Rays Star Junior Caminero Reaches Home Run Derby Semifinals at MLB All-Star Weekend
· Yahoo Sports
Tampa Bay Rays superstar was on full display to kick off All-Star Weekend on Monday. Rays third baseman Junior Caminero competed in the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Home Run Derby started with a bang as both Willson Contreras and Jordan Walker picked up 13 long balls in the first round to begin the night.
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Caminero took care of business in the first round and hit 12 homers to advance to the 2nd round with Contreras, Walker, and Kyle Schwarber, who hit 10. Caminero's longest home run of the contest was 487 feet according to Statcast.
"Enjoy it. Breathe. Concentrate," Caminero said, "And give the best of me to get that trophy."
Unfortunately, the second round didn't go as planned. After only hitting 5 home runs in the next round, he lost by one to St. Louis Cardinals Jordan Walker, one round shy of the championship.
This marks the second straight season Caminero has found himself in the final four contests in the Derby, as he was the runner-up to Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh last season.
479 feet and 478 feet on back-to-back swings from Junior Caminero! #HRDerbypic.twitter.com/26Y5Et15o8
— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2026
Despite the loss, Caminero is still off to a great start this season. He is 4th in baseball with 28 home runs, and 6th overall with a .927 OPS. He is widely seen as a frontrunner for the American League MVP award, an honor for which he finished 9th just last year.
He is also a major reason the Rays are being considered big-time buyers at the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline. The team holds the best record in the American League heading into the break, at 56-38, and leads the New York Yankees by 3 games for the division lead.
It won't be the last time we see Caminero in Philadelphia this week, as he will join 4 other Rays teammates in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night. He will play alongside Yandy Diaz, Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, and Drew Rasmussen. Caminero will bat in the cleanup spot and start at 3rd base for the All-Star showdown.