Even as Junior Caminero pulled off his latest feat of amazing — crushing the second-longest homer of his career off a Tropicana Field catwalk on July 31 — his Tampa Bay Rays teammates remain anything but surprised.
“He’ll go over the batter’s eye,” catcher Nick Fortes told the News-Journal. “He’ll go to places in the Trop that you don’t really see balls going ever. He’s a freak of nature when it comes to swinging the bat.”
Yes, Caminero is a superstar. Already.
The third baseman just turned 23 last month, yet appeared in his second All-Star Game and second Home Run Derby.
With that towering shot against the Chicago White Sox — one that Statcast measured at 109.5 mph and a projected 453 feet, had the catwalk not gotten in the way — Caminero joined Carlos Pena as the only Rays sluggers to reach 30 dingers in back-to-back seasons.
He’s also the sixth-youngest player to tally consecutive 30-homer campaigns. You might recognize the other names on the list: Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Jimmie Foxx, Eddie Mathews and Giancarlo Stanton.
“Thank you to God for another good year,” Caminero told reporters through interpreter Kevin Vera. “Thirty is a good number right now, at this point of the season. We’re looking for more. Just really thankful for everything that I’ve been given last year and everything that I’ve been given this year so far. But not done yet.”
Caminero debuted in the major leagues at age 20. He had cups of coffee in 2023 and 2024 before blossoming in a full-time role a year ago. The result: 45 home runs, 110 RBIs and a .264 batting average.
This summer, he’s been even better.
His batting average is up nearly 20 points. His on-base percentage has jumped 60 points. And as he’s grown more disciplined, that light-tower power hasn’t gone anywhere. He padded his long-ball total to 32 on Aug. 3.
“He’s a phenomenal hitter, phenomenal baseball player,” said Fortes, a DeLand native. “He’s a great clubhouse guy, too — super positive and fun to be around. He’s still so young, so it’s pretty cool to watch what he does on a daily basis at the highest level. He makes it look so easy for how young he is.”
The Rays are making it look easy, too.
They own the best record in the American League and are charging toward their first playoff appearance since 2023. Before the trade deadline earlier this week, they made a flurry of moves, including acquiring catcher Liam Hicks from the Miami Marlins and starting pitcher Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets, to supplement the talent they already possess.
Caminero serves as the headliner.
“It’s something you just have to appreciate,” Fortes said, “because you don’t see players like him come around too often.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Tampa Bay Rays teammate marvels at ‘freak of nature’ Junior Caminero
