cam Smith to the Astros in the Kyle Tucker deal, but they still have seven players on the
Griffin boosts Pirates system, known for producing arms, with some pop
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Pirates’ strength in pitching is obvious. This is the organization that drafted Paul Skenes after all and saw him become the National League All-Star starter one year later. Jared Jones and Mitch Keller serve as more developmental success stories on the bump, and Top 100 prospects
New Rays prospect additions fitting right into the organizational mold
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Thirteen members of the Rays’ Top 30 prospect list weren’t in the organization at this time last year. Two arrived in the 2024 Draft, one was a 2025 international signee and a whopping 10 have come over in trades since last March. Normally with that level
Headlined by big-name bats, Mariners' system strong on pitching depth, too
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners placed fifth in MLB Pipeline's new farm system rankings, thanks in large part to their seven Top 100 Prospects. That total ties them with the Cubs for the most in baseball, and all seven of them are hitters. Don't get the impression that the organization
All eyes turn to hurlers Sykora, Susana in Nats camp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Last year in Spring Training, Nationals manager Dave Martinez named the section of young hitting prospects in big league camp led by James Wood and Dylan Crews "Hope Row." While Robert Hassell III and Brady House are still prospects, Wood has graduated and Crews will