Junior grew up attending games at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal, home of multiple Dominican Winter League teams…his family lives less than 10 minutes from the ballpark, and he has played two seasons for Leones del Escogido, one of two clubs that calls the ballpark home...During his childhood years, his father was a truck driver and his mother worked in physical therapy…despite their busy schedules, his parents ensured he was able to pursue his love for baseball after taking up the sport at age five...Junior was an avid baseball fan throughout his childhood…at age nine, his parents welcomed another boy, Girardi, to the family…the name, which came at Junior’s suggestion, was a nod to then-Yankees manager Joe Girardi...His favorite player growing up was Alex Rodriguez, but he eventually grew fond of another No. 13 at the hot corner: Manny Machado…he took a selfie with Machado during batting practice at Oriole Park in 2014 while traveling to an international tournament with his youth league team…Junior wears No. 13 in honor of Machado…when jerseys were handed out for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Machado walked the No. 13 Dominican Republic jersey over to him and let Junior know that he would be wearing it during the tournament...Junior’s nickname is La Máxima, which translates to “the maximum” or “the greatest"....He and his wife, Francesca, celebrated the birth of their first child in November…the couple learned of Valentina’s gender last August, and Junior dedicated his next game to their future daughter, hitting a fifth-inning grand slam to lead the Rays to a 7-2 win over the Cardinals…this season, he plans to use a pink glove in honor of his daughter...Junior served as a player correspondent for MLB Español for Games 3 and 4 of the 2025 World Series, providing behind-the-scenes content and social media interviews...Junior embraced the Tampa Bay community this past offseason, making appearances at Buccaneers and Lightning games, receiving custom “Caminero” jerseys from both teams…he was also in attendance at the Lightning’s Stadium Series game in January at a sold-out Raymond James Stadium alongside teammates Ryan Pepiot and Ian Seymour.
2025
Established himself as a premier power hitter in his first full major league campaign, ranking third in the AL with 45 HR, one shy of Carlos Peña’s franchise record (46) set in 2007…became the youngest All-Star in franchise history and was named to the All-MLB Second Team following the season…joined Brandon Lowe (2020) as the only Rays position players to receive All-MLB selections since the honor was first introduced in 2019...Voted the Don Zimmer Most Valuable Player by the Tampa Bay chapter of the BBWAA, surpassing Carl Crawford (age 23) in 2004 as the award’s youngest recipient...Named an AL Silver Slugger Award finalist at third base...Became the fourth major league player to lead his club in games, home runs, RBI and runs scored outright as the youngest player to appear for his team that season since RBI became an official statistic in 1920, joining KC Bobby Witt Jr. (2023-24), STL Albert Pujols (2001-02) and PHI Scott Rolen (1997-98)...Ranked among AL leaders in home runs (third, 45), total bases (third, 322), extra-base hits (T-fourth, 73), RBI (fifth, 110), slugging pct. (sixth, 535), OPS (10th, .846) and runs scored (10th, 93)...Hit 45 HR, the second-highest total in an age--21-or-younger season in major league history (age as of June 30), trailing the Milwaukee Braves Eddie Mathews (47) in 1953…finished third among all AL hitters in 2025 to SEA Cal Raleigh (60) and NYY Aaron Judge (53), making him the sixth player to rank among the AL’s top three home run leaders in an age-21-or-younger season along with BOS Tony Conigliaro in 1965, BOS Ted Williams in 1939, CLE Hal Trosky in 1934, BOS Tris Speaker in 1909 and DET Ty Cobb in 1907...Became the fifth player in MLB history to complete a 45-homer season before turning 23, joining TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (48) in 2021, CIN Johnny Bench (45) in 1970, Eddie Mathews (47) in 1953 and NYY Joe DiMaggio (46) in 1937...Became the second AL third baseman (3x) with 25 2B, 45 HR and 110 RBI in a season, joining NYY Alex Rodriguez in 2007 and 2005…also became the first Dominican-born Major Leaguer to reach those marks at any position since TOR José Bautista in 2010 (54HR, 124RBI)...Recorded a franchise-record-tying four multi-homer games, matching Brandon Lowe in 2021, Carlos Peña in 2009 and 2007, and Jorge Cantú in 2005...His 110 RBI were the most by a Ray since Evan Longoria (113) in 2009 and ranked fourth in club history, also trailing Carlos Peña’s 2007 season (121) and Jorge Cantú (117) in 2005…was the fifth MLB player since 2000 to tally 110 RBI in an age 21-or-younger campaign, joining WSH Juan Soto (110) in 2019, WSH Ryan Zimmerman (110) in 2006, FLA Miguel Cabrera (112) in 2004 and STL Albert Pujols (130) in 2001…recorded six games with four RBIs or more, tied for fourth most in Rays history, and tallied a club-record 14 games with three RBIa or more...Collected 73 extra-base hits, tied for fourth most in the AL and the most by a Ray since Evan Longoria had 81 in 2016…also tied Longoria in 2010 for the sixth-highest total in franchise history...Recorded six HR or more in each month of the
