Junior Alberto Caminero
- Age: 20
- Weight: 157 lbs, Height: 6'1"
- Major League Debut: 23rd September, 2023
- Team: Tampa Bay Rays
From Prospect to Powerhouse
Born on July 5th, 2003, in Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic, Caminero has been playing baseball since he was small, playing for the “Robles” in the DR where he won his first MVP title.
Although losing to Japan and Puerto Rico in the 2016 Cal Ripken Tournament, Camerino had much baseball experience in an international scale. He was eventually picked up by the Cleveland Guardians (Formerly Indians) and was signed as an international free agent in 2019.
Well, few months after he was signed, COVID struck and baseball was tough, there was no minor league season for him to shine. However, it did not stop Caminero to grind harder.
2021 Dominican Summer League
In 2021, Caminero made his first professional debut in the rookie Dominican Summer League with the Guardians, slashing .295/.380/.534 over 171 plate appearances. He was still 17 at the time.
The video demonstrates the raw power he had as a teenager to hit the ball hard, showing the many possibilities he has in the future to become better, and even to become an All-Star in the League.
2023 Double-A Montgomery Biscuit
Fast forward to 2022, the Guardians traded Caminero to the Rays in exchange of a near MLB ready pitcher Tobias Myers who had a combined 3.90 ERA in Double-A and Triple-A. And as we know, Rays always win trades. Caminero’s ability to hit for contact and power, together with his elite defence has proven to be a hidden gem for the Rays.
He was quickly promoted to Double-A as of 2023, where he hit a staggering .309/.373/.548 with 20 home runs and 62 RBI, securing his place as one of the top prospects in the league, where he is ranked MLB #6 Prospect.
first mlb debut
As of September 23, 2023, Caminero made his first MLB debut as the Rays’ Shortstop after 4 years he was drafted by the Guardians, hitting .235/.278/.353 with 8 hits, 7 RBI and one homer in 34 at-bats.
But the question remains, will he be good enough for the Rays in the 2024 season? Will he be added into the 2024 Opening Day Roster for the Rays? With Issac Parades/ Yandy Diaz at third base and the newly added Jose Caballero as Shortstop, frankly the competition is fierce. But I believe that he will eventually become irreplaceable part in the Rays.
Dated 10th February 2024.
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