When Christin Stewart was optioned to the alternate site in Toledo, Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire left fans with an ominous message for the corresponding move, but promising something exciting. That question has been answered in the form of Daz Cameron.
Welcome to the Show!
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 9, 2020
The #Tigers today recalled OF Daz Cameron from the alternate training site. Cameron is the club’s No. 7 prospect in the organization according to @MLBPipeline. pic.twitter.com/zrkAEqBWyt
The Tigers continue to call up their young prospects, adding Cameron to an already fairly sizable list. He was ranked seventh on our Bless You Boys preseason prospect list, and he holds the same rank on MLB Pipeline.
A plus runner and overall graceful athlete, Cameron can steal a base but will have to learn to be more efficient in the future. That speed to go along with plus defensive instincts will allow him to stay in center for the long haul, and he has the arm strength needed for an outfield corner. Cameron’s ceiling is still coming into focus, but all the pieces are there for him to develop into an everyday center fielder at the highest level.
The 23-year-old outfielder slashed .214/.330/.377 with 13 homers in Toledo last year with a 28.8 percent strikeout rate. Though he did walk at an 11.8 percent clip. It’s worth noting that at 22 years old he was one of the younger players in the International League, where the average age was 26.
Last year was his first full year at the Triple A level, getting a small taste in 2018 after a putting up impressive numbers in Erie that season. He’s joining a Tigers roster that should allow him to get ample playing time to prove that he belongs with the big club.
Defensively, his athleticism will allow him to play in any of the outfield positions. He utilizes his innate qualities and instincts to be a very solid defender. Offensively, he does swing and miss, but he’s shown the ability to hit for some power and be a threat on the basepaths.
Cameron, son of former MLB All-Star Mike Cameron, was taken 37th overall as a high schooler in the 2015 draft by the Houston Astros. This will make Cameron the second of the three prospects acquired in the Justin Verlander trade to make their debut with Detroit, while we still wait on Franklin Perez.
He is the latest prospect to debut along with Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Isaac Paredes, and Sergio Alcantara. He’ll be the Tigers’ right fielder and hit seventh in his first major league game on Wednesday.
Daz Cameron Home Run!
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) August 22, 2019
*Rinse*
*Repeat*#RoadToDetroit pic.twitter.com/3DTRzrEb9q