The Home Run Derby hits Philadelphia tonight, July 13, and if you aren't dialed into Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Junior Caminero, you're missing the real story. He's back for his second straight Derby, and after coming up short against our own Cal Raleigh last year, he's got something to prove. Forget hometown hero Kyle Schwarber; at Citizens Bank Park, Caminero is the absolute favorite.
The Bat Speed Boss
Forget league leaders in homers, because Eno Sarris from The Athletic nailed it: Caminero should be the clear favorite tonight. Why? "Junior Caminero owns the fastest bat in the league right now." This isn't hype. He launched a mind-blowing 463-foot home run off Merrill Kelly in late June, a blast traveling three feet further than any other Derby contestant's best this year. Caminero has put 10 balls over 425 feet already this season, more than anyone else in MLB. That's pure, undeniable power.Stats Don't Lie
Sure, Kyle Schwarber is the Phillies slugger and major league home run leader with 32 homers, playing in his home park. But Caminero? He's got 28 rockets this season before the All-Star break, and he's on fire. He's crushed 13 home runs in his last 72 at-bats across just 19 games. The quality backs it up, too. Baseball Savant shows Caminero boasts a top-5 EV50, his hardest 50% of batted balls, clocking an insane 105.8 mph. That's fifth-best in MLB, behind only Jac Caglianone among Derby participants. He's consistently tattooing the ball, a huge advantage in a Derby.Unmatched Speed
The biggest differentiator for Caminero has to be his average bat speed: an unbelievable 79.9 mph. That is by far the best in all of baseball, 0.7 mph better than Jordan Walker, who's in second place, and way ahead of most other hitters. Combine that elite, league-best bat speed with his current hot streak and those insane batted-ball metrics, and there's simply no denying it. So tonight at Citizens Bank Park, lock your eyes on Junior Caminero. This is a guy with unmatched tools, on an absolute tear, ready to put on a show. After coming so close to our own Cal last year, he's got that championship hunger. The stage is set for Caminero to be the Home Run Derby king. You don't want to miss this!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.