Phillips soaking in time working with McGriff and Klesko
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.
— As an Atlanta native who spent his adolescence following the great teams the Braves fielded throughout the 1990s, Brandon Phillips has delighted in the opportunity to spend this week interacting with Fred McGriff and Ryan Klesko, who are currently in Atlanta’s camp as special guest instructors.
“I’ve been following this organization for a long period of time, and I was watching all of those guys when they were playing,” Phillips said. “When they do come around, it’s like I’m a kid in a candy store. I’m just happy to meet the guys up close.”
Phillips delivered a two-out, two-run double that accounted for all of the scoring in the Braves’ 2-0 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday afternoon at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex. The 35-year-old second baseman has reached safely in three of his first seven plate appearances, and he also indicated he’s still capable of creating some excitement with his glove.
During Saturday’s Grapefruit League season opener against the Blue Jays, Phillips delivered a no-look, back-handed flip to shortstop Dansby Swanson to begin a double play.
“[Phillips’ is going to bring a lot of energy to this team,” McGriff said. “He works hard, plays hard and has fun out there. That’s going to be valuable for a lot of these young players.”
Phillips has made a good impression on the Braves since he arrived at Spring Training on Feb. 17, just a few days after he was acquired via a trade that ended his long tenure with the Reds. He has displayed a strong work ethic and quickly developed a good relationship with Swanson.
As Swanson prepares for his first full Major League season, he has the benefit of having the locker next to Phillips, who made his Major League debut in 2002 — when Swanson was just eight years old.
“[Phillips] does fit right in,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s fun to watch. He works his tail off. Him and Dansby look pretty good out there together.”
After Phillips balked with his decision to approve a November trade to Atlanta, the Braves signed Sean Rodriguez to a two-year deal, anticipating he would open the upcoming season as their primary second baseman.
While the Reds were making it clear they were ready to move on from Phillips, thoughts of him ending up in Atlanta didn’t materialize again until Feb. 10, when the Braves learned Rodriguez may have to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a shoulder injury sustained in a Jan. 28 auto accident.
One hour after receiving the Rodriguez news, the Braves reopened talks with the Reds. Cincinnati was pleased when Phillips opted not to exercise the trade-veto privilege he had gained by playing in the Majors for at least 10 years and staying with his current club for at least five seasons.
“I’m having fun,” Phillips said. “I’m happy to be here.”
In other Braves news:
Camargo’s new power impresses Braves TAMPA, Fla.
— Johan Camargo began drawing attention at Braves camp two years ago, effortlessly fielding ground balls while working alongside Andrelton Simmons before some Spring Training games. But the slick-fielding shortstop truly became somebody to watch when he arrived this year with a much stronger physique.
Previously considered a defensive wizard with offensive limitations, Camargo has added 15 pounds to the 180-pound frame he carried into last year and now seems to have the potential to produce at the plate. The 23-yearold switch-hitter displayed some of his additional strength Wednesday night, hitting a threerun home run to center field during the seventh inning of an 8-7 loss to the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
“How many balls has he just walked up there and popped lately?” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s been fun to watch, the whole game. His whole game is better. He’s just so much bigger and stronger and more mature, I think both mentally and physically, than he was a couple years ago. He’s just a very impressive young man.”
Camargo’s no-doubt shot came from the left side of the plate at the expense of Yankees right-hander J.P. Feyereisen. Camargo has three hits, including a homer and a triple, through nine Grapefruit League at-bats.
While playing for Class A Advanced Carolina in 2015, Camargo slashed .258/. 315/. 335 and hit just one homer. He homered four times last year, slashing .267/.304/.379 for Double-A Mississippi.
“That’s what happens when they get bigger and stronger,” Snitker said. “We keep running them out there to play, and they get better.”
Camargo started at third base Wednesday and likely will see time at a variety of positions during Spring Training. The added versatility may prove beneficial as he attempts to make his way toward the Majors for an organization with Dansby Swanson at shortstop.
Odds and ends
-Matt Wisler surrendered four straight hits, including two doubles, in his Grapefruit League season debut on Wednesday. He retired just two of the seven batters faced in the third inning, but he worked a perfect fourth to conclude his outing.
-Top pitching prospect Sean Newcomb’s Spring Training struggles extended as he allowed six straight one-out hits, including two doubles, in the sixth inning during his first appearance of the year. Newcomb has now allowed 12 runs over 4 1/3 career innings of spring ball.
-Adam Walker, who was claimed off waivers from the Orioles in January, displayed his impressive raw power when he stuck his bat across the plate and hit an opposite-field homer off Travis Hissong. Walker’s high strikeout rates have plagued him throughout his Minor League career.