Snitker unveils travel roster for first camp trip

Camargo impressing at Spring Training after participating in winter ball

February 21st, 2018

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The group representing the Braves in their first three games of the 2018 Grapefruit League schedule are set to make the trip this weekend along Florida's east coast.
Manager Brian Snitker announced the travel roster on Wednesday, which will include catchers Rob Brantly, , and ; infielders , , , , , , and Dansby Swanson; outfielders , , and Danny Santana; and pitchers , , Sam Freeman, , , , , , and .
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"The young big leaguers are going to have to go play, which is good," Snitker said. "We're not going to [overwork] anybody. We're going to spread it out, probably get the other guys [not making the trip] in there on Monday against the Nationals in the opener here."
Wisler, a right-hander, will start the team's first game, Friday against the Mets in Port St. Lucie. Snitker plans to follow with a pair of lefties to start the two games in West Palm Beach: Saturday against the Astros and Scott Kazmir on Sunday against the Nationals.
"It's in one-inning stints, but they're the three starters," Snitker said. "It'll probably be eight to nine [pitchers] each day, just one-inning things over the weekend to just get everybody out there, playing."
Snitker said he would plan to play no player more than twice on the trip.
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Camargo continues to impress
Health and confidence have peaked for Camargo after a strong 2017 season, despite a right knee injury, Snitker said. Camargo hit .295/.340/.473 in 33 games for Triple-A Gwinnett. He debuted almost as well with the Braves at the plate, slashing .299/.331/.452 in 82 games.
"He knows he can play here," Snitker said. "We got him working all over the infield right now, as well as most of them, really. But I'm excited about him too. In seeing him the last couple years, prior to last year even, where he's come mentally, physically … the kid just keeps getting better."

Snitker praised Camargo's continued success in the Dominican Winter League after the knee injury caused him to miss some of the 2017 MLB season. While playing for Aguilas Cibaenas, Camargo slashed .324/.425/.500.
"He keeps maturing … and with his skill set, I'm not so sure he's not an everyday big leaguer," Snitker said. "It's good for those guys to play that competition there [in winter ball]. … It used to be the guys from the States went -- that was part of the maturation process to the Major Leagues."
Snitker said young up-and-coming players such as Camargo have showed they belong more than last Spring Training. They have stayed crisp, focused and with a sense of urgency, Snitker said.
Hoping Cabrera rebounds
Snitker was pleased with right-hander remaining in the organization with Triple-A Gwinnett after the Braves designated him for assignment on Monday.

"The kid's got some work to do," Snitker said. "He got off the rails last year and fought some things. We're not going to give up on him. With an arm like that, we've got to keep working with him and do what's best for him."
A right-elbow issue slowed Cabrera's 2017 Spring Training after his effective relief work in '16 as a rookie. Cabrera went 5-1 with a 2.82 ERA in 38 1/3 innings for Atlanta that season, even saving six of seven opportunities. In '17 he struggled in multiple Minor League levels, amassing a 7.86 ERA with Gwinnett in 26 1/3 innings and a 5.27 ERA with Double-A Mississippi.
"We can slow it down for him and let these [coaches] get their hands on him," Snitker said. "Hopefully we get him back to where he was two years ago when the season ended, which was pretty good."