SF Giants release former Phillies, Atlanta infielder from Triple-A
The SF Giants released veteran infielder Johan Camargo from the organization earlier this week. Camargo signed a minor-league deal with the Giants just over a month ago, and he received a big-league call-up less than a week later. However, he was designated for assignment once the Giants added more proven veteran infielder Paul DeJong and was outrighted back to Triple-A Sacramento. He hit just .213/.302/.340 in 53 plate appearances with San Francisco's top minor-league affiliate.
Johan Camargo plays defense during spring training at CoolToday Park. (2021)
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Camargo has appeared in every big-league season from 2017-2023, spending the bulk of his career with Atlanta before joining the Philadelphia Phillies last season for their run to the World Series. Prior to joining the Giants, Camargo had hit .263/.340/.460 between the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers Triple-A affiliates.
Camargo was signed out of Panama as a teenager by Atlanta in 2010. The young infielder worked his way up the minor-league ladder over the next several years and made his big-league debut in 2017. Almost as soon as he arrived, he showed excellent promise. As a rookie, Camargo appeared in 82 games and hit .299/.321/.452 while playing all over the field defensively, including at third base and shortstop.
Camargo built upon his rookie campaign with the best season of his career in 2018. As Atlanta's primary option at the hot corner, he hit .272/.349/.457 with 27 doubles and 19 home runs in 524 plate appearances. A switch-hitter, particularly effective against left-handed pitching, Camargo's offensive prowess and defensive versatility seemed to put him in a prime position to be at least an impactful bench player.
However, in the years that followed, Camargo has never posted a slugging percentage in the majors above .384 and slowly lost his footing in Atlanta. After appearing in just 50 big-league games between 2020 and 2021, Camargo was designated for assignment and became a free agent. He inked a minor-league deal with the Phillies prior to the 2022 season and appeared in 52 games as a superutility player but hit just .237/.297/.316 in 166 plate appearances before he was designated for assignment.
Camargo was 4-for-18 with a walk and four strikeouts during his MLB stint with the SF Giants. It's been some time since Johan Camargo was an average or better MLB hitter, but the 29-year-old infielder is a versatile defender capable of playing shortstop, third base, and second base. He also has showcased solid platoon splits against left-handed pitching. All of that put together suggests he should be able to land a minor league contract next season.
