Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero had a forever moment this past offseason when he hit a game-winning home run for the Escogido del Leonés in LIDOM against the Tigres del Licey to send his team to the Caribbean Series.
Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke to World Baseball Network about the Dominican slugger’s memorable home run, his raw talent, and his outlook in the future in MLB.
“It was very cool because I went to the Dominican Republic to visit him the week before,” Cash told World Baseball Network. “I watched him hit really well, leading into that game. Those are moments that you can’t get back, and you have to put into your memory bank. It’s only going to help him further advance his MLB career.”
Caminero, 21, played 10 games in LIDOM last winter and 23 games for the Escogido del Leonés in 2023-2024. He is in play to make the bench for Team Dominican Republic in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, with Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramirez currently projected as the starter.
Cleveland signed Caminero as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He didn’t make his professional debut until 2021 with their Dominican Summer League team due to the canceled minor league season in 2020. He was traded to the Rays before the 2022 season for right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers.
Moreover, Caminero also played in the Australian Baseball League for the Perth Heat from 2022 to 2023. He had 14 home runs, 37 RBI, and an OPS of .981 for the Perth Heat.
“His raw talent is pretty indisputable. It’s really impressive how he can impact the baseball and how hard he’s worked to get better defensively, “Cash said. “He’s going to do a lot of damage with a bat in his hands for many years.”
Caminero has six home runs, 14 RBI, and a slashline of .242/.272/.430/ in 128 at-bats this season. On defense, he has committed two errors with a fielding percentage of .969. Cash also discussed what he can improve to become a more complete player.
“I think what he can learn is how pitchers are attacking him, and having elite pitch selection is going to continue to uplift his game,” Cash said.
He made his MLB debut with the Rays on September 23, 2023, against the Toronto Blue Jays and played seven MLB games in 2023. He got a little bit of a longer look in 2024, playing 43 MLB games. This season, he was the starting third baseman coming out of Spring Training with the Rays.
Junior Caminero has a chance to finish as the top 3rd basemen this year…He launched his 6th homer of the year!
110.6 MPH EV and 410 feet????
A bright future ahead for Caminero!
pic.twitter.com/zkEHflOh3o— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) April 30, 2025
His MLB career numbers are 13 home runs, 39 RBI, and a slash line of .245/.287/.419 in 327 at-bats.
