Tampa Bay Rays’ 2026 All-Stars A Combination Of Pitching And Power
The Tampa Bay Rays will send four players to the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on July 14, including closer and first-time selection Bryan Baker, who will gladly scrap his typical mid-season routine. Pitcher Drew Rasmussen and third baseman Junior Caminero, who was voted in by the fans, earned their second consecutive All-Star nod while DH Yandy Diaz will make his first appearance since 2023.
It will be different, for sure, though Bryan Baker will not mind the change. While he will not have his typical three or four days at the beach, he can still salvage a day of sun and surf.
“It’s a good sacrifice, I would say, to my normal tradition,” he quipped, in the Rays’ clubhouse Monday afternoon prior to a four-game series versus the American League East rival Yankees.
His “normal tradition” this time of year previously did not include an itinerary packed with all-star related activities. Alas, the 31-year-old Baker has been a formidable closer whose effort was recognized by his inclusion in the mid-summer classic, which is July 14 in Philadelphia.
“It’s a huge shock,” said the righthander, whose 23 saves are second in the majors. “It is not something you expect to happen. It is a pretty cool experience (to be named an all-star).”
Baker, who was acquired from the Orioles last July 10 for a draft pick, entered this season with four saves in 203 career relief appearances across five seasons with the Rays, O’s and Blue Jays, for whom he made his MLB debut in 2021. With the Rays opting to not exercise their option on closer Pete Fairbanks and long-term injuries to multiple relievers, including potential closer, Edwin Uceta, the Rays left spring training with a committee approach. Baker ultimately emerged as the go-to guy.
“They seem to get us in the right spot and allow us to be the best version of ourselves,” he said, in crediting the coaching staff, notably pitching guru Kyle Snydey, and support personnel. “It is pretty awesome to be a part of things here.”
Three other Rays will share the experience with Baker in the City of Brotherly Love, each having been an all-star once previously. Junior Caminero and Drew Rasmussen traveled to Atlanta last season and Yandy Diaz partook of the festivities in Seattle in 2023.
Rasmussen worked out of the bullpen upon returning to the mound in August 2024 following a year-long absence from a third elbow surgery. The righthander rejoined the rotation last season with a managed workload – he did not have as many as 90 pitches until his 14th start – and took a 2.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with him to Atlanta as a replacement for the injured Yusei Kukuchi.
This time around, Rasmussen is one of MLB’s top starting pitchers as underscored by an American League-leading 0.90 WHIP and .197 batting average against. A 7-4 mark is accompanied by a 2.78 ERA that is fourth. To some degree, a second straight all-star nod serves to support that of last season when he finished 10-5 with what also a 2.78 ERA – How’s that for consistency? -- and a 1.02 WHIP in exactly 150 innings.
“Not that last year’s (selection) was a fluke, but I do think imposter syndrome kicks in a little bit,” said Rasmussen, who turns 31 on July 27. “To go to one (all-star game), and to do it a second time, I think is validation. It is to say the first one was definitely earned, but you almost have to prove it, or back it up, and do it a second time.”
Actually, the Rays have a formidable trio at the top of their lineup. As they often have of late, Diaz has led off with Jonathan Aranda (.287, team leading 58 RBI) batting second and Caminero third. Maybe Aranda will find his way to Philly as an injury replacement.
“I am thinking there is one and, maybe, two more that could have the opportunity to join us,” said Rasmussen, with fellow starting pitcher, Nick Martinez, also in mind.
Diaz, who won an American League batting title when he hit .330 in 2023, headed into play Tuesday evening trailing Houston’s Yordan Alvarez by one point (.318 to .317) in the AL. He was third in the league in on base percentage (.399) while hitting 12 homers and driving in 53 runners.
“I think I have been kind of at my best this season,” the 34-year-old DH said following a four-hit game June 24 against Kansas City that bumped his average to .332. “You look back at ’23 and you look at now, and I think right now I have been putting up some of my best numbers.”
Caminero has been putting up some awesome numbers. The third baseman was voted in by the fans and will be the first player in team history to start multiple all-star games. His 26 homers and .928 OPS heading into play Tuesday were second to Alvarez in the American League.
Caminero’s recent tear at the plate has been quite a sight. The Dominican, who turned 23 on July 5, tied a franchise mark (Carlos Pena, 2010) with home runs in six straight games – a stretch that commenced with his first career three-homer game June 25 against the visiting Royals – and concluded the holiday weekend with 11 home runs in 11 games.
After playing 50 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Caminero arrived for good last season. He blasted 45 homers, which were the second most (Pena, 2007) in Tampa Bay’s history and the second most by a player in his age 21-or-younger season behind Eddie Mathews’ 47 in 1953.