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Atlanta Braves’ Camargo: he’s hitting, but is there a fielding concern?

By Alan Carpenter

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 9: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves throws to first for the out i the sixth inning of an MLB game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on September 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won 6-5. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 9: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves throws to first for the out i the sixth inning of an MLB game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on September 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won 6-5. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Winter Leagues are hard to gauge.  The competition is a bit uneven and the whole environment is… unique.  But it can give some hints to think about for the future.

There were still a few Atlanta Braves playing baseball here in December, and there’s one in particular I’m like to focus on:  Johan Camargo.

Camargo played for the Aguilas Cibaenas (think “Eagles”) of the Dominican League.  The team was playing since October and last hit the field on Thursday the 21st… and in fact, they’re now done – finishing 25-25 and in 4th place.

Aguilas was a good hitting club.  They were second in the league in both average and in OPS (.261, .681 respectively) and hit the most homers of any team (28) in their 50 games.  They didn’t walk a lot, though, accepting the fewest free passes in the league.

Camargo was listed as a second baseman, though he played 3B exclusively over the season’s last week, and a bit of shortstop as well.

He got into 20 games and received 74ABm posting this stat line:

  • .324 average
  • .925 OPS (highest on his team among those with more than 10AB*)
  • 2 homers, 12 RBI
  • 11 walks (nearly the highest rate on Aguilas), 15K (about 17.5%)
  • He added 5 doubles and a triple

*Fun fact: the guy with only 10AB doing better?  Christian Bethancourt.

Camargo was mashing, no doubt.  Exactly what Braves fans want to hear, though for comparison purposes, newly-re-signed Danny Santana hit .308/.742 OPS in 22 games/78AB.

Now the news to make us squirm a bit.  There were some fielding issues, and that’s where this gets a little complicated.

In just 20 games, Camargo committed 7 errors.

Here’s where we have to wonder about the quality and consistency of the Dominican infields.  Here’s some numbers for Aguilas players:

I’ll spare you the numbers and simply add that all other players listed as infielders (other than 1B) collectively had 8 more errors in the team’s 50 games.

Are those unusual numbers?  Let’s check with other clubs:

  • For the Estrellas team:  their two worst fielders were at 3B and SS (7 errors each in 53 total games)
  • The Giants:  the worst 6 middle infielders combined for 26 errors
  • The Lions:  They had a 9 error SS, 7 error 2B, and 6 error 3B… none with more than 30 game appearances.
  • The Tigers:  22 errors out of 4 different second basemen, plus 7 errors at SS (33 games for him).
  • Finally, the Bulls:  They led with a 14 error shortstop, plus 22 errors among 4 third basemen.

It’s still difficult to draw conclusions, but in light of these numbers from other teams, I’m inclined to suggest that while 7 errors over a handle of games, it also isn’t entirely out of line with the experiences of the rest of that league.

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In short, I’m chalking it up to the possibility of inconsistently maintained fields.

Still, with the Braves currently set to give Camargo a try at the full-time gig at third base, these numbers might give the Front Office pause to re-consider that thought, given the new emphasis on defense.

For a more useful comparison perhaps, note that in 43 games at 3B in the 2017 regular season (286 innings), Camargo was charged with just 3 errors – all from throws.

Next: Voters are ignoring a great player

Hopefully, my concerns are thus unfounded.

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