Rays Ride Junior Caminero's Hot Bat in AL East Race

With the Tampa Bay Rays just 2.5 games behind the New York Yankees going into Friday, part of that success can be attributed to 21-year-old breakout star Junior Caminero, who has been electric to start the 2025 season.

In 71 games with the Rays this season, Caminero has hit 17 home runs, ranking him among the top five American League hitters, trailing only Cal Raleigh, Aaron Judge, and Taylor Ward for home runs. He also has a .262 batting average, a .309 on-base percentage, a .505 slugging percentage and an .814 OPS. This production at the plate has helped propel the Rays to second place in the American League East standings.

In a game where the Rays came back from their largest deficit to defeat the Orioles, who scored eight runs before the second inning, Caminero ended the night with an impressive 4-for-5 performance that included two RBI. This was Caminero’s second four-hit performance this season.

In last 30 games this season before Thursday, he has slashed .286/.346/.597. If Caminero can maintain this pace at the plate, it is not an exaggerated statement to say he could make his first All-Star team this summer.

But for now, the Rays will open a three-game home series against the Detroit Tigers on Friday. First pitch at Steinbrenner Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.