SF Giants sign former Phillies, Atlanta superutility infielder to milb deal
The SF Giants signed infielder Johan Camargo to a minor-league deal earlier this week, assigning him to Triple-A Sacramento. Camargo appeared in every big-league season from 2017-2022 with Atlanta and the Philadelphia Phillies. He has not appeared in the majors this season, hitting .263/.340/.460 with the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers Triple-A affiliates. He was released by the Tigers on August 3rd.
SF Giants infielder Johan Camargo plays shortstop during his tenure in Atlanta. (2021)
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Camargo was signed out of Panama by Atlanta back in 2010 as a teenager. The young infielder climbed the minor-league ranks over the next several years, making his MLB debut in 2017. As a rookie, Camargo appeared in 82 games and hit .299/.321/.452 while playing all over the field defensively, primarily at third base and shortstop. Still just 23, he seemed like a promising young player.
Camargo built upon his rookie campaign with the best season of his career in 2018. As Atlanta's primary option at the hot corner, Camargo hit .272/.349/.457 with 27 doubles and 19 home runs in 524 plate appearances. A switch-hitter, particularly effective against left-handed pitching, his 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.
It's been some time since Camargo was an average or better MLB hitter, but the 29-year-old infielder still could help a big-league team. Despite his recent struggles, his career triple-slash against left-handed pitching in the majors is .265/.319/.463 with 26 doubles and 15 home runs in 409 plate appearances.
Given Johan Camargo's defensive versatility and the Giants struggles against southpaws this season, it's not out of the question that he could find his way to Oracle Park at some point this year. It's only one game, but Camargo did go 2-for-5 with a 469-foot home run (against a lefty) in his first game with the SF Giants at Triple-A.
