'It was not an easy decision': Saguaro All-Arizona baseball player Cam Caminiti reclassifies to 2024

Cam Caminiti is ready for his next step. That would be either Major League Baseball or college. And, for him to get there sooner, the Scottsdale Saguaro High School center fielder is reclassifying.

He's now about to hit the summer before what would be his senior year, after reclassifying from 2025 to 2024. The move means he expects to graduate early and be eligible for the draft or earlier entry into a college program.

"It was not an easy decision, but, with the support of my parents, and Coach (Joe) Meuke, Saguaro and my teammates, I feel that I will be ready in 2024," Caminiti said. "I really am just focusing on getting 1% better everyday.

"I have always had opportunities to play with older kids in summer travel ball, playing up one or two years my age."

Last summer, Caminiti, who committed as a freshman to LSU, played with the 18U Chi Town Cream as a 15-year-old, batting leadoff and playing center field, as he did this past high school season at Saguaro.

"The older boys made me feel part of the team," Caminiti said. "We finished second in the country. That really helped build my confidence that I can compete at a high level."

Caminit, whose cousin was the late major leaguer Ken Caminiti (the 1996 National League MVP), made The Arizona Republic's All-Arizona team this season, hitting .446 with 29 hits, 31 runs, 25 RBI, seven doubles, two triples and four home runs.

He had an .800 slugging percentage and stole 10 bases. He helped lead the Sabercats to the 4A state championship game, before losing to Oro Valley Canyon del Oro 4-1. Caminii is considered a five-tool player who can run, field, hit for power and average and throw.

Dominic Caminiti, Cam's dad, said that several Major League Baseball area scouts feel that Cam is ready now for a high draft pick in 2024.

"The Tigers and Padres both invited him to their pre-draft workouts," Dominic said. "It was a tough decision that he made after a week or so of reflection and talking with his mental-performance coach. He is a young man now.

"My wife and I don't want to see him leave us a year early, but we want to see him chase his goals and dreams more."

Dominic said he dropped his son off at the airport on Sunday for his summer ball travel.

"That was tough knowing that this is his last summer of summer ball as a kid," Dominic said.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert