Comments on: Rob Johnson’s Offense

By: currcoug

currcoug — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:16:46 +0000

Kenji’s OPS last year was .609, so I have to assume you want the Mariners to make a trade for another catcher? The Mariners’ position is that Adam Moore isn’t ready to handle a MLB pitching staff, and it appears Clement has no future as a catcher for the M’s. I rather doubt the M’s are going to make such a trade, so I wish Rob Johnson success in his quest to improve as a hitter.

By: diderot

diderot — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:59:30 +0000

July numbers do not support your statement

And with the small sample size of July so far, his OPS is still 618 on the year. I think that pretty much tells the story.

By: currcoug

currcoug — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:39:39 +0000

“Actually, every word of that analysis remains true.”

Fortunately, Wak doesn’t think so and Rob’s July numbers do not support your statement:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=28866

By: The Ancient Mariner

The Ancient Mariner — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:37:13 +0000

TranquilPsychosis: I don’t think the point is that we should be excited by Johnson (please, no more “RJ” — that’s taken), but rather that we don’t need to dread him (as much, at least), and that there’s reason to think that he really is the better of our two MLB catchers. Granted, that may say more about what’s happened to Kenji’s career than it does about Rob Johnson, but it also (and more importantly) says a lot about the validity of Wakamatsu’s judgment in giving Johnson the preponderance of starts.

By: Marinerz51

Marinerz51 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:57:24 +0000

[no]

By: JMHawkins

JMHawkins — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:03:49 +0000

In 2007 AAA Rob put up an 268/331/372 line for a 311 wOBA. Iâ€™d have to think if he continues to improve and make some adjustments, a .311wOBA has to be within his reach.

In 2008 he posted a AAA wOBA of .351 in nearly 500 PA, so he’s shown some ability to hit (though that seemed to be built on a pretty high BABIP, so maybe it was luck). I’m glad Dave posted this because it does seem like he’s been a little better at the plate lately. Nice to see the confirmation in the numbers.

As far as defense goes, I’m pretty appalled at Johnson’s defense. From my POV, he’d need to carry a .351 Major League wOBA to make up for his glove, but I’m just a fan. The guys who run the team seem to be more than happy with him.

Wednesday he will be 26. Kenji is 33 and his knees seem to be going on 95. If nothing else, maybe fewer starts for Johjima will help his hitting too.

By: TranquilPsychosis

TranquilPsychosis — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:46:09 +0000

No more rosterbation in this thread.

Ok, I’ll try to contain my creative juices.

So I haven’t seen what the thought is on how Rob Johnson might project as a hitter if he keeps this track.

I’m thinking mostly along the lines of a .300 wOBA kind of hitter at best. Am I missing something in not being all that excited by him?

By: Jeff Nye

Jeff Nye — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:31:35 +0000

No more rosterbation in this thread.

By: TranquilPsychosis

TranquilPsychosis — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:12:34 +0000

[response to ot]

By: cdowley

cdowley — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:02:54 +0000

DSS – No. Just no. For one, Martinez is playing a fair amount of first lately because his knees are going. For another, he’s a butcher behind the plate.

On the main topic, I’ve rather enjoyed seeing Sara (my nickname for Rob) grow as a hitter of late. He’s been tweaking his mechanics the last month or so, as has been noted, and it’s really paying off.

Has anyone noticed that his body placement has changed behind the plate, too? It looks like he’s trying to get better plate coverage to better avoid passed balls. I approve.