Junior Caminero has had a big 2023, dominating the minor leagues and making his MLB debut, but the Tampa Bay Rays' top prospect isn't done bolstering his resume just yet.
The 20-year-old infielder returned to the Dominican Republic for some winter ball action, enjoying plenty of success at the plate with Leones del Escogido.
Caminero had possibly his best game yet on Friday, when he went 4-for-4 with a viral moonshot to straightaway center.
In 21 games with Escogido, Caminero is batting .333 with five home runs, 15 RBI and a .936 OPS.
Caminero rocketed through the Rays' farm system this past year, going from High-A all the way to the majors after skipping Triple-A entirely. He is Tampa Bay's top-ranked prospect, on top of being the No. 6 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
The shortstop/third baseman is a .316 hitter with 51 home runs, 178 RBI and a .938 OPS in 223 career minor league appearances. Although he hit just .235 with a .631 OPS in his first taste of big league action this September, he rocketed a 113-mile-per-hour single in his MLB debut and crushed his first-ever homer in the Rays' regular season finale on Oct. 1.
Caminero isn't the only MLB star or top prospect to spend some time playing outside of the United States this offseason. San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marte both made headlines in the Dominican Republic alongside Caminero, while Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. starred in the Venezuelan league.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez and Texas Rangers infielder Josh H. Smith are among Caminero's teammates on the Leones.
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