Junior Caminero delivered a defining moment in the World Baseball Classic, smashing a 116.9 mph home run against Nicaragua to break a 3-3 tie. The 22-year-old Rays third baseman’s raw power and emotional resilience—crying after his first homer and grinning through adversity—have cemented his status as a generational talent. With 45 home runs in 2025 and triple-digit exit velocities on nearly every contact, he’s on track to eclipse legends like Eddie Mathews and Ronald Acuna Jr. in his age-21 season.

His bond with Manny Machado, who gifted him the iconic No. 13 jersey, symbolizes Caminero’s journey from Dominican Republic prodigy to MLB stardom.