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Camilo Doval: A Rising Star in MLB Relief Pitching

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Quinn Allen
August 1, 2025 1:36 AM
4 min read
Camilo Doval: A Rising Star in MLB Relief Pitching
Camilo Doval has quickly established himself as one of the premier relief pitchers in Major League Baseball, anchoring the bullpen for the San Francisco Giants. Born on July 4, 1997 in Yamasa, Dominican Republic, Doval made his MLB debut on April 18, 2021, and has since become a key figure in the Giants’ late-inning strategy. Known for his high-octane fastball—reaching up to 104 mph, the fastest pitch ever thrown by a Giants player in the Statcast era—Doval combines elite velocity with a devastating slider and, more recently, an effective sinker.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 lbs, Doval’s physical presence matches his on-field performance. Through five MLB seasons, all with San Francisco, he’s compiled impressive numbers: over 330 career strikeouts, a sub-3.30 ERA, and multiple seasons with 20+ saves. In 2023, he appeared in over 60 games for the third consecutive year and converted 23-of-28 save opportunities. His strikeout rate soared to a career-high 11.90 K/9, placing him among the top relievers in the league.

Doval’s consistency has been historic for the Giants. On July 28, 2023, he notched his 20th save of the season, becoming the first San Francisco reliever since Brian Wilson to record three straight 20-save seasons. His 39 saves that year tied for the most in the National League and were second in MLB, trailing only Emmanuel Clase. Before the All-Star break, he had already secured 26 saves, the second-most in franchise history at that point in the season—only Rod Beck’s 29 in 1997 was higher. Doval’s dominance was recognized with his first career All-Star selection, where he earned the win by pitching a scoreless inning.

Despite a rough patch in August 2023, which saw him optioned to Triple-A Sacramento for the first time since 2021, Doval rebounded after his return. He struck out 22 batters in 15 innings over his final 16 appearances and maintained a top-8% league strikeout rate (31%). His slider proved particularly effective, holding opponents to a .173 average and generating 48 strikeouts on that pitch alone. Doval was named National League Reliever of the Month twice, including a stellar May where he posted a 1.32 ERA and 11 saves.

In previous seasons, Doval’s late-season performances have been critical for the Giants’ playoff pushes. In 2022, he finished with 27 saves (sixth in the NL) and a 1.69 ERA over his final 31 games, while in 2021, he recorded a 16.1-inning scoreless streak to close the year. His average fastball velocity (98.6 mph) and spin rate (2574 rpm) rank among MLB’s elite, underpinning his effectiveness in high-leverage situations.

Doval’s journey from signing as an amateur free agent in 2015 to becoming a foundational piece of the Giants’ bullpen is a testament to his talent and work ethic. With a career record highlighted by postseason success—including a multi-inning, baserunner-free save as a rookie—he continues to set new standards for relievers in San Francisco.

For up-to-date stats, game logs, and advanced metrics, visit Camilo Doval’s ESPN profile. To explore his Statcast data and career milestones, see his Baseball Savant page.

Author
ДЛ
Quinn Allen
Sport journalist