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When is Junior Caminero getting called up? Will it be this season? Kev Mahserejian discusses Junior Caminero's potential call-up and fantasy baseball outlook for 2024.
Junior Caminero is one of baseball's top prospects for a reason. He hit 31 HR between High-A and Double-A last season while young for both levels at 19.
His strikeout and walk rates improved as he advanced to Double-A, leading to his September call-up to the MLB. While that stint did not carry over into 2024, Caminero is raking again and knocking on the door of staying up for good.
How long will Caminero remain in the minors? Will he even get called up this season? Let's dive in and find out.
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Junior Caminero Minor League Update
Caminero's 2024 season is somewhat tumultuous due to injury but he is picking up of late. Since his return from IL on July 9, Caminero is slashing .265/.327/.633 with five HR, a 9.1% walk rate, and a 14.5% strikeout rate. His 135 wRC+ in this span is promising. A return to the majors should occur this season given that the Rays traded 3B Isaac Paredes and have moved Caminero throughout the infield to improve his versatility.
Junior Caminero with the SNAG
Y'all are gonna have to hit it harder than 105.2 mph to get that past La Maxima pic.twitter.com/cJAKl31d6T
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) July 30, 2024
However, the Rays did not trade Yandy Diaz nor Brandon Lowe and signed J.D Davis recently. These moves, or lack thereof, suggest they are content waiting until September to call Caminero which would accrue another year of service time on his contract.
Junior Caminero Fantasy Baseball Outlook
While service time manipulation is likely to occur, Caminero is the perfect bench stash for teams in the pole position of their fantasy baseball leagues. His power is absurd and does not come at the cost of batting average. He can take advantage of Tampa's shorter left field with some easy pull power as a right-handed bat.
Bad week to be a baseball😳
This Junior Caminero single had an exit velo of 1⃣1⃣4⃣.4⃣ mph after he hit 116.4mph last night & 112.9mph the night before on doubles pic.twitter.com/TEK8e787c9
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) July 27, 2024
The biggest "flaw" in Caminero's profile is his proclivity to hit groundballs. His GB% in the Rays organization has only sunk below 48% once in a given level (2023 in High-A). Coincidentally, this was his best season in any affiliate as he reached 190 wRC+ through 36 games.
If Caminero is to tap into his ultimate upside, he has to hit the ball in the air more. Future teammate Yandy Diaz has a similar issue but the Rays were capable of unlocking him in recent seasons but nagging injuries caused him to revert into bad habits. Surely, once Caminero is up, they can unlock him in time.
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