Johan Camargo was designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, marking the end of his brief stint with the team.
Camargo was acquired by the Phillies in the offseason as a utility infielder, but struggled to find his footing at the plate and in the field. After being demoted to Triple-A in July, Camargo’s future with the team became uncertain.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what happened to Camargo with the Phillies, from his acquisition to his designation for assignment, and examine his performance and potential future in baseball.
Who is Johan Camargo?
Johan Camargo is a 28-year-old infielder from Panama. He began his professional career in the Atlanta Braves organization, where he was signed as an international free agent in 2010.
Camargo made his major league debut with the Braves in 2017 and spent four seasons with the team, playing primarily at shortstop and third base.
In his rookie season, Camargo played in 82 games and posted a .299 batting average, earning him a spot on the NL Rookie of the Year ballot.
Overall, he played in 444 games with the Braves, hitting .254 with 25 home runs and 132 RBI.
When and Why the Phillies Acquired Him?
The Phillies acquired Johan Camargo in February 2021 in a trade with the Braves. The Phillies sent minor league pitcher Edgar Santana to Atlanta in exchange for Camargo, who was expected to serve as a utility infielder for the team.
The Phillies were in need of infield depth, and Camargo’s versatility and experience made him an appealing target. He was also coming off a strong showing in the Dominican Winter League, where he hit .342 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 27 games.
The Phillies hoped that Camargo could continue that success and provide a reliable option off the bench.
Camargo’s Performance With the Phillies
Johan Camargo’s performance with the Phillies was disappointing overall. In 52 games with the team, he hit .237 with four home runs and 16 RBI. His on-base percentage was .296 and his slugging percentage was .357, resulting in an OPS of .653.
While Camargo had some productive games at the plate, he was inconsistent and often struggled with strikeouts. Defensively, he played all over the infield, but made five errors in 113 chances, resulting in a fielding percentage of .956.
Where He Played and How He Was Used?
Camargo was used primarily as a utility infielder with the Phillies, playing at third base, shortstop, and second base. He also made a few appearances in left field. Camargo started 20 games at third base, 13 at shortstop, and 12 at second base.
He was used mostly as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement, with just 10 starts in his 52 games with the team.
While he showed some flashes of potential, he never fully established himself as a consistent contributor, leading to his eventual demotion and designation for assignment.
Demotion to Triple-a
When and Why Camargo Was Sent Down?
Johan Camargo was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in late July 2021. The move came after Camargo struggled to produce consistent results at the major league level, hitting just .212 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 38 games since being acquired by the Phillies.
The team needed to make room on the active roster for other players, and Camargo was the odd man out. The Phillies hoped that a stint in the minors would give Camargo a chance to regain his confidence and work on his hitting approach.
How He Performed in the Minor Leagues?
In Triple-A, Camargo’s performance improved somewhat, but still fell short of expectations. He hit .273 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 26 games with Lehigh Valley.
While his batting average was higher than it was with the Phillies, his on-base percentage was just .333 and he struck out 29 times in 97 plate appearances.
Defensively, he played primarily at third base and shortstop, committing just one error in 72 chances. Despite his improved performance, the Phillies did not recall Camargo to the major league roster and eventually designated him for assignment in September.
Designation for Assignment
To be designated for assignment means that a team has removed a player from its 40-man roster and placed him on waivers. The player is no longer part of the active roster and is not eligible to play in games until he clears waivers or is claimed by another team.
When a player is designated for assignment, the team has 7 days to trade, release, or outright the player to the minor leagues.
If the player is claimed by another team, the team that designated him for assignment can either negotiate a trade or allow the player to be claimed.
Why the Phillies Made This Move?
The Phillies designated Johan Camargo for assignment in September 2021, primarily to make room on their 40-man roster for other players. Camargo had been demoted to Triple-A earlier in the season, and his performance there did not warrant a call-up back to the major league roster.
The Phillies needed roster spots for other players who were returning from injury, such as Rhys Hoskins and Alec Bohm, and decided to remove Camargo from the roster to free up space.
While it was a disappointing end to Camargo’s brief stint with the team, the move was necessary for the Phillies to manage their roster effectively.
Possible Reasons for Camargo’s Struggles
Johan Camargo struggled at the plate during his time with the Phillies, hitting just .237 with four home runs and 16 RBI in 52 games. His on-base percentage was .296, and he struck out 49 times in 157 plate appearances.
Camargo struggled with consistency, often looking lost at the plate and chasing pitches outside of the strike zone. Defensively, he made five errors in 113 chances, indicating a lack of focus or confidence in the field.
