Braves manager Brian Snitker said he needed to find a way to keep Johan Camargo in the lineup, and he’s found a way even if it means sitting ballyhooed rookie Dansby Swanson some lately.
Camargo started at shortstop instead of Swanson for the third time in six games Friday for the series opener against the Diamondbacks in the first game since the All-Star break. He hit .370 in the Braves’ past 23 games before Friday and started 20 of those games — 15 starts at third base, two at second and three at short.
“Obviously you see him in the lineup again, so I think everybody knows what kind of (impact he’s had),” Braves slugger Freddie Freeman said before Friday’s game. “That was a big series in Washington for everybody in this clubhouse, and he went out and proved to everybody that he belonged there. And he got rewarded by playing again tonight.”
Camargo had at least two hits in each of his past four starts, including consecutive three-hit games at Washington in the last two games before the break. In a 10-5 win Sunday against the Nationals he started at second base and went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk and his his first major league home run.
He was 27-for-73 (.370) in 22 games dating to June 16 with 11 extra-base hits, a .379 OBP, .562 slugging percentage and .959 OPS. He had 12 runs and nine RBIs in 19 games he started in that stretch, and the Braves were 13-6 in those games.
Meanwhile, Swanson hit .211 (16-for-76) with three doubles, six RBIs and 20 strikeouts in his past 22 games before Friday, with a .268 on-base percentage and .518 OPS.
“It’s about (Camargo is) performing and getting results, and it’s hard to keep the kind out of there,” Snitker said before batting practice Friday when asked about starting Camargo at shortstop. “It’s just about Camargo more than anything. That kid’s been doing well and I’ve got to find somewhere for him to play. He’s been in the middle of things, swinging the bat well, had a good weekend last weekend, and he’s been playing good.
“I’m trying to find somewhere to try to keep him in there, for our team.”
Freeman had a chance to watch Camargo closely from the dugout while Freeman was on the disabled list with a fractured wrist and then play alongside him at third base, where Freeman has played since returning from the DL last week.
“He’s been huge, he’s an unbelievable defender and he can hit from both sides,” Freeman said. “And he’s a winner. And he’s in the lineup for that reason.”
Swanson’s first full season in the majors has been a struggle much of the way, and the high-profile Marietta native was batting just .221 with a .296 OBP, .620 OPS and 19 extra-base hits (six homers) in 85 games before Friday. This after hitting .302 with a .361 OBP, .967 OPS and 11 extra-base hits (three homers) in 38 games last season during his first stint in the majors.
Swanson, who has struggled mightily against sliders this season, had a .206 average and .568 OPS in 283 plate appearances against right-handers before Friday, after batting .304 with a .771 OPS in 126 plate appearances against right-handers in 2016.
Snitker was asked Friday if he’s felt it necessary to talk to Swanson about the situation lately.
“No,” he said. “He’s out here working out early and everything. So, no, I haven’t.”
