Third Base Still An Enigma For The Atlanta Braves
By W. M. Lawson
With the announcement that Johan Camargo will open the 2018 season on the Disabled List, the questions at 3rd Base continue for the Atlanta Braves.
Word from the Atlanta Braves camp is that Johan Camargo, the presumptive Opening Day starter at Third Base, will actually start the season on the DL, due to a back issue. This is just the latest in a long line of seasons in recent memory where the Atlanta Braves enter a season with questions at that position.
That groan you hear from Braves Country is a response to the Camargo news. Well, that and the Acuna reality. But, mainly the Camargo news.
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If you know anything about the game, you know that your defensive corners are two of the most important positions on the field and one of the most reliable indicators of a successful team. You stink on the corners, chances are that your whole team probably stinks.
With a vibrant enthusiasm finally flowing towards STP, news that our Braves are iffy at 3rd again just sucks. That’s crass. But, that’s what folks would say.
That isn’t to say that Camargo is necessarily the long term answer there. It also isn’t say that Rio Ruiz, his presumed replacement, can’t play well. There were always going to be some questions, and Ruiz certainly has shown talent to surprise. But Camargo seemed like he was better suited to start currently.
Their Springs haven’t been all that different at the plate. Camargo has had far fewer ABs hitting .241 in 29. Ruiz shows an average of .236 in 55 At Bats.
Much like many other positions, there is a hope on the horizon in the form of 20-year-old Austin Riley. Dude played with promise in camp, showing sorely needed power at times, but isn’t ready just yet. Camargo was supposed to a very athletic stop-gap, and possibly even a revelation himself. Beginning the year with back trouble doesn’t bode well.
Again, this doesn’t take away from the possibility of quality production from Rio Ruiz. He’s clearly talented athletically. Consistency at the plate and clean defensive play will be his test.
Next: Atlanta Braves: So, Who Plays Left Field Until April 13, 2018?
So, here we are again. Questions about 3rd going into April. Surely, with Freddie Freeman at 1st as a strength, the Atlanta Braves can put a quality 1st and 3rd out there before Freeman, a possible Hall of Famer, is gone. Right? RIGHT?