Tampa Bay Rays’ Junior Caminero Poised for Top 100 Player List

The Tampa Bay Rays may have been one of the least represented teams on ESPN’s Top 100 players list entering the 2025 season, but they have a rising star in third baseman Junior Caminero who could change that narrative.

Starting pitcher Shane McClanahan was the only Rays player to make the cut, coming in at No. 67 on the list. With the team constantly churning over their roster due to financial constraints, it’s not surprising that they lack representation on such a prestigious list.

However, all eyes are on Caminero, who made his MLB debut in 2023 and exceeded rookie limits in 2024. Heading into the 2025 season as the everyday starter at third base, the 21-year-old has the talent to make a meteoric rise up the rankings.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan predicts that Caminero could debut as a top-25 player in his first full season with the Rays. With impressive stats in the minor leagues and a strong eye for the strike zone, Caminero has the potential to be a key player for Tampa Bay’s aspirations to contend in the AL East.

As Caminero gains more experience at the Major League level, his skills are expected to translate, with improvements already seen in his plate discipline and exit velocity. It’s only a matter of time before Caminero’s production spikes, solidifying his status as one of the game’s rising stars.