Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Rays First-Time All-Star Junior Caminero Competing in Derby

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Anthony Arroyo | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 5:35 PM ET

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.

Talk about in-flight entertainment…

La Máxima x The #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/qIDx1oenBu
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 9, 2025

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.

Let’s do it.

Junior Caminero is an All-Star. pic.twitter.com/beSEvka3PI
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 9, 2025

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.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: