Sometimes all a player needs is a chance. That was the case for Rays outfielder Kameron Misner on Friday.
Misner led off the bottom of the ninth with the Rays and Rockies tied at 2-2. He turned on the first pitch he saw from reliever Victor Vodnik, belting a 97 mph fastball off the plate inside deep to right for a walk-off home run, only the second time that the Rays had a walk-off Opening Day homer. That homer was the first of Misner’s major league career.
Misner was not expected to be in that situation. He had originally been slated to begin the 2025 season in Triple-A but was recalled when outfielder Richie Palacios landed on the injured list with a fractured right ring finger. Misner entered the game in the top of the eighth inning as a defensive replacement after starting left fielder Christopher Morel was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh.
Ranked as the Rays’ 27th-best prospect per FanGraphs, the 27-year-old outfielder has been lauded for his athleticism and power. However, Misner had struggled in his brief time in the majors in 2024. He was 1-15 with ten strikeouts over his three weeks with the Rays before ending the year in Triple-A.
However, Misner had a strong showing during the spring. He produced a .394/.474/.667 batting line in his 38 plate appearances, hitting two homers and three doubles. Misner had performed well enough to earn a place on the Rays Opening Day roster; he just needed that chance to open up.
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