Kevin Kiermaier sees Junior Caminero becoming the best player in Rays history

Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria played together in Tampa Bay for five seasons. Kiermaier, who also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and excelled defensively, is well-placed to judge the quality of Longoria's play, having seen him shine and act as the face of the Florida franchise.

Today, Kiermaier sees Junior Caminero as someone who will make history with the Rays and rewrite the record books for this team, which has never been known for producing many stars.

Longoria is rightly recognized as the player who best represented the Rays' foundations for 10 seasons before leaving for San Francisco Bay. The third baseman hung up his glove in 2023 while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is not considered an elite player, but he made his mark on the franchise in his first season by winning the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2008. Evan Longoria was an excellent defensive player, and it was in Tampa Bay that he enjoyed his most success on offense.

It must be said that the Rays made him their first-round pick (third overall) in 2006, and he did not disappoint the team's management.

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In his first full season with the Rays in 2025, Junior Caminero could eclipse Longoria and become the best player in franchise history. Kevin Kiermaier believes the 22-year-old Dominican has the potential to achieve this title.

After a brief stint in the majors in 43 games in 2024, the young Caminero's career literally exploded last season, when he hit 45 home runs and produced 110 runs. The young man is under contract with the Rays until 2031 and will be eligible for arbitration in 2028. Kevin Cash has a player with an unknown ceiling on his hands and must capitalize on the fact that the third baseman will soon be the envy of the rest of the league.

Last year, in the popular home run derby, Caminero was defeated in the grand finale by an elite and very hot player, Cal Raleigh. In 2025, Caminero opened many eyes and is the one the Rays must rely on for success.

It's rare to see the words “success” and “Rays” used in the same sentence, but Junior Caminero's presence increases the chances of this team causing surprises again one day. Kevin Cash and his crew are capable of surprising us when we least expect it.

Caminero's presence in the lineup adds a touch of spice, something Tampa Bay has been missing since Longoria's departure.

Kevin Kiermaier is right to be excited about Caminero's exploits last season. Rays fans finally have a spectacular player to cheer for, and he will quickly become a standout athlete.

This content was created with the help of AI.