Camilo Doval, RHP
DOB: July 4, 1997
BATS: R  /  THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: International Signing, Oct. 28, 2015
LAST LEVEL: High-A
VOLATILITY: High

Lev
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
R
HR
BB
SO
HBP
WP
WHIP
BB9
SO9
SO/W
2018
Augusta
A
3.06
44
0
11
53.0
40
24
18
2
27
78
3
15
1.264
4.6
13.2
2.89
2019
San Jose
A+
3.83
45
0
0
56.1
41
26
24
2
34
80
4
6
1.331
5.4
12.8
2.35
All Levels (4 Seasons)
3.31
118
0
13
163.1
117
70
60
4
85
233
12
35
1.237
4.7
12.8
2.74

See Full Stats Here

GiantFutures Ranks: #2 Relief Pitcher

Performance: Doval has made a slow, steady way up the minor league ladder, and had another solid season in the hitter-friendly California League in 2019.  Posting a 3.83 ERA across 45 appearances, Doval did what he’s normally been consistent at: striking out a lot, and dominating right-handed batters.

Doval did continue some trends, not all of which are unexpected.  For the third straight season, his BB9 rate increased (from 3.6 in 2017 to 4.6 in 2018 to 5.4 in 2019), and is SO9 rate decreased (14.2 to 13.2 to 12.8).  Neither of those are particularly troubling, as hitters will get more selective at higher levels.

He also continued to struggle in short bursts, having multi-run games inbetween stretches of good pitching.  His second game of 2019 he allowed six runs on four hits and two walks, and his ERA was a constant walk down from the 47.25 it was at after that game.

Doval impressed the Giants all summer and fall between the alternate site and instructional league, reportedly getting his fastball closer to 100 mph.  The Giants put him on the taxi squad late in the season, though he did not make a Major League appearance.  The Giants also added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Doval doesn’t have the hardest fastball in the system, sitting in the mid-90’s, but he has one of the most unique ones with a near side-arm delivery which gives him both deception and unusual motion for a hard fastball.  He only other pitch is a slider that he’s turned into a great weapon against right-handed batters

Doval’s biggest enemy is left-handed batters.  His splits got even more pronounced in 2019, as he had a 1.02 WHIP against right-handed batters, but a 2.20 WHIP against lefties.  LHB picked up 20 hits in 15 innings against Doval, including 2 home runs, while RHB got just 21 hits in 41.1 innings, with no home runs.  If Doval can find a pitch to even things up against left-handed batter, it’ll unlock of his full potential.

Doval’s control also needs some improvement, although he’s worked well enough with it so far.  He tends to fall completely out of control for entire outings, and be in better control otherwise.  Most of his ERA spikes come from single games giving up a lot of runs.   His need to improve his control may be more about gaining the consistency to avoid those big game losses.

2021 Outlook: Doval faced a lot of advanced batters in 2020, just not in front of fans, and he reportedly left the Giants very impressed.  It’s not yet known if he’s added a better weapon to face lefties with.  Either way, he’s likely to be in Double-A this season, with tickets waiting for Sacramento if he continues to impress.  The Giants love him, and a 2021 Major League debut seems to be a little more likely than not.

Future Profile: The tools are here for a late-inning reliever, even a closer, if he can just find that pitch against LHB and stop the complete loss of control in random games.  Otherwise, a lot of his future may hang on whether or not the 3-batter rule remains in the Major Leagues, because as is he would be an incredible ROOGY, but if he has to face lefties in big situations, then he wouldn’t be used in the same high-leverage situations.  But if he’s got that third pitch…watch out.