Johan Camargo determined to seize second chance at 3B for Braves

ATLANTA — Johan Camargo has a second chance to be the Atlanta Braves’ starting third baseman.

Camargo’s renewed motivation to make the most of this opportunity comes after hard lessons learned in a demotion to the minors last season. It shows with a renewed commitment to conditioning this offseason that has impressed his manager, Brian Snitker, and his teammates.

“I want to be back, that’s why,” Camargo said Saturday at the team’s fan event at the newly renamed Truist Park.

The Braves are looking for a new starter at third base after failing to re-sign Josh Donaldson, who landed a four-year deal with Minnesota.

Atlanta filled Donaldson’s vacated cleanup role by signing outfielder Marcell Ozuna to an $18 million, one-year deal. Camargo will compete with Austin Riley at third base this spring.

The 26-year-old Camargo’s edge is experience. He held the starting job most of the 2018 season, when he hit .272 with 19 homers and 76 RBIs.

“He was great,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said Saturday. “I don’t know how much more you can ask for.”

Freeman added Camargo “got put in a tough position last year” after Atlanta signed Donaldson to a one-year deal.

With Donaldson a fixture at third base, Camargo shifted to a utility role. He struggled, hitting only .233. He was hitting only .222 when demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett in August. He finished with a strong final month in Atlanta.

“I just hope he comes in where he left off, which was really good coming off Triple A,” Snitker said.

Camargo has lost about 15 pounds this offseason, when his workout regime in Tampa caught Snitker’s attention, especially when he saw video of the infielder “swinging that mallet against the big tire or whatever.”

There were concerns Camargo’s attempt to gain strength before the 2019 season hurt his defense. Camargo acknowledged Saturday the switch to a utility role contributed to his struggles. He said he’s confident about his chances to win the starting job this spring.

“I just prepare myself like I just want to be healthy,” he said. “To be honest, I know what I can do. I’ve done that before. I’ve just got confidence in me.”

Camargo said he’s still working on his strength but also has stressed renewed speed and quickness this offseason. He looks more like the player who spent much of his time at shortstop at the start of his career.

“He’s in great shape, obviously,” Snitker said. “He’s worked really hard this offseason, you can tell.”

Camargo, from Panama, also worked on mastering the English language. He spoke with reporters without assistance from a translator. He proudly noted his work on the language was “by myself.”