The Royals signed Johan Camargo to a minor league, the team announced. Though the team hasn’t announced it, the deal presumably comes with an invite to big league spring training camp.
Camargo, 29, spent the past season with the Phillies, tallying 166 plate appearances over 52 games after initially joining on a minor league pact. He hit three home runs and put up a .237/.297/.316 line.
Camargo had a couple of productive seasons for the Braves after being called up for the first time in 2017. During 2017-18, he hit 23 home runs and put up a wRC+ of 110 over 780 plate appearances. Combined with some strong defense at third base, Camargo put up 4.6 fWAR in those first two seasons in Atlanta and looked to be establishing himself as a valuable contributor for the Braves.
His production fell off considerably from 2019, and since then he’s put up a well below-average wRC+ of just 66, 34 percent below the league average. Camargo was mostly used as a shortstop by the Phillies, and has appeared at other infield and outfield spots over his career, but generally grades out best at third.
Remember when he was supposed to be the solution to 3rd base for the Braves?
Yeah, alot of people were calling him the next Omar Infante or Martin Prado…
Some liked him so much, they didn’t want Riley at 3rd hecause of him
That certainly didn’t age well…
Some people wanted them to get Travis Shaw instead of Riley. Hah
Lol I forgot about that one!! haha…
I think there was quite a bit of chatter of acquiring different third basemen and moving Riley to LF, keeping him in AAA, or trading him because people thought he wouldn’t be able to cut it at the ML league level..
That is even though he was a notoriously slow starter at the beginning of each year, and the fact each time he was promoted he needed an adjustment period before he really took off..
Of course that didn’t stop “fans” from freaking out and jumping the gun..lol
I think he could surprise some people and end up being our starting 3B. He plays very good defense and has had 2 good years on offense (when he was a starter for the full season). Also hit .326 in AAA in 2021. Never know…. And we definitely need a decent third baseman!
I think he could surprise some people and end up being our starting 3B. He plays very good defense and has had 2 good years on offense (when ahe was a starter for the full season). Also hit .326 in AAA in 2021. Never know…. And we definitely need a decent third baseman!
He’s a toad out there, no hustle I dunno where you get he’s good on defense
What am I missing here? Bobby Witt Jr. gets atrocious grades at SS with the glove. I don’t mind the Camargo signing at all, but “starting 3B by the end of the season” should be going to Witt, not him. Mondesi is cooked and maybe being shipped out this year. Maikel Garcia should be getting the best shot to be the OD SS, with Witt at 3B and Camargo/Mondesi as bench options at best.
I think Witt is an absolute star with the bat but he ranks last in every single advanced defensive metric for SS.
Witt was also a rookie last season and made the jump from high A to MLB. He may not have put up good metrics but he did make some incredible plays and showed that he has great range and a very strong arm. I wouldn’t give up on him as a SS after one season.
Witt never played a single game at high-A…
You’re right, He spent 21 playing AA-AAA. Not sure why I thought he went high A to MLB.
I’m going to guess you didn’t watch many games. Bobby Witt Jr is electric in the field, his problems last year defensively were more about focus and consistency. Most of his errors and problems came on routine balls and throws. Fixable stuff. The talent is there to be an elite defensive shortstop.
Johan probably be a pretty good stick with enough at bats and somebody telling him he doesn’t have to hit a finger every time…
dinger, not finger… stupid phone
His AAA numbers last year were absolutely terrible.
… on the other hand, when the Royals sign you to a minor league deal, it’s prolly time to get your resume organized…
Low risk and easily flipped to a club with mid-season injury issues.
Just filling out the AAA roster.
Whichever team signs him, gets to the WS. It’s a 2-year pattern.
Bullet dodged! Thank you KC Royals.
The GOAT is back.
Only replying cause I love your name. If every GM was willing to do for their org that J Copp tried doing for the Braves…..my fantasy name is Coppolella’s blank check.
Prime example of why relying on internal development from prospects to be MLB-ready is so risky. I hope the same doesn’t happen with the current crop of Yankees prospects, but given the history, I sure wouldn’t be surprised. Overrating their prospects seems to be the only thing prospect-related that they’re consistent with.