EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Tampa Bay Rays vs. Milwaukee Brewers World Series matchup is short on big-money players, but that doesn't mean it is lacking must-watch stars.On one side, Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero is a dynamic 23-year-old slugger with some of the best power -- and swagger -- in the sport. On the other, Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio is an electric 22-year-old outfielder with some of the best all-around tools in the sport.As the two rising superstars make their first appearances under the bright lights of the Fall Classic stage, it's a perfect time to break down their similar paths from relatively unheralded international signees to top prospects and eventually impact major leaguers, along with what each player does best -- and who has the statistical edge in their young careers.By the numbersCaminero and Chourio have put up eye-popping numbers in their relatively short major league careers.Just two full seasons into his career with the Rays, Caminero has belted 94 home runs, and his .276/.360/.524 slash line this season should place him near the top of the American League MVP voting in November.Chourio, meanwhile, has already posted three 20-home run/20-stolen base seasons for the Brewers, including a career-best 25 homers and 23 steals this season. Chourio has truly set himself apart in the postseason, though, as his six home runs, 45 total bases and 19 RBIs are the most by anyone 22 or younger in MLB playoff history.Chourio's path to stardomChourio was an intriguing player from his first pro experience in the Dominican Summer League in 2021 as a 17-year-old, just after signing for $1.9 million that January out of Venezuela. He showed plus power potential, a real hit tool, and plus speed that all fit anywhere in the outfield.I had him ranked No. 8 in the Brewers' system as a 45 FV (in the 200-250 range overall after just 45 career games, all in the DSL) entering the 2022 season. He announced himself as an elite prospect that season, skipping Rookie ball and torching Low-A as an 18-year-old.Entering 2023, he was 11th on my top 100, and you don't need more of a scouting report than this, from that article:"Type: Tools bonanza in center fieldReminds me of: A sealed mystery bag of fireworks with a wick sticking out"He performed well in Double-A, but doing that as a 19-year-old with huge tools makes it even more impressive. After his last minor league season in 2023, he spent all of 2024 in the big leagues once he got an eight-year, $82 million extension months before the season started.After three full seasons in the big leagues, he has posted 11.5 WAR. That puts him behind only superstar-level performers at that point in their careers, such as Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, etc.What Chourio does bestBeing well-rounded while also being elite: a rare combination. He's a plus hitter who has grown enough at pitch selection (his chase rate might be the only truly below-average part of his game) to allow his 65-grade raw power and plus game power to add up to a career batting line (as measured by wRC+) of 22% better than league average. He's an above-average baserunner and plus defender in left field due to his plus speed, racking up 20-plus stolen bases in all three big league seasons and plus-9 defensive runs this season.Given his prospect rsum, path and early-career MLB performance in his early-20s, there could be another step coming, which would make Chourio one of the best players in the sport.Caminero's path to stardomCaminero signed out of the Dominican Republic with Cleveland for $87,500 in July 2019, the same signing class that included the Yankees giving Jasson Dominguez $5.1 million, which drew all of the attention. Caminero's pro debut was set for 2020, but it was pushed to 2021 due to the pandemic canceling the minor league season. Caminero debuted by playing 43 games in the DSL, turning 18 years old during that season and performing really well, hitting nine home runs and posting a .914 OPS.The Rays acquired him for reliever Tobias Myers in November after that season. Caminero was already showing huge bat speed and in-game power ability, but staying at third base wasn't a slam dunk in that pro debut in the DSL. His breakout season came in 2022, when he jumped from a prospect to monitor for his stateside debut to sneaking on my top 100 at No. 97 at the end of the season thanks to a loud season split between Rookie ball and Low-A as he turned 19 during the season.He went more mainstream in 2023, getting to Double-A and hitting 31 homers, leaping from 97th to No. 3 on the next version of my top 100. The year after I gushed about Chourio, I wrote this about Caminero:"Reminds me of: The power and aggression of Giancarlo Stanton in the batter's box, but while playing third baseType: An aggressively spiced gumbo of premium bat speed and raw power. It can verge on too much at times, but when it's right: chef's kiss."He spent much of 2024 in Triple-A, putting the final touches on his offensive approach, then debuted later that season, playing 43 games in the big leagues. Caminero was good then, but was even better in 2025 with his first full big league season (4.6 WAR, 45 homers), then did it again this season (5.3 WAR, 42 homers).What Caminero does bestIt's all built around his bat speed, and Caminero tops baseball at 79.5 mph. Accordingly, his average swing length (8.7 feet) is the longest in baseball, and his percentage of swings that are competitive (i.e., swinging at near full effort) is 11th in the sport.There's a feast-or-famine element to Caminero's game, ranking at or near the top of the league in anything tied to exit velo and power, which are the most valued traits in the game for many evaluators, and then average to below at chase and miss rate (largely because of swing length and overall offensive approach), baserunning, and third base defense.I think it's safe to say that Caminero is valued more highly of the two right now, but Chourio's skill set and frame will be more highly valued over the long term by most evaluators; whoever makes a little progress with their chase rate likely wins the medium term.
