Rays' Junior Caminero joins list of MLB legends with latest HR

Friday night's game is probably one that most Tampa Bay Rays will want to forget. The Rays fell 6-1 to the surging Chicago White Sox. 

However, the series-opening loss still included a moment that Junior Caminero may want to hold on to throughout the rest of his career. 

Junior Caminero made history with his 30th HR 

At only 23, Caminero joined a group of MLB legends when he hit his 30th home run of the season in the fourth inning. A solo shot that ended up standing as the Rays' only run of the game made Caminero the sixth-youngest player to record consecutive seasons with 30 or more home runs. 

The Dominican Republic native, who hit a career-high 45 last season, joined a list that includes legendary names like Miguel Cabrera (2004-05), Albert Pujols (2001-02), Jimmie Foxx (1929-30), Eddie Mathews (1953-54) and most recently Giancarlo Stanton (2011-12).  

Caminero is on pace to set a new career-high before the end of the 2026 season

Caminero now has exactly 30 home runs in 109 games and 412 at-bats, putting him on pace to surpass his 2025 total. He's on track to reach 50 for the first time in his four-year career.