21-year-old Tampa Bay Rays 3B could be MLB's breakout star of 2025

Caminero's exit velocity is eye-popping, boasting a maximum of 116.3 feet per second, 98th percentile according to Baseball Savant. His average bat speed of 77.2 mph ranks him fourth in the majors, tied with Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and only surpassed by Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber, Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz and Judge's teammate, Giancarlo Stanton.

Caminero, who will turn 22 on July 5, has limited major league experience. He debuted in 2023 at age 20 and appeared in just 50 big-league games combined in 2023 and 2024. 

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder's 2024 numbers in the majors — six homers, 18 RBI and a 0.7 bWAR in 43 games — haven’t fully reflected his flourishing skill set. However, projections are promising. FanGraphs projects him to launch 27 homers in 2025, a significant upgrade over the Rays' top home run total of 21 by Brandon Lowe in 2024.

In 2024, Rays manager Kevin Cash acknowledged the challenge of integrating Caminero into a lineup in flux.

“Last year [2023] was a pretty unique situation. … Like to think that he's a little bit better seasoned for it this year. And just to have a lane — I don't think there was a clear lane for him last year to come in and play every day. He's going to have that now,” Cash told MLB.com's Adam Berry in 2024. 

With spring training under way in February, those plans seem firmly in place for 2025.

Caminero’s trajectory is remarkable. Originally with Cleveland's organization, he was acquired by Tampa Bay as an unranked prospect and quickly ascended to No. 4 on the MLB Pipeline Rank, according to Baseball Savant. 

His rapid development has surprised many in the organization, according to Rays vice president of player personnel Kevin Ibach, who told MLB.com's Adam Berry, “I’d love to sit here and tell you that we knew that he would evolve to become the best prospect in baseball. I think that would be foolish to say. Since we acquired him, the trajectory and how quickly he’s ascended through the system has surprised a lot of people.”

Caminero ’s roots keep him connected to his passion for baseball. His family lives less than 10 minutes from Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal, a storied venue for the Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido. That close connection to baseball’s rich Dominican tradition only fuels his competitive fire.

As the Rays rebuild after a season of setbacks, integrating Caminero — who could be MLB's breakout star this season — into a revamped lineup could mark a turning point. His skills may jump-start a return to the playoffs for Tampa Bay after a season of missing out.