Junior Caminero predicted to do something no Rays player has ever done before

Coming into the 2026 MLB season, the Tampa Bay Rays might not have much hope to win the stacked AL East. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays are incredible, and even the Baltimore Orioles are a revamped team looking to contend.

While a postseason spot might be a challenge, that doesn't mean the Rays will simply put on the 2026 MLB season. They have some great players ready to go, and none will be as exciting to tune in for as Junior Caminero.

The superstar infielder who lit up the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, Caminero, is coming into 2026 with a hot bat. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince is predicting Caminero will stay hot and do something no Rays player has ever done before: finish top-three in MVP voting.

Junior Caminero predicted to make Rays history with MVP finish

"Junior Caminero will be an AL MVP finalist," Castrovince predicted. "OK, maybe not that bold. The Rays' young third baseman hit 45 homers last year and finished ninth in the MVP race. Not too shabby. Especially for a 22-year-old. But then again, the Rays have NEVER had a player finish top three in MVP. So there's that."

In their 28-year history, the Rays have not once had a player finish top-three in MVP voting. Evan Longoria, and many other great players who've had big seasons for the Rays over the last nearly three decades, haven't ever finished top-three in MVP voting.

Caminero, the 22-year-old infielder who will turn 23 on July 5, could be in store for a massive 2026 season. He put up 4.4 bWAR in 154 games last year, finishing ninth in MVP voting.

But, for the 2026 MLB season, Castrovince is predicting Caminero will be even better and finish inside the top-three of MVP voting.

More: Konnor Griffin projected to make Pirates Opening Day roster by two analysts

With the Rays more likely than not missing the postseason thanks to an incredibly tough division, Caminero finishing in the top three in MVP voting would mean that he has an incredible season for the Rays.

He had 159 hits, 93 runs scored, 28 doubles, 45 home runs, 110 RBIs, seven stolen bases, 41 walks, and 125 strikeouts with a .264 batting average and an .846 OPS last season.

If Caminero wants to win MVP, or finish inside the top-three and be an AL MVP finalist, the first in Rays history, he's going to need to have an even more incredible season.

Caminero might need to hit more home runs, reaching 50 on the year, and finish with an OPS in the .900's to be voted inside the top-three of the American League MVP race.

He has the talent to have such a year, and if he can put it all together, Caminero could be in store for an incredible 2026 season, as Castrovince predicts will be the case.

More MLB news:

• Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor league contract
• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
• Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
• Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies