Junior Caminero joins elite company with 35th home run

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rays superstar Junior Caminero joins elite company with 35th home run

By Josh Davis Jr. | Last updated Aug 12, 2026 8:56 AM ET

Junior Caminero joined exclusive company while helping the Tampa Bay Rays extend their winning streak to eight games on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old third baseman crushed his 35th home run of the season during the Rays' 12-4 victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Caminero drove Mason Barnett’s first-inning pitch 412 feet to center field for a two-run homer that gave the Rays an early lead.

The blast gave Caminero back-to-back MLB seasons with at least 35 home runs after he finished with 45 in 2025. He became only the third player in MLB history to produce back-to-back 35-homer campaigns at the age of 23 or younger, joining Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews and former American League MVP Juan Gonzalez.

ESPN Insights shared the historical comparison after Caminero reached the milestone.

CAMINERO'S BAT STAYS HOT

Junior Caminero has back-to-back 35 HR seasons before turning 23, joining Eddie Mathews and Juan González as the only players in MLB history to do so at age 23 or younger. pic.twitter.com/5pjCZS3NRg
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) August 12, 2026

Junior Caminero joins Eddie Mathews, Juan Gonzalez in MLB history

Caminero’s latest accomplishment further strengthens his standing among baseball’s premier young power hitters. He has followed his 45-homer breakout season by reaching 35 before the middle of August, leaving him within range of another 40-home run campaign.

The home run also moved Caminero into a tie for the MLB lead with Matt Olson, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Schwarber. His continued production has helped Tampa Bay remain among the American League’s leading contenders.

Tuesday’s homer marked Caminero’s second in as many nights. He also delivered a three-run shot during an eight-run eighth inning in the Rays’ 10-6 comeback victory Monday.

The two-time All-Star started another offensive outburst one night later. Tampa Bay hit six home runs in Tuesday’s victory, including two from Taylor Walls and one apiece from Yandy Díaz, Victor Mesa Jr., and Carson Williams.

Caminero’s historic power has remained central to that run and reinforced his status as a cornerstone of Tampa Bay’s present and future.

Josh Davis Jr.

Josh Davis is a sports journalist and editor covering MLB, NFL, NBA, college football, and college basketball. He is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Davis currently serves as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and is the founder of OutOfSightSports.

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