CINCINNATI — Johan Camargo is with the Braves for a third time this season. Camargo didn't play much during the two previous stints, but manager Brian Snitker said Camargo should get more chances this time to fill the utility-infielder role.
That task was filled by Jace Peterson for the past two seasons, but the Braves sent Peterson to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday and promoted Camargo. Snitker said Camargo can back up shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Brandon Phillips and that he may also work out at first base as a potential option behind Matt Adams.
Camargo, 23, was among the highest-rated Braves prospects before the team acquired several in trades over the past two seasons. He was promoted to Gwinnett from Double-A Mississippi this season and was hitting .311 (38-for-122) with a .353 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage. He played 253 innings at shortstop for Gwinnett with four errors in 108 chances and 17 innings at third base with no errors in four chances.
Camargo played five games during a stint with the Braves from April 11-20 and three games from May 17-19. Entering Saturday he was hitting .182 (2-for-11) and had played 18 innings at third base with zero errors in 11 chances.
Peterson was hitting .194 with a .293 on-base percentage in 42 games (29 starts). That lack of production was exacerbated by his troubles in the field: Peterson committed two errors in 58 chances at second base, one in 13 chances in the outfield and one in 11 chances at shortstop.
