Caminero, Bradley make Rays' future bullish
If the Rays want to see a glimpse of their future, they only need to look 700 miles north to Durham, N.C. On Sunday afternoon, top prospect Junior Caminero (MLB No. 4) homered twice in a four-hit game as rehabbing Taj Bradley, their top prospect from 2023, tossed five hitless
If the Rays want to see a glimpse of their future, they only need to look 700 miles north to Durham, N.C.
On Sunday afternoon, top prospect Junior Caminero (MLB No. 4) homered twice in a four-hit game as rehabbing Taj Bradley, their top prospect from 2023, tossed five hitless innings in Triple-A Durham's 6-2 win at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Caminero continues to show off his power since returning from the IL two weeks ago with a left hamstring strain. Although these were his first homers since April 14 -- in his first multihomer game since Sept. 3, 2023 -- the 20-year-old has been crushing the ball lately. Since his return, 15 of his 26 batted balls qualify as hard-hit (95 mph or harder), including both roundtrippers Sunday.
The third baseman didn't wait long to make an impact Sunday. He jumped on the first pitch he saw, a fastball down the pipe, and launched it 396 feet to right-center at 106.2 mph.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Yoendrys Gómez made the same mistake in his second AB against Caminero, this time leaving a second-pitch slider middle-middle, which was ruthlessly punished. The second homer traveled 433 feet (his longest hit of the year) at 109.7 mph (second-hardest-hit).
For good measure, Caminero lined a single to left in the sixth inning (at a mere 92.4 mph) and doubled in the eighth (at 101.7 mph) on a ball that would have gone out for a third homer if it flew a few feet to the right to avoid the 32-foot left-field wall.
"This is what I've been accustomed to seeing," said Bulls manager Morgan Ensberg, who previously managed Caminero and Bradley at Double-A Montgomery. "When you look at the swing, when you look at the speed off the bat, it's just very easy to see that he stands out."
Camerino alone was enough offense to support Bradley, who made his first rehab appearance after suffering a right pectoral strain during Spring Training. The righty dominated with seven strikeouts across five frames, with the only batters reaching on a six-pitch walk and a throwing error. This was his third professional hitless outing, with the most recent coming on July 29, 2021, in A-ball.
Bradley, who graduated last June as MLB's No. 15 overall prospect, was extremely efficient -- needing just 65 pitches (42 of which were strikes) -- so much so that he needed to throw on the side to get up to his pitch limit. Not only that, his stuff was as effective as ever.
His average fastball velocity (96.6 mph) was up a half-tick from his 2023 average, and he topped out at 98.5, a mark he surpassed just 12 times last year. Bradley picked up whiffs on 12 of the 34 swings against him while getting opponents to chase on 33 percent of swings outside the zone. Those last two figures are up compared to his marks of 24.9 percent and 27.2 percent, respectively, in the Majors last year.
"I didn't know what I was going to see out of Taj, but I don't think it mattered who he faced today," Ensberg said. "It was 97, 98. The offspeed was sharp, late-breaking. He was pounding the zone. He was moving the ball around. He was throwing 97, quick to the plate, sub-1.1 seconds to home. That's when you know that his body is lined up and feeling good."
The Rays are expected to build up the 23-year-old's pitch count in further rehab outings before he can potentially return to the bigs in the first half of May. And with Caminero slashing .313/.377/.646, it may not be long before he joins his Durham teammate at The Trop.
Ben Weinrib is a contributor for MiLB.com.
Bears Bounce Back in 6-5 Win over Thunder
TRENTON, NJ – The West Virginia Black Bears defeated the Trenton Thunder by a score of 6-5 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark on Friday evening. West Virginia put up six runs on seven hits with the heart of the Black Bears’ order accounting for all five RBI. Starting pitcher Cobe Reeves
West Virginia Falls to Williamsport in the Series Finale at The Mon
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped the first home series to the Williamsport Crosscutters after losing game three, 12-7, at Monongalia County Ballpark on Thursday evening. Despite holding a four-run lead through four innings, West Virginia allowed ten runs in the final frames, including five in the
The Bears Drop Game Two in 13-1 Loss to Crosscutters
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – After the closely contested game on Opening Night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears lost to the Williamsport Crosscutters, 13-1, on Wednesday night at The Mon. The Bears’ bullpen allowed 13 runs on 16 hits – including two innings of four or more runs.
West Virginia Pulls Ahead of Williamsport for Second Straight Win
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In another comeback victory, the West Virginia Black Bears beat the Williamsport Crosscutters, 6-5, on Opening Day at Monongalia County Ballpark on Tuesday night. Exactly nine months to the day since their last meeting in the MLB Draft League Championship game, West Virginia overcame the deficit in
Low-Scoring Game Leads to Bears’ Game Three Loss
NILES, OH – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped game three to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field on Saturday evening by a score of 7-1. Held to two hits, the Black Bears were unable to jumpstart their offense, while costly miscues at the plate allowed the Scrappers to
The Bears Bounce Back for First Win of the Season
NILES, OH – The West Virginia Black Bears captured their first win of the season in a 16-4 blowout of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field. West Virginia put on a show in front of a packed crowd on Friday night, scoring two or more runs in five of
West Virginia Black Bears Announce First-Half Roster on MLB Draft League Opening Day
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears today announced the official roster for the first half of the MLB Draft League season. The initial roster features four members of the West Virginia University baseball team – Caleb McNeely, Dayne Leonard, Tevin Tucker and Kevin Dowdell – along with Morgantown
Mon County Ballpark hosts local high schools in Class AAA Regional finale
May 22, 2023 - The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce they will be hosting game three of the Class AAA Region 1 baseball series between cross-town rivals Morgantown High School and University High School. In coordination with Monongalia County Commission and West Virginia University, the Bears will
Black Bears Premium Suite dates are selling at record pace. Book your suite night before they're gone!
