Rays front office continues to win trades after recent promotion of top prospect
Known for their ability to find talent and develop it, the Tampa Bay Rays have shown that their front office has something special brewing again in Florida with their recent promotion of 20-year-old shortstop Junior Caminero.
The No. 6 overall prospect in MLB.com's rankings, Caminero slashed .324/.384/.591 with 31 home runs and 94 RBI across 117 games in both High-A and Double-A this season.
Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians for pitcher Tobias Myers in November 2021, this trade could go down as a franchise-altering deal for the Rays if his bat can translate to the major league level.
During his debut, he is expected to play primarily third base, as he has not played any other position since July 29. He is likely to transition to shortstop during the offseason to take over the starting duties in 2024 if he proves capable.
With suspended shortstop Wander Franco's future in serious doubt, that would be a gut blow to most franchises. Caminero has a chance to help fill that void left at the shortstop position.
With what seems to be all the tools of a future superstar, Caminero hits for power while having plenty of speed to leg out extra-base hits with 18 doubles and six triples in the minors this season and has plenty of arm strength to play at the major league level.
For the Guardians, watching his rapid ascension through the minors has to sting after cutting ties with Myers only a few months after acquiring him and with a big hole at the shortstop position after dealing starter Amed Rosario to the Los Angeles Dodgers at this year's trade deadline.
Caminero will be a player to keep an eye on as the season winds down.
He joins a roster with other gems acquired in past trades like outfielder Randy Arozarena, first baseman Yandy Diaz and third baseman Isaac Paredes.
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