Possible Explanations for His Lack of Success
There are several possible explanations for Camargo’s lack of success with the Phillies. One factor may be the pressure of playing for a new team and trying to prove himself after being acquired mid-season.
Camargo had spent his entire career with the Atlanta Braves prior to joining the Phillies and may have felt added pressure to perform well in his new surroundings.
Additionally, Camargo was used primarily as a utility infielder, which may have affected his ability to get into a consistent rhythm at the plate. Playing multiple positions requires different defensive preparations and can be mentally and physically taxing.
Another possibility is that Camargo’s struggles were due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the 2020 baseball season and limited player development and preparation.
Camargo played in just 35 games in 2020 and may have been impacted by the shortened season and lack of consistent playing time.
It is also worth noting that Camargo had undergone surgery on his right hamstring in 2020, which could have affected his performance.
Overall, while there is no single definitive explanation for Camargo’s struggles with the Phillies, it is likely that a combination of factors, including pressure, positional versatility, and the effects of the pandemic and injury, contributed to his lack of success.
What’s Next for Camargo?
Potential Destinations if He Clears Waivers
If Johan Camargo clears waivers, he will become a free agent and can sign with any team. There are several potential destinations for him, including teams in need of infield depth or utility players.
The Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and Pittsburgh Pirates are all teams that could be interested in Camargo, as they have struggled with infield injuries and inconsistency this season.
Additionally, there are several teams that could use Camargo as a bench player or pinch hitter, such as the New York Yankees or San Francisco Giants.
Possibility of Being Traded or Released
It is also possible that Camargo could be traded or released if another team expresses interest in him. The Phillies could try to trade Camargo to a team in need of infield help or use him as a bargaining chip in a larger trade.
Alternatively, they could release him outright, allowing him to sign with any team as a free agent. The decision on Camargo’s future will likely depend on how much interest he generates on the waiver wire and whether the Phillies feel that he has a future with the team.
Johan Camargo’s statistics during his time with the Phillies:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 52 |
| Plate Appearances | 144 |
| Batting Average | .237 |
| On-Base Percentage | .291 |
| Slugging Percentage | .374 |
| Home Runs | 4 |
| RBI | 12 |
| Runs Scored | 12 |
| Strikeouts | 42 |
| Walks | 11 |
| Defensive Innings Played | 334 |
| Fielding Percentage | .972 |
Table name: Johan Camargo’s Phillies Statistics (2021)
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Camargo have any notable moments with the Phillies?
Camargo’s time with the Phillies was relatively unremarkable, and he did not have any standout moments during his 52 games with the team. He hit a few home runs and made some solid defensive plays, but overall his performance was inconsistent and he struggled to find his footing with his new team.
How did Phillies fans react to Camargo’s struggles?
Given that Camargo was only with the Phillies for a short time, there was not a significant fan reaction to his struggles. However, some fans expressed disappointment with his performance, particularly given the high hopes that the team had for him when he was acquired in the mid-season trade.
What is Camargo’s overall career trajectory?
Johan Camargo has had an up-and-down career so far. He burst onto the scene as a rookie with the Braves in 2018, hitting .272 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI. However, he struggled in 2019 and 2020, hitting just .233 over those two seasons. Camargo was demoted to Triple-A in 2021 and ultimately designated for assignment by the Phillies, so his future in the majors is uncertain at this point.
Did the Phillies make any other notable trades or acquisitions during the 2021 season?
Yes, the Phillies were active at the trade deadline in 2021, acquiring several players in an effort to bolster their roster for a playoff push. They acquired pitchers Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy, and Hans Crouse from the Texas Rangers in exchange for several prospects, and also added outfielder Freddy Galvis in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.
To Recap
Johan Camargo’s time with the Phillies was short-lived and ultimately unsuccessful. After being acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves mid-season, Camargo struggled to find consistency at the plate and was demoted to Triple-A before being designated for assignment in September.
While there is no single definitive explanation for his lack of success, it is likely that a combination of factors, including pressure, positional versatility, and the effects of the pandemic and injury, contributed to his struggles.
Looking ahead, Camargo’s future is uncertain, as he will need to clear waivers in order to become a free agent. If he does clear waivers, there are several potential destinations for him, including teams in need of infield depth or utility players.
It is also possible that he could be traded or released by the Phillies. Regardless of what happens, it is clear that Camargo’s tenure with the Phillies was disappointing, and he will need to work hard to regain his form and find success with a new team.