Live the “suite” life with West Virginia Black Bears premium press box seating. Suites for the 2023 season can still be booked through the Black Bears ticket office, but AVAILABILITY IS LIMITED! Book a memorable experience for your team in today! 2023 Suite Prices - Suite 3: $1,375 (50-person capacity)
West Virginia Black Bears Announce 2023 Promotional Schedule
March 14, 2023 - With Opening Day at Monongalia County Ballpark less than three months away, the West Virginia Black Bears today released their preliminary 2023 Promotional Schedule. Packed with fireworks dates, multiple giveaways and new theme nights, this summer promises to be full of fun for the entire family!
Four Black Bears Named to National Rosters for World Baseball Classic
February 10, 2023 – With the World Baseball Classic returning for the first time since 2017, four former West Virginia Black Bears will represent their countries in the international competition beginning Wednesday, March 8. From 2021’s inaugural MLB Draft League team, Mitchell Bratt will represent Canada, while 2022 players Branden
David Carpenter named West Virginia Black Bears Manager
February 7, 2023 – The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce David Carpenter has been appointed manager of the Black Bears for the 2023 MLB Draft League season. The West Virginia University alum and former Major League pitcher joins the organization as the sixth manager in Black Bears
Black Bears Announce Food Drive to Benefit Pantry Plus More
January 24, 2023 – The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce they’re stepping up to the plate to combat hunger in the Greater Morgantown community with “The Bear Necessities for a Good Cause” food drive benefiting Pantry Plus More. The food drive begins Wednesday, February 1 and ends
West Virginia Black Bears begin defense of MLB Draft League Championship on June 1, 2023
October 18, 2022 – Just five weeks removed from capturing the 2022 MLB Draft League Title, the West Virginia Black Bears are thrilled to announce another season of summer baseball at Monongalia County Ballpark with the release of the 2023 season schedule. The 80-game season, which begins on the road
2022 MLB Draft League Champions: The West Virginia Black Bears Defeat the Williamsport Crosscutters 10-6 in Championship Game at Monongalia County Ballpark
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In the most exciting game of the season, the West Virginia Black Bears captured the MLB Draft League Championship with a 10-6 victory over the Williamsport Crosscutters on Tuesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. With two big innings, the Black Bears completed the comeback after trailing by
West Virginia Wins Its Final Regular Season Home Series with 6-3 Victory over Frederick
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In the last regular season game at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears took the game and the series from the Frederick Keys in a 6-3 win on Thursday night. The Bears, who scored in four consecutive innings, solidified their win over the Keys with
The Bears Bounce Back with 5-1 Game Two Win over the Keys
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – After dropping the first game of the series in sudden death to the Frederick Keys, West Virginia bounced back with a 5-1 win on Wednesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. The Black Bears bullpen held the Keys to two hits and no runs through five innings of
West Virginia Unable to Hold On in Sudden Death Thriller Against Frederick
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears lost the first game of the series to the Frederick Keys in sudden death on Tuesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. After holding a four-run lead heading into the seventh, Frederick tied the game with four scored in the top of the
Bears Get Blanked in 14-0 Loss to the Scrappers
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped the last game of the series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in a 14-0 loss on a hot Sunday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark. After West Virginia put up 16 runs the previous night, Mahoning Valley returned the favor with 14
Black Bears Batter the Scrappers in 16-9 Game Two Victory
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears took down the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in a huge 16-9 win at Monongalia County Ballpark on Saturday evening for Military Appreciation Night. On another big offensive night, the Black Bears drove in 16 runs on 12 hits including a home run by
West Virginia Scraps Mahoning Valley in 5-1 Win
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – On Fan Appreciation Night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears provided their fans with a show as they took down the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5-1 on Friday evening. After a rain delay cleared the teams off the field, the Bears returned to drive in
West Virginia Drops the Series Finale in 11-8 Loss to Frederick
FREDERICK, MD – The West Virginia Black Bears lost the series finale against the Frederick Keys at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium on Thursday evening. After winning the first two games with powerful offensive performances, the Bears could not overcome an early deficit and ended the game down 11-8.
Seven Shutout Innings and Four Home Runs Lead Black Bears in 7-3 Win over Keys
FREDERICK, MD – In the second game of the series at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, the West Virginia Black Bears put on a clinic against the Frederick Keys, winning by a score of 7-3 on Wednesday evening. The Bears offense led with four home runs over the course
Black Bears Bounce Back with 9-3 Victory Over Keys
FREDERICK, MD - After finishing their last home series with a loss, the West Virginia Black Bears bounced back on the road at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, beating the Frederick Keys 9-3 on Tuesday evening. The Bears bats started off hot in the first as CF Turner Hill
West Virginia drops series to Mahoning Valley with 8-2 Loss
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – On a Sunday afternoon showdown at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears dropped the game and the series to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers with the 8-2 loss. After starting pitcher Luke Eldred and the West Virginia defense retired the side to begin the game, the