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Junior Caminero Aims Youngest Derby Title on Netflix

7/1/2026

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Summary

Caminero Aims Derby

Junior Caminero will compete in the 2026 Home Run Derby in Philadelphia July 13, 2026, streamed on Netflix.
The Derby uses a swing-based format of 20 swings first round and 15 thereafter.
Caminero, first Rays player to appear twice, could become the youngest champion at 23 years, 8 days, beating Juan González’s 1993 record.
He entered 2026 with 22 homers after hitting 45 homers in 2025 and finishing runner-up to Cal Raleigh.

Summary

Caminero Powers Rays

Junior Caminero’s power surge helped the Rays win five straight games in late June, reclaiming the AL East lead.
He hit six homers in four games, raising his total to 22, driving 49 RBIs and posting a .292/.384/.548 slash line.
Caminero became the first T-Mobile Home Run Derby participant and spent the off-season with family at the Jersey Shore.

History

Historical Context

The 1993 All-Star Game in Baltimore, held July 13, marked MLB’s last pre-strike midsummer showcase and drew massive TV audiences. The 1998 McGwire–Sosa home-run race, which produced a record-breaking 70 homers, revived fan interest after the 1994-95 strike and cemented the Derby as a ratings driver. In 2026, Junior Caminero’s Netflix-streamed Derby in Philadelphia continues that legacy, targeting a new streaming-focused sponsorship model.

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Caminero Aims Derby

Junior Caminero will compete in the 2026 Home Run Derby in Philadelphia July 13, 2026, streamed on Netflix.
The Derby uses a swing-based format of 20 swings first round and 15 thereafter.
Caminero, first Rays player to appear twice, could become the youngest champion at 23 years, 8 days, beating Juan González’s 1993 record.
He entered 2026 with 22 homers after hitting 45 homers in 2025 and finishing runner-up to Cal Raleigh.

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