Caminero launches Derby's longest HR before falling to eventual champ

PHILADELPHIA -- As Junior Caminero held the top of his bat and walked to the home plate-shaped boxing ring at second base during the introductions for Monday's 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park, he couldn't help but grin. He smiled throughout the entire 90-foot walk from first base.

“Enjoy it. Breathe. Concentrate,” Caminero said in Spanish when asked what he hopes to do when he goes up to bat. “And give the best of me to get that trophy.”

He certainly gave his best to left field, launching all 12 of his first-round home runs to his pull side. His longest of that round traveled a Statcast-projected 487 feet, while his two hardest-hit homers left the bat at 116 mph, tied for the hardest homers of the night with Jac Caglianone.

With the Derby's new format giving each participant 20 swings, Caminero had time to admire nearly every blast. Only two of his 12 home runs didn't clear the 400-foot mark. Rays Major League field coordinator Tomas Francisco, who pitched to Caminero for the second year in a row, made sure to leave cookies in the upper-middle part of the strike zone.

The one he paid the most attention to came off his final swing in the first round. The ball eventually left the yard, but it was ruled foul.

Juan Soto met the 23-year-old at home plate, where Caminero asked him if it could be reviewed. Had it been ruled a home run, Caminero would have tied Willson Contreras -- whose longest homer traveled 490 feet -- and Jordan Walker, who each had 13 first-round home runs.

Caminero advanced to the semifinals, where he was only able to hit five home runs against Walker, the eventual champion. One of those traveled a Derby-best 491 feet, but Walker's six home runs were enough to send him to the finals.

Still, this year's experience felt much different than his first.

Last season, Caminero wasn't even sure whether he should participate. This year, his first-half performance and overwhelming fan support made the decision an easy one.

Francisco noticed the difference in Caminero's mindset, along with the new format.

“This one is a little different,” Francisco said last week. “Last year, everything felt rushed because of the short amount of time, the amount of swings that you've got to take, where this year you can take time in between, [and it’s] just swings.”

Last season, Caminero finished as the runner-up in the Derby, falling to Seattle's Cal Raleigh. After that event, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shared some advice that stuck with him: The first Home Run Derby is for learning, the second is for winning.

“It feels spectacular to be here, I have been working a lot for this moment,” Caminero said prior to the Derby.

Guerrero followed that path, defeating Randy Arozarena in 2023 after finishing as the runner-up in 2019. Soto also rebounded, winning the 2022 Derby after falling in the semifinals in 2021.

Caminero entered the All-Star break with 28 home runs and an average swing speed of 79.9 mph, the fastest in the league. He came up short of his first Home Run Derby title, but another impressive showing made it clear that it may only be a matter of time for the 23-year-old.

“When my career started, I imagined [being at the All-Star Game], because I knew where I wanted to go,” Caminero said. “The season that I am having is a blessing.

“[What I have done differently] is the discipline -- how I’ve behaved outside of the field. The concentration that I have put into it, it’s a lot. I know exactly where I want to go and all of that comes with a lot of discipline.”

Caminero walked out of the American League clubhouse with a smile, proud as always to represent the Dominican Republic. He said everything he does is so the people back home can watch him, and he doesn't expect the home runs to stop coming any time soon.

“The rhythm of the homers depends on how I am mentally,” Caminero said. “And the second half of the season, I’ll leave to God.”