Caminero’s exit velocity is eye-popping, boasting a most of 116.3 toes per second, 98th percentile according to Baseball Savant. His average bat speed of 77.2 mph ranks him fourth within the majors, tied with Aaron Choose of the New York Yankees and solely surpassed by Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz and Choose’s teammate, Giancarlo Stanton.
Caminero, who will flip 22 on July 5, has restricted main league expertise. He debuted in 2023 at age 20 and appeared in simply 50 big-league video games from 2023 and 2024.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder’s 2024 numbers within the majors — six homers, 18 RBI and a 0.7 bWAR in 43 video games — haven’t absolutely mirrored his flourishing ability set. Nevertheless, projections are promising. FanGraphs projects him to launch 27 homers in 2025, a major improve over the Rays’ prime dwelling run complete of 21 by Brandon Lowe in 2024.
In 2024, Rays supervisor Kevin Money acknowledged the problem of integrating Caminero right into a lineup in flux.
“Final 12 months [2023] was a fairly distinctive state of affairs. … Wish to assume that he is slightly bit higher seasoned for it this 12 months. And simply to have a lane — I do not assume there was a transparent lane for him final 12 months to return in and play day by day. He’ll have that now,” Cash told MLB.com’s Adam Berry in 2024.
With spring coaching underneath manner in February, these plans appear firmly in place for 2025.
Caminero’s trajectory is outstanding. Initially with Cleveland’s group, he was acquired by Tampa Bay as an unranked prospect and rapidly ascended to No. 4 on the MLB Pipeline Rank, in keeping with Baseball Savant.
His fast growth has stunned many within the group, in keeping with Rays vice chairman of participant personnel Kevin Ibach, who told MLB.com’s Adam Berry, “I’d love to take a seat right here and let you know that we knew that he would evolve to turn out to be one of the best prospect in baseball. I believe that may be silly to say. Since we acquired him, the trajectory and the way rapidly he’s ascended by the system has stunned lots of people.”
Caminero ’s roots preserve him related to his ardour for baseball. His household lives lower than 10 minutes from Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal, a storied venue for the Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido. That shut connection to baseball’s wealthy Dominican custom solely fuels his aggressive fireplace.
Because the Rays rebuild after a season of setbacks, integrating Caminero — who might be MLB’s breakout star this season — right into a revamped lineup might mark a turning level. His expertise might jump-start a return to the playoffs for Tampa Bay after a season of lacking out.
