Junior Caminero
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| MiLB.com |
Age: 19
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Draft Profile: Signed as International Free Agent July 2nd, 2019
Drafted Out of: N/A
Career Stat Line: .318 AVG .390 OBP 29 HR 112 RBI 16 SB 0.918 Fielding %
Back to the international prospects we go for this week's Spotlight, specifically to the #5 ranked minor leaguer in the stacked Tampa Bay system: Junior Caminero. The infielder has grown to be known for his pop at the plate as well as his defensive versatility, but what about his journey to this point?
Things all started for Caminero in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the DR. The teenager was a fast grower-- bursting onto the international scene with a projectable frame, tons of raw power and the ability to play any infield position. The Cleveland Guardians took note of this in July of 2019, signing the 15 year old to an undisclosed signing bonus.
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| Guardians Prospective |
After losing the 2020 campaign to COVID, Cleveland's new prospect didn't have to travel far to his new assignment at the rookie-level Dominican Summer League. If you watched Junior play though, it was as if there was no layoff at all. The kid produced an impressive .295/9/33 line over the course of 43 games, while playing every position in the infield and striking out just eight more times than he walked (MiLB.com). It was an impressive display by one of the younger players on the circuit.
Then came November 19th, 2021. Despite the optimism surrounding his first professional season, the Guardians were willing to move on from the raw up and comer. After some negotiations with Tampa Bay, Cleveland decided to ship Caminero down to the Rays for right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers (Wikipedia). At the time, it was by no means a splash move.
Junior split time between the Florida Complex League and Low-A ball during his first minor league season with the Rays. In 62 games, he slashed an eye-catching .314/11/51 stat line. In the process, he stole twelve bases and maintained a sub 2:1 K:BB ratio. The kid continued to show a great eye and real power at the dish, as well as speed on the base paths. It was now just a matter of finding out exactly where he'd end up defensively. Many believed third base would be the only natural fit positionally, but he still continued to get some work in at short and second (FanGraphs).
Last winter, the club assigned Caminero to the Australian League-- a growing trend across many prospects we're coming to see! He got in 39 games Down Under as a member of the Perth Heat, hitting .303 with a team-leading 14 dingers and 37 RBI (Perth Heat). It was a productive stretch of work for the ascending prospect, limiting his downtime as he approached the final season before his Rule 5 eligibility.
Tampa sent the 19 year old to High-A Bowling Green to begin his 2023 campaign. Like every other previous assignment, Caminero's excelled in the early weeks of the season here, ripping an absolutely torrid .355/9/28 line. The contact and patience at the plate are there, he's got power to all fields, can play any infield position, and again, is still just a teenager. Seems like the Rays have managed to win another trade...who'd have thunk?
Make sure to keep an eye on this young stud as he continues to not only ascend the Tampa Bay prospect rankings, but potentially into the top 100 of the whole league. A move up to AA ball feels imminent, which might not be the end of his promotions this season if his bat stays scorching. And by this time next season, if the Rays don't feel like risking him getting swiped in the Rule 5 Draft, he'll be up in the big leagues. Don't forget the name of this budding star.
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@Choppinglines
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