It’s been a big stretch for the Tampa Bay Rays, and the latest power rankings reflect it. After running off nine straight wins, Tampa Bay climbed into the top five this week, a jump that comes even after the club dropped a series over the weekend to the Houston Astros.
Bleacher Report moved the Rays up again on Monday, pushing them to No. 5 after they had already risen from No. 7 to No. 6 the week before. Joel Reuter pointed directly to Junior Caminero’s explosion as the driving force behind the climb.
"The Junior Caminero Show continued in earnest this week, as four more home runs brought his total to 11 in the span of 11 games. He was also the first player to officially join the home run derby field, making that announcement amid Tampa Bay's nine-game winning streak. Despite losing to the Astros on both Saturday and Sunday, the Rays have opened up a four-game lead in the AL East."
Caminero’s run has been impossible to ignore. If he keeps producing anywhere near this pace, the second half could turn into one long showcase for one of baseball’s most dangerous young hitters. A finish near 45 homers for the second year in a row would put him squarely in the American League MVP conversation.
MLB.com’s Will Leitch also gave Tampa Bay a major bump, slotting the Rays as the third-best team in baseball. He highlighted just how rare Caminero’s recent tear has been.
"Junior Caminero, who turned 23 on Sunday, came into the day having hit 11 homers in 11 games, the youngest player ever to do that and only the 12th player ever. Seriously, he may be making himself into a very legitimate MVP candidate. And he is absolutely the face of one of the most exciting teams in the entire sport."
That kind of production doesn’t just change weekly rankings. It changes the way the Rays are viewed, both outside the building and inside it. The message to the front office, and especially Eric Neander, is clear: this group has a real foundation, and the right additions could make it even more dangerous.
Caminero is also closing in on another bit of Rays history. Once he takes the field for the All-Star Game, he’ll become the first player in franchise history to start two All-Star games in his career. And if he puts on a show there, along with his Home Run Derby appearance, the buzz around Tampa Bay figures to get even louder.
In Other News...
Rays Linked To Proven Bullpen Upgrade As AL East Race Tightens
With the AL East tightening, the Rays are at the point in the season where even a division lead can feel fragile if the bullpen starts to wobble. Tampa Bay has already gotten solid work at the back end from Bryan Baker, but the club is always looking for ways to sharpen the late innings, especially with the trade deadline approaching and the rest of the division pushing hard.
Aroldis Chapman has emerged as one of the more intriguing names in that market, and his numbers with Boston help explain why. The left-hander has a 2.36 ERA with 18 saves in 28 appearances, production that would give the Rays another proven option in high-leverage spots if they decide to make a move. For a team trying to stay ahead in a crowded race, that kind of upgrade is hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Suddenly Have A Troubling New Bullpen Concern
The Rays bullpen has already been operating with little margin for error, and Edwin Ucetas latest injury update only adds to the pressure. Manager Kevin Cash said the right-hander is dealing with a setback in his shoulder rehab, a frustrating turn for a staff that has been trying to piece together innings while Ryan Pepiot, Manuel Rodriguez and Steven Wilson remain out with long-term injuries.
Uceta had been part of the group Tampa Bay hoped could help stabilize the relief mix, so any delay matters beyond just one arm. With the bullpen still stretched thin, the organization now has to wait on a clearer medical picture before it can know whether Uceta can realistically factor into the picture next season. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Fans Have Been Waiting For Ben Rice To Reach This Stage
The Home Run Derby is headed back to Citizens Bank Park on July 13, and the early field already has a familiar Rays connection in Junior Caminero, who is in as one of the eight confirmed participants. The event will also return to a swings-based format, giving hitters more chances to settle in and do damage, which should suit the kind of power display that has made Caminero such a draw in the first place.
One of the more interesting additions is Ben Rice, who is set to take part for the first time as the Yankees keep watching his profile rise in a very different kind of spotlight. Philadelphia could still get a pair of hometown-relevant names in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper if everything lines up, while Pete Crow-Armstrong has already bowed out, leaving the rest of the field to take shape around a few unresolved decisions. [Read more 🡒]