Atlanta Braves: What version of Johan Camargo will we get in 2020?

The Atlanta Braves youngster surprised many when he found success at the plate in 2018 while also earning the starting job at third base. However, things were not as great for Johan Camargo in 2019 as he found himself with less playing time.

Last season was definitely a tough year for Johan Camargo after the Atlanta Braves signed Josh Donaldson. His playing time decreased, and as a result, his offense and morale suffered.

When Camargo found himself in a bench role, veterans like Matt Joyce and Charlie Culberson did their best to pick him up and show him how valuable he could be in that position.

Even his defense was down from 2018, which is what most fans have come to appreciate from him the most. A lot of fans even noted a lack of hustle from Camargo throughout most of the 2019 campaign.

That’s never a good sign but it can be tough to find yourself in a starting role, contributing to your team offensively to then be relegated to a bench role. However, this does not, in my opinion, mean you should ever half-heartedly play the game.

However, with Josh Donaldson now playing for Minnesota, Camargo has the opportunity to bounce back and prove his worth. There are reports that Johan has been working “exceptionally hard” to get back to form.

This is encouraging but also necessary because he will be dueling it out with Austin Riley for the starting job at third base.

General Manager and Executive Vice President Alex Anthopoulos stated during an interview during Chop Fest that he wouldn’t “bet against either guy” winning the job. That’s good to hear because competition can be the biggest motivator for young players.