When Is Junior Caminero Getting Called Up? Fantasy Baseball Prospect Outlook (Week 16 Update)

The Tampa Bay Rays are a middling team right now, with an overall record of around .500 (45-46), and they're 5-5 in their last 10 games. The All-Star break is coming, though, and they should be getting some reinforcements after the break.

They'll get starter Jeffrey Springs back in the starting rotation, and Drew Rasmussen should also return, although it sounds like he'll be used more as a reliever rather than counted on as a starter. And then there is Junior Caminero.

We've been waiting all season for the Rays' top prospect and third-ranked prospect in all of baseball to make his 2024 debut, and just when it seemed it wouldn't be much longer, Caminero hit the minor league IL with a quad injury. However, now he is ready to return, so the question now is, when will he get the call? What can he offer fantasy managers when he returns? Let's have a look.

Junior Caminero Prospect Update for Fantasy Baseball

Caminero was reinstated July 9 and will begin a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League. The 21-year-old probably won't spend much time there, so expect to see him back in Triple-A Durham soon. Whether or not he gets called up to the Rays shortly thereafter is another question. The Rays didn't call the youngster up earlier this season, and right now, they don't really have a need for him on the big league club with an offense that is fully healthy at the moment, so it would seem a call-up isn't imminent.

#Rays top prospect Junior Caminero is beginning a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League.

The No. 3 overall prospect last played May 28 for Triple-A Durham before sustaining a Grade 2 left quad strain. He's been limited to 34 games this season. https://t.co/2qhs67ZWNC

— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) July 9, 2024

However, it probably won't be long before one of the Lowe's (Brandon Lowe or Josh Lowe) will need to hit the IL again. Also, it may not be an injury; rather, it could be underperformance that will prompt Caminero's return, as no one in the trio of Taylor Walls, Jose Caballero, and Richie Palacios is hitting above .245. They also have a combined 10 HR in 607 PA between them, and Caminero's calling card is power, hitting 32 home runs across all levels in 2023 in 546 PA.

Junior Caminero Outlook for Fantasy Baseball

Despite what Caminero showed in his brief debut in 2023 (.235/.278/.353), his talent is elite, and the upside tremendous, so while he may not be an instant offensive upgrade over Walls/Caballero/Palacios, he will eventually be an offensive upgrade, outside of perhaps stolen bases. The Dominican played in his first rehab game already for the Rays' FCL affiliate, and wouldn't you know it, he's already homered, too.

Junior Caminero clubs a three-run homer in his first game since May 28!

MLB's No. 3 prospect is currently on rehab assignment with the #Rays' Florida Complex League affiliate as he works his way back from a quad strain: https://t.co/41H8rFXWT4 pic.twitter.com/LmiGsFYAk5

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 9, 2024

As the right-handed hitter is not on the IL, fantasy managers are unable to stash him in an IL spot, so using an available bench spot in shallow leagues when a call-up is not imminent is not a wise use of roster space, however, in deeper leagues he could be an impact player down the stretch which could make rostering him justifiable. The young slugger is available in nearly 75% of Yahoo leagues for managers interested in picking him up.

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