Rays First-Time All-Star Junior Caminero Competing in Derby
Just one day after being added to the American League All-Star roster, Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero announced Wednesday that he will participate in the 2025 Home Run Derby. He joins a star-studded field that includes Byron Buxton, Oneil Cruz, Cal Raleigh, James Wood and Ronald Acuña Jr.
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Caminero was named to the AL squad on Tuesday as a replacement for Alex Bregman and will serve as a reserve infielder. It marks the 22-year-old's first career All-Star selection and possibly the first of many.
A breakout star for Tampa Bay, Caminero leads the Rays with 21 home runs this season and holds a .252 batting average with a 118 OPS+, indicating he's been an above-average hitter. He joins fellow infielders Brandon Lowe and Jonathan Aranda as Rays representatives in this year's Midsummer Classic.
The Rays, who sit at 49–43 and five games back in the AL East, remain in playoff contention despite a rough recent stretch. Caminero's rise is part of a broader youth movement fueling the club's resurgence in one of baseball's toughest divisions.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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