season (March/April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept.), becoming the first Ray to accomplish the feat and the youngest player in MLB history to do so...Was the youngest Ray to qualify for the AL batting title since Delmon Young appeared in all 162 games during his age-21 season in 2007…his 154 games marked the most by any Ray since Evan Longoria (156) in 2017...Hit 22 HR and slugged .595 in 77 games at Steinbrenner Field, the second-best home slugging pct. in the AL to NYY Aaron Judge (.695)…his 92 hits at home tied teammate Yandy Díaz for the AL lead…also ranked among the AL’s home leaders in OPS (fifth, .953) and batting average (seventh, .313)…produced a .358 on-base pct. at home compared to .266 on the road...Paced the AL with an average bat speed of 78.6 mph, second fastest in the majors to PIT Oneil Cruz (78.8 mph)...Recorded 68 barrels, fifth in the AL and the most by a Ray under Statcast (since 2015), surpassing Evan Longoria in 2016 (59)...Was responsible for each of the top five and 10 of the top 13 exit velocities recorded by Rays hitters on the season…topped out on a 116.7-mph double on Sept. 9 at CWS (Yoendrys Gómez)...Ranked fifth in the AL with a 51.4 pct. hard-hit rate…recorded 249 hard-hit balls (95 mph EV or higher), third in the AL, trailing teammate Yandy Díaz (260) and TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (253)…marked the second-highest total by a Ray under Statcast (since 2015) behind Díaz...Hit into an MLB-leading and franchise-record 31 GIDP, tied for eighth most in Major League history and the most since MIA Casey McGehee (31) in 2014…recorded 26 GIDP in his first 96 games and five over his final 58 games...Made his first career Opening Day roster.
2024
Hit .248/.299/.424 (41-for-165) with nine 2B, one 3B, six HR and 18 RBI in 43 games following his Aug. 13 promotion from Triple-A Durham...had two stints on the Minor League seven-day IL, both with left quad strains (April 2-14 & May 29–July 19)...Voted the club’s Outstanding Rookie by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the BBWAA...From the time of his Aug. 13 promotion through the end of the season, his 16 extra-base hits (9 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR) ranked third among AL rookies behind TEX Wyatt Langford (18) and DET Parker Meadows (17)...Despite appearing in only 43 games, recorded nine batted balls with an exit velocity of at least 110 mph, second most among Rays behind Yandy Díaz (22 in 145G)...from Aug. 13 on, he ranked seventh in the AL in the category, trailing NYY Giancarlo Stanton (16), NYY Aaron Judge (15), TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (14), HOU Yordan Alvarez, NYY Juan Soto and KC Bobby Witt Jr. (10 each)...His 77.2 mph bat speed ranked fifth in the AL (min. 150PA) behind NYY Giancarlo Stanton (81.2), CLE Jhonkensy Noel (77.9), MIN Matt Wallner (77.3) and NYY Aaron Judge (77.2)...Hit .361 (13-for-36) with four of his six HR vs. four-seam fastballs...In his Aug. 13 season debut, hit a 116.3 mph single off HOU Yusei Kikuchi, the highest exit velocity by any MLB rookie in 2024...From Aug. 14-19, drew a walk in a career-best five straight games, tied with Ben Rortvedt (May 5-12) for the second-longest run by a Ray in 2024 (Isaac Paredes, 6G: July 23-28)...From Aug. 23-24 at LAD, homered in back-to-back games for the first time, going a combined 5-for-9 with one 2B, two HR, three RBI and five R...on Aug. 24, clubbed a game-tying home run in the ninth inning off Evan Phillips, the 19th game-tying/go-ahead homer in the 9th or later by a Rays rookie and first since Randy Arozarena on Sept. 28, 2021 at HOU off Phil Maton...totaled four XBH in the three-game set (2 2B, 2HR), most by a Rays rookie in a single series since Arozarena (4: 2B, 3B, 2HR) from Aug. 2-4, 2021 vs. SEA...Before his September graduation from prospect status, was named the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com on Aug. 29...On Sept. 14 at CLE, collected a career-high three XBH, all of which were doubles...at 21 years, 71 days, became the youngest player in the Majors with a three-double game since BAL Manny Machado (20.321) on May 23, 2013 at TOR...became the 12th rookie (15x) in franchise history with three XBH in a game (last: Randy Arozarena on May 19, 2021 at BAL)...On Sept. 17 vs. BOS, homered on a Nick Pivetta fastball 4.05 ft. above the ground, the second-highest pitch resulting in a Rays home run in the Statcast era (since 2015) behind Corey Dickerson (4.23 ft.) on Sept. 11, 2016 at NYY...On Sept. 28 at BOS, homered over the Green Monster as part of a three-hit effort...became the first Rays rookie with a three-hit, 3-RBI game since Randy Arozarena on June 9, 2021 vs. WSH...In 59 games between Durham and the FCL Rays, hit .274/.337/.521 (64-for-234) with 10 2B, 16 HR and 39 RBI...Played for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League for the second consecutive season, helping the club to its first league title since 2016...earned championship series MVP honors after connecting on a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning of Game 7...led the tournament in average (.417), slugging pct. (.738), OPS (1.223), hits (35), home runs (tied, 4), extra-base hits (16) and total bases (62)...Is the eighth Ray with 15 extra-base hits or more and 25 RBI or more through his first 50 career games, joining a group highlighted by Brandon Lowe, Evan Longoria and Rocco Baldelli.
