HOUSTON — Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero launched his 26th home run of the season Saturday at Daikin Park, extending a historic streak of 11 homers in 11 games just hours after learning he had been named the American League’s starting third baseman for the 2026 All-Star Game.
Caminero, who turns 23 on Sunday, unloaded on a 3-2 slider from Astros ace Hunter Brown, sending it a Statcast-projected 437 feet at 107.5 mph near the train tracks in left field. The blast continued a tear dating to June 23 that has made him the first player to hit 11 or more home runs in an 11-game span since Kyle Schwarber did it in 2021.
“It’s kind of like must-see TV with his at-bats right now,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s coming up and handling a lot of pitches and is ready to go. Whether it’s a fastball or an offspeed pitch, he’s got an answer.”
Before Saturday’s game, Caminero had already hit 10 homers in 10 games, making him the second-youngest player in the Modern Era to accomplish that feat at 22 years, 363 days. Only the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, who did it in 2017 at 21 years, 342 days, was younger. The list of players who have matched the 11-in-11 mark includes Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Nelson Cruz, Troy Tulowitzki, Albert Belle, Doug DeCinces, Mike Schmidt, Frank Howard and Harmon Killebrew.
Catcher Nick Fortes said after Friday’s 3-1 win over the Astros that Caminero’s approach has been relentless. “He’s killing it right now,” Fortes said. “He’s grinding through it. Every pitch that he gets to hit, it seems like he’s not missing it. It’s pretty fun to watch.”
Cash had practically dared the streak to continue after Friday’s game. “Yeah, he could go 11 in 11 games,” Cash said — and Caminero delivered less than 24 hours later.
“It feels really good at home plate right now,” Caminero said. “Just continue like that.”
With 26 homers entering Sunday, Caminero is five shy of tying the Rays’ franchise record of 31 home runs before the All-Star break, set by Jose Canseco in 1999. “Pumped for Junior; he’s on an incredible run right now,” Cash said. The Rays have eight games remaining before the break for Caminero to chase the mark.