Tampa Bay Rays All-Star third baseman Junior Caminero has made a significant mark by matching a historic home run milestone. On Wednesday night, he hit his 34th home run in the ninth inning during an 8-2 victory over the Athletics, tying Giancarlo Stanton’s record for the seventh-most home runs hit by a player aged 22 or younger within their first 116 games of a season, according to TSN’s StatsCentre. Caminero, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on July 5, continues to impress this season with his powerful hitting.
Historic Company Among Baseball’s Youngest Power Hitters
Caminero’s achievement places him alongside some of baseball’s most legendary names. Leading the list are three National Baseball Hall of Famers: Johnny Bench, the famed Cincinnati Reds catcher who hit 40 home runs in 1970; Joe DiMaggio, the New York Yankees icon with 39 home runs in 1937; and Eddie Mathews, who launched 36 homers in 1953 and had several seasons with 40 or more home runs early in his career.
Other players surpassing Caminero include San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr., who equaled Bench’s 40 homers in 2021, Cody Bellinger, the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year with 37 home runs, and Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had 35 in 2021. This group reflects some of the most explosive young hitters in recent history.
Current Season Performance Highlights Caminero’s Rise
In August alone, Caminero has blasted seven home runs over 12 games, with six of those coming in Tampa Bay’s past seven outings. His consistent power surge has placed him sixth overall in Major League Baseball and second among third basemen, just behind Seattle’s Eugenio Suarez, who leads with 37 home runs. Caminero also ranks second in slugging percentage (.532) at his position, narrowly trailing Suarez’s .536 mark.
Since joining the Rays, Caminero has steadily developed into a key offensive player. Tampa Bay acquired him in a trade with the Cleveland franchise on November 19, 2021, exchanging right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers. Caminero made his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB debut less than two years later, on September 23, 2023, facing the Toronto Blue Jays. This current season represents his first full year in the majors, and he is hitting .262 with 84 runs batted in and a .300 on-base percentage.
Significance Within Rays’ Roster and Baseball’s Future
Caminero’s emergence as a young power hitter provides a promising outlook for the Tampa Bay Rays’ offensive lineup, offering hope for continued success. Achieving such a home run total at a young age and during his initial full season not only places him in elite company but also suggests significant potential for a long and impactful career. His progress signals that the Rays have secured a talent who can be a cornerstone for years to come, while his performance continues to attract national attention in the MLB landscape.
With his current momentum and age advantage, Caminero is poised to challenge historic records held by iconic players, an exciting prospect for both the Rays and their fans. As the season progresses, his ability to maintain this power surge will be a major storyline to watch.