The third baseman has impressed at the plate and in the field during his first full MLB season
TAMPA, Fla. – Junior Caminero came out swinging. In fact, it appeared he was still in Atlanta, swatting big flies. The American League all-star and Home Run Derby participant hit a pair of homers in the Rays’ 11-1 win over the Orioles on Friday evening at Steinbrenner Field.
Caminero’s first homer bashed the scoreboard on its way to what would have been an estimated 439 feet, the longest home run at Steinbrenner Field by a member of the home team this season, and second-longest to the Rangers’ Jake Burger, who hit one 442 feet in early June.
READ: Here Are The Other Years The Rays Had At Least Four All-Stars
Caminero, who turned 22 on July 5, joined an exclusive fraternity consisting of Juan Soto (2021), Albert Pujols (2009) and Ken Griffey, Jr. (2000) as the only players to have a multi-HR performance in their first post-all-star break game after competing in the derby.
“I’m concentrating on helping the team win,” he said after Friday’s game. “The All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby, that’s behind me. My focus is just to win ballgames here and help the team win.”
He has been doing very good job of that as the Rays have won their first two post-break games, including 4-3 over Baltimore on Saturday evening. The Rays will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon beginning at 12:10.
READ: Rays Bullpen Providing Far More Heartburn Than Relief
Caminero, who doubled in four at-bats Saturday, has 44 RBI in his last 47 games. He is tied for third in the American League with 25 home runs, is fifth with 64 RBI and seventh in slugging at .516.
The third baseman had cameos in 2023 and 2024, totaling 50 games and 199 at-bats while putting one impressive batting practice display after another. The Rays paved the way for Caminero by trading Isaac Paredes to the Cubs for Christopher Morel and Hunter Bigge at last year’s trade deadline. Not only has he not disappointed in his first full season in the majors, but he has been eye-opening good.
“I think we all marvel at how he continues to adjust and go through some ups and downs,” said manager Kevin Cash. “Watching pitchers attack him, he handles a lot of different pitches. He is in the strike zone swinging at strikes. He’s pretty dangerous.”
Caminero has developed into a pretty darn good player at the hot corner as well, snagging one shot after another and displaying not only a strong arm across the diamond, but an accurate one.
READ: Tampa Bay Rays Set For New Ownership As $1.7 Billion Sale Nears Completion
“He is a better defensive player now than he was in spring training, and that is a credit to him,” said Cash.
Caminero gives credit to assistant coach Brady North for his progress in the field.
“I have to give him a lot of credit because I have been working a lot with him,” he said. “I have been working hard and you guys are seeing the results.”
The results are sure to continue, which will be a very good thing for Rays fans at Steinbrenner Field where Caminero is hitting .321 with 16 homers.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
