Tampa Bay Rays third base Junior Caminero (13) hits an RBI single during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Rays All-Star achieves franchise, MLB history with 40th HR

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 12:04 AM ET

When Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero hit his 40th home run of the season, he accomplished more than just achieve a significant personal milestone.

Caminero, 22, joined some elite company on Tuesday night, both as a member of the Rays franchise and in MLB history.

For starters, Caminero became the fourth youngest player ever to reach 40 home runs.

Based on their age on the final day of the regular season, the only players to hit 40 or more bombs in a season are Mel Ott, who finished with 42 at 20 in 1929, Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. from when he clubbed 41 at 21 in 2019 and a slightly older 21-year-old Eddie Matthews with 47 in 1953.

Youngest players with 40+ home runs in a season (by age on final day of szn):

1929 Mel Ott: 20y 218d (42 HR)
2019 Ronald Acuña Jr.: 21y 285d (41)
1953 Eddie Mathews: 21y 349d (47)
2025 Junior Caminero: will be 22y 85d

h/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 3, 2025

But if one historic achievement wasn't enough, Caminero's 2025 season will now be even more memorable for Rays' fans.

Caminero continues to chase the title as Tampa Bay's single-season home run king. He's now only the second Rays player to ever hit 40 home runs, joining Carlos Pena's 46-homer campaign in 2007. Brandon Lowe fell one shy, finishing with 39 in 2021.

Junior Caminero turned 22 less than two months ago.

He just became the 2nd player in @RaysBaseball history to hit 40 HR in a season. https://t.co/IIXPWsq8gL pic.twitter.com/kKwEPVud4Y
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025

It was in the sixth inning with nobody on and nobody out that Caminero smoked a pitch to deep left field. At the time of Caminero's solo shot, Tampa Bay was trailing the Seattle Mariners, 3-2.

SAVE THAT BALL

Junior's 40th homer this season ties it! pic.twitter.com/1uRpOXRU7r
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 3, 2025

And then, the game was all tied up after one swing of the bat from the Rays' young budding star. Making Caminero's home run even more meaningful, Tampa Bay would go on to win by just one run, getting by the Mariners, 6-5.

The win also clinched the series for Tampa Bay, as it now looks for the sweep on Wednesday.

For another special milestone for Caminero, he now has exactly 100 RBI thanks to driving in four runs on the night. He went 3-for-4, upping his batting average to .262 in 132 games played.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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