Junior Caminero is two shy of Carlos Pena’s team mark of 46 homers
TAMPA, Fla. – Though the Rays are this close to being officially eliminated in the American League wild-card race following Monday’s 2-1 loss in 11 innings to Toronto, there are at least a few reasons to keep tabs on what takes place in the season’s final 12 games.
After all, led by Junior Caminero, there is the potential to make a mark or two within the team record book as well as achieve personal milestones.
Here is a look at few such possible achievements. (Statistics are through Monday’s game versus the Blue Jays)
Junior Caminero – The 22-year-old third baseman is the second player in the team’s 29 seasons to hit at least 40 home runs. His 44 homers, divided equally between home and road, are two shy of the club record 46 that Carlos Pena launched in 2007. Caminero, who is sixth in MLB in homers, is fourth in Rays history with 108 RBI. He is 13 shy of Pena’s mark of 121 established in 2007. Jorge Cantu (117, 2005) is second and Evan Longoria (113, 2009) third.
Yandy Diaz – The 34-year-old Diaz has set career highs in home runs (24) and RBI (80) during a season in which he has appeared in 140 games, five shy of his career-best total from last year. With 99 home runs in a Tampa Bay uniform, Diaz is tied with Fred McGriff for eighth in club annals.
READ: Rays Return Home For Packed Homestand Against Blue Jays And Red Sox
Bradon Lowe — The 31-year-old second sacker needs two home runs to reach 30 for the second time. Lowe, who established career bests with 39 homers and 99 RBI in 2021, has 75 RBI this season, the second-most he has compiled.
Chandler Simpson – The rookie outfielder is the fifth player in Rays history to swipe at least 40 bases. With exactly 40 thefts, Simpson needs five to join Carl Crawford as the only players in Rays history to steal at least 45. Led by his 60 stolen bases in 2009, Crawford holds the top seven single-season spots in team history. Simpson needs six more SBs to tie Crawford for seventh.
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.
