Braves 2021 Player Previews: Johan Camargo Could Be Most Important Bench Piece

What can the Braves expect from Camargo in 2021?

Many of the expert projections see similar outcomes of Camargo’s 2021 season with one in particular standing out the most, taking a bold stance on Camargo’s performance in the upcoming season.

Projections from FanGraphs:

• The Bat X – 49 G, .239 BA, .295 OBP, .392 SLG, 7 HR, 25 Rs, 26 RBI, and an 81 wRC+
• ATC – 50 G, .251 BA, .307 OBP, .413 SLG, 6 HR, 23 Rs, 24 RBI, and an 89 wRC+
• Depth Charts – 49 G, .251 BA, .309 OBP, .422 SLG, 7 HR, 25 Rs, 26 RBI, and an 86 wRC+
• Steamer – 38 G, .257 BA, .319 OBP, .425 SLG, 5 HR, 18 Rs, 19 RBI, and a 90 wRC+
• ZiPs – 133 G, .245 BA, .299 OBP, .419 SLG, 15 HR, 54 Rs, 58 RBI, and an 83 wRC+

The first four projections are on a similar track, believing that Camargo will play a slight bench role, coming in when needed as opposed to being that go-to guy from the bench.

But ZiPs seems to be onto something completely different. From the numbers above, it seems like they believe Camargo will take a starting role. There does not seem to be a middle ground among the projections as he is either the partial bench piece or the starter.

I tend to believe that if third base stays the way it is (Riley being the primary guy), that Camargo could definitely get a manageable amount of games at third, but only if Riley begins to dip a bit. I do not believe that Camargo will be considered in regard to the starting third baseman at any point.

Getting back to the numbers, it could be very encouraging to see that Camargo’s projected batting average is higher than that of his 2020 showing, although this should been expected. Camargo cannot really afford to have a 2021 season mirroring the performance in his 2020 season.

Of all things, Camargo must find a way to lower his strikeout percentage, which managed to hit a career high last season with a 27.6%, especially if he is looking to play an important part on the Braves bench.