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Junior Caminero makes Rays history with 30 home runs in back-to-back seasons

Rays' Junior Caminero during an at-bat (2026)
Rays' Junior Caminero during an at-bat (2026) Luis Santana / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero became the first player since Carlos Pena (2007-2009) to record back-to-back seasons with 30 home runs during Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

Caminero, 23, launched one off the catwalk during the bottom of the fourth inning off starting pitcher Erick Fedde.

The two-time All-Star went into Friday's match with 65 RBI and a .280/.369/.541 slash line (.911 OPS). He now needs 16 more home runs to set a new single-season high and 45 more RBI. 

Tampa (64-44) are in the midst of an American League East pennant race with the New York Yankees (62-48) and currently possess the third-best record in all of baseball.