How Albert Pujols helped Rays' Junior Caminero become one of MLB's top hitters originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Tampa Bay Rays have a six-game lead in the American League East standings, and third baseman Junior Caminero is a significant reason why. Caminero is just 23 years old and is already one of the top hitters in the Majors. He was named to his second consecutive All-Star Game after a stellar performance at the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic. The D.R.'s manager, Albert Pujols, has become a mentor for Tampa Bay's young slugger. Pujols is a major reason why Caminero was ranked as ESPN's seventh-best player in baseball in 2026. Pujols has helped Caminero become a more well-rounded hitter at the plate "Caminero's rise in becoming one of baseball's premier power hitters continues this year, through a test of plate discipline," ESPN's Buster Olney wrote. "Mentor Albert Pujols challenged him to keep his focus in the strike zone, and his walk rate has improved dramatically -- going from 6.3% in 2025 to almost double that, 12.5%, so far this season." Caminero is known for power, currently tied for an MLB-best 35 home runs. But his control of the strike zone and punchout rate have steadily decreased in the first four seasons of his career. MORE: Dodgers prospect Kendall George to undergo knee surgery months after viral bat dog incident "His strikeout rate has also steadily dropped over his four-year major league career: 22.2%, 21.5%, 19.1%, 18.5%," Olney added. "He's just 23 years old and is closing in on his 100th career homer for a Rays team that sits atop the American League. Caminero has greatness ahead." With Caminero as their offensive leader, the Rays are a force to be reckoned with in the AL. More MLB news:
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