SF Giants Prospects: 2021 Preseason Top 31 Rankings

SF Giants top prospects: No. 31 — RHP Camilo Doval

Age: 23
Highest Level: High-A (San Jose)
Acquired: IFA (2015)
Future-Value Grade: 35+

Camilo Doval was the best relief prospect in the organization by the end of last year. While that’s not the case anymore, after a pair of starters have been moved to the bullpen, little has changed in his profile. In Major League camp this spring, Doval has already shown his tantalizing potential in his lone appearance. Still, the same questions surrounding command remain as strong as ever.

In his last two minor-league seasons, Doval got cuffed in his first couple outings and then locked into a period of dominance. Below are Doval’s numbers in 2018 (with Class-A Augusta), 2019 (with High-A San Jose), and with his first three appearances removed.

Camilo Doval Full 2018 & 2019 Stats

Camilo Doval 2018 & 2019 Stats (without first three appearances)

Doval has elite closer upside. He works out of a funky three-quarters delivery that makes it difficult for hitters to pick up his already elite pitch arsenal. Doval frisbees in a high 90s four-seamer that registers strong spin rates and a 88-92 mph cutter/slider with nasty late horizontal movement. Early in his career, Doval had major fluctuations in his velocity, but he has begun maintaining premium velocity over the past year.

Likely accentuated by his unusual motion, Doval still struggles to locate with consistency. If he develops just 40-grade command, his peculiar arm-angle should enable him to be tough on right-handed batters. If he were there, he probably would have been a mainstay out of the Giants bullpen last year. Instead, we are left wondering when things will click.