2023
Appeared in seven games after being selected from Double-A Montgomery on Sept. 22, each of...Named the Rays 2023 Minor League Player of the Year by the club’s baseball operations department…hit .327/.426/.617 (106-for-324) with 26 2B, 22 HR, 81 RBI and 59 BB in 93 games between Bowling Green and Montgomery, including 10 2B, five HR and 26 RBI in 30 games after his Aug. 9 promotion to Double-A...Was 20 years, 80 days old at the time of his debut, becoming the second-youngest player to debut for the Rays, trailing only B.J. Upton (19.347)…the only player younger than him (born 7/5/03) to appear in a major league game in 2023 was MIA Eury Pérez (4/15/03)...Six of his eight hits with the Rays registered exit velocities of at least 103.0 mph...Became the sixth Montgomery Biscuit, including the first position player, to be promoted directly to the Rays, joining José Alvarado (2017), Hunter Wood (2017), Chad Orvella (2005), John Webb (2004) and Scott Kazmir (2004)...Led Rays Minor Leaguers in batting average, on-base pct., slugging pct. and OPS (1.043), tied for third in homers, ranked fourth in RBI, fifth in extra-base hits (49) and sixth in walks...Named Double-A Player of the Year and a First Team Minor League All-Star by Baseball America…the publication also tabbed him as the best Power Hitter in the Rays organization for the second straight season in addition to the Best Defensive Third Baseman in High-A...Earned Southern League MVP honors, becoming the sixth Montgomery Biscuit to win the award…also recognized as the league’s Top MLB Prospect…was named Southern League Player of the Month for August after hitting .366 (34-for-93) with a league-leading 10 HR and 25 RBI across 24 games...Won the Breakout Player of the Year award at the inaugural MiLB Awards Show…finished as runner-up for Hitting Prospect of the Year to BAL Jackson Holliday...Recorded a 38-game on-base streak with Montgomery from July 19–Sept. 5, marking the longest run by a Biscuit since Hak-Ju Lee (46G: June 13–Aug. 3, 2012)...On Aug. 12 vs. Birmingham, recorded a career-high 3 HR and 6 RBI for Montgomery...On Sept. 23 vs. TOR, made his Major League debut and notched his first career hit with a 112.0-mph ingle off Hyun Jin Ryu…it marked the hardest-hit ball by a player age 20 or younger over the last four seasons (2020-23)…also marked the highest exit velocity recorded by any Rays hitter age 20 or younger in the Statcast era (since 2015)...On Sept. 26 at BOS, tallied his first career XBH with an RBI-double off the Green Monster in the opening frame...On Oct. 1 at TOR, hit his first career homer, a 107.0-mph, opposite-field shot off Tim Mayza…it marked the Rays 230th and final home run of the season, marking a new club record (prev. 228HR, 2017)...Went 5-for-15 (.333) with 1 HR and 5 RBI over his final three games...POSTSEASON: Went hitless in a pair of at-bats as a pinch hitter in the Rays AL Wild Card Series vs. the Rangers...Slashed .333/.362/.575 (29-for-87) across 21 games for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League…his five HR were tied for third most in the league...Rated the No. 5 prospect in baseball in Baseball America’s in-season update.
2022
Named Most Valuable Player for the FCL Rays by the Rays Baseball Operations department…also earned an FCL postseason All-Star nod…hit .314/.384/.489 (75-for-239) with 7 2B, 11 HR and 51 RBI in 62 games between the FCL Rays and Class-A Charleston...Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 8 prospect in the Rays organization following the season…the publication also tabbed him as the best Power Hitter among Rays farmhands...Hit .303 (47-for-155) with 14 HR in 39 games for the Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League.
2021
Ranked among Dominican Summer League hitters in homers (T2nd, 9) and slugging pct. (5th, .534) in his first professional season...Acquired by the Rays from the Guardians on November 19, 2021 in exchange for RHP Tobias Myers.
