Rays Slugger Junior Caminero Will Compete in Residence Run Derby

Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero introduced Wednesday he’ll participate within the Residence Run Derby on Monday in Atlanta, then discovered hours later he’ll begin at third base for the AL squad within the All-Star Sport the next evening.

In between, Caminero belted his twenty second homer of the season within the seventh inning of a 7-3 win in Detroit.

Caminero, who turned 22 on July 5, leads all American League third basemen in homers throughout a breakout season. He’s hitting .254 with 58 RBIs for the Rays, who moved inside 4 video games of first-place Toronto within the AL East on Wednesday evening.

“I’m going to placed on a present. I’m going to attempt to placed on a present simply to present the followers the chance to get to know me, see my energy,” Caminero mentioned. “Simply being there with all these different All-Stars, it’s going to be one thing very particular.”

Caminero is the sixth participant to decide to the Residence Run Derby, becoming a member of the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, James Wooden of the Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Twins, the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz and Ronald Acuna Jr. of the host Braves. Two extra contestants are nonetheless to be introduced, and Buxton’s standing is unclear after he was hit within the left hand by a pitch throughout Wednesday evening’s win over the Cubs.

New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., additionally headed to the All-Star Sport, mentioned Wednesday evening he’d be concerned with collaborating if requested. Chisholm hit two homers in a 9-6 victory over Seattle to present him 17 this season.

Caminero was picked earlier this week because the All-Star substitute for Boston third baseman Alex Bregman, who has been coping with a strained proper quadriceps. Caminero discovered he’ll begin on the sizzling nook after Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez opted out of the Midsummer Basic so he may relaxation an ailing Achilles tendon.

Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes was chosen to switch Ramírez on the AL roster.

The one Rays gamers moreover Caminero to take part within the Residence Run Derby have been Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Randy Arozarena, who reached the finals two years in the past earlier than dropping to Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“We get to see (Caminero) do in all probability a modified Residence Run Derby each time he takes batting apply. I’m excited for him. I’m excited for his household,” Rays supervisor Kevin Money mentioned. “Considerably of a coming-out celebration for him. Hopefully, he will get the popularity that we’ve all seen within the expertise and the power to hit the ball a great distance.”

Reporting by The Related Press.

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