Junior Caminero delivered a standout performance, going 4-for-4 with a home run in the Dominican Republic's 12-4 exhibition win over the Tigers. The Tampa Bay Rays third baseman impressed with powerful hits during the World Baseball Classic warmup in his hometown of Santo Domingo. Manager Kevin Cash praised Caminero's ability to shine in big moments.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Junior Caminero made an immediate impact in the Dominican Republic's preparations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On Tuesday night at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, Caminero's hometown, he went 4-for-4 as the designated hitter in a 12-4 victory over the Tigers. His hits included a home run and three singles, all showcasing his power at the plate.
The balls leaped off Caminero's bat with impressive exit velocities: 110.1 mph and 112.5 mph for his first two singles, 107.8 mph for the home run, and a game-high 118.5 mph for his final single. For context, Caminero's hardest hit in a Major League game was 116.7 mph on a double against Yoendrys Gómez on Sept. 9, while he reached 117.2 mph in Triple-A for Durham in 2024.
Such a performance is rare; since Statcast tracking began in 2015, only eight players have achieved a four-hit game with all hits at 107 mph or greater exit velocity, the most recent being Shohei Ohtani's in 2024.
Rays manager Kevin Cash commented on Caminero's display Wednesday before an 11-8 exhibition loss to the Netherlands at Charlotte Sports Park. "Holy smokes, he’s impressive. We need to get him to the postseason," Cash said. "It could be pretty exciting to watch him, because he certainly brightens up the brighter the lights."
At 22 years old with 204 Major League games, Caminero has a knack for big stages. He went viral last offseason with a championship home run in the Dominican Winter League, then slugged 45 home runs in the majors, started the All-Star Game, and finished as Home Run Derby runner-up.
Caminero continued his form Wednesday against the Tigers, hitting a 101.1 mph triple and a 105.4 mph single in his first two at-bats. Cash added, "He belongs."
His play draws comparisons to Randy Arozarena's standout 2023 WBC performance for Mexico, suggesting Caminero could emerge as a key figure for the Dominican squad.