As I type, there are officially:10 days 2 hr 27 min 7 sec until Opening Day.
I just got my Home Opener tickets in the mail. Smells like a good season.
I thought I’d spend my share of the blogging, since there are about 10 days left, writing a short profile of each member of our lineup.
A brief glimpse to analyze offensively, defensively, and look at all that each position player brings to the Atlanta Braves table for 2008..
Speaking of tables, let’s start with our table setter Kelly Johnson.
I, like most Braves fans, see KJ as the presumptive lead off man for the Bravos this year. If you’re like me, you probably wouldn’t have too much trouble seeing Esco at #1 just as easily. But let’s just assume the incumbent will still be seated at leadoff or at the very least the number 2.
In 2007, Kelly hit .276, 16 HR’s, 26 2B’s, 10 3B’s, 9 SB’s, 79 BB’s, 68 RBI’s, and a .375 OBP.
Not bad for his first full year at second base and first time in the #1 spot.
At second, in 2007, Kelly had a .978 % w/ 14 errors in 133 games (127 GS at 2B).
So there are the numbers. And here’s what I think we can expect from the 26 year old Texan in 2008.
Patience at the Plate
Kelly with 79 BB’s last year and a moderate .375 OBP shows he can still improve in this category. Having a guy who can knock doubles around batting after him and then Tex, and Chipper to follow, the pressure will be on KJ to get on base.
Though he has decent speed (11 3B’s and 9 SB’s) he’s not a base stealer but he also doesn’t have to be he just needs to be on the bags as much as possible.
His 117 K’s in 2007 should drop and with a more patient approach we should see the BB’s and OBP soar. Kelly should have plenty of patience with such a formidable cast of characters batting after him.
Flashing the Leather
Kelly turned 84 total DP’s last year and had a decent glove hand with a .982 overall Fielding % (.978 at 2B). Although Edgar was a good battery mate, expect Kelly to do just as well if not better since he’ll be entering 2008 as a seasoned second baseman with an excellent Yunel at shortstop to his right.
What We Love About Kelly
His hustle, work ethic, and with 147 games played last year his ability to stay healthy since Tommy John, he could be poised for a substantial year in ‘08.
Braves fans love his quiet demeanor and while enjoying the fact that he has the potential to knock 20+ dingers to go along with his 26 doubles. Don’t forget about the 10 triples Johnson came by. Even the speedy Furcal has only ever mustered 11 career high triples.
Well there’s your outlook on Kelly Johnson at least from one man’s perspective. I think we have a lot to be excited about from the soft spoken Texan and after 2008 we may be feeling like we’ve got second base well in hand. And of course we want to hear what you think about your Braves’ lineup this year so feel free to chime in!
In the meantime, Braves and Tigers tonight. Hudson on the hill vs Verlander. Should be a good one!
Keep Choppin’,
JB in ATL
5 Comments
March 21, 2008 at 12:01 am
I think we’ll see consistent solid performance out of KJ this year at second. I think the transition from Renteria to Escobar as the infield duo will be no problem for him given Yunel’s performance.
Hope you’re watching the Tigers game right now…Chipper tied the game up with a solo shot just now as I’m typing this. We’re headed down to spring training tomorrow so I’ll do my best to keep an eye on the site while we’re gone.
-Jonathan
http://www.BravesBlast.com
March 20, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I think we'll see consistent solid performance out of KJ this year at second. I think the transition from Renteria to Escobar as the infield duo will be no problem for him given Yunel's performance. Hope you're watching the Tigers game right now…Chipper tied the game up with a solo shot just now as I'm typing this. We're headed down to spring training tomorrow so I'll do my best to keep an eye on the site while we're gone. -Jonathan http://www.BravesBlast.com
March 21, 2008 at 1:30 am
I really like KJ in the leadoff spot because I think he will be able to get plenty of walks and be on base for the middle of the lineup to drive him in. Unless the Braves decide to have Lillibridge or Anderson in the lineup, I don’t see any reason why Cox wouldn’t use KJ as leadoff hitter. I have been really impressed with what KJ has done at second base, and think that Glenn Hubbard deserves tons of credit for the work he has done with the second basemen in Atlanta.
March 21, 2008 at 2:29 am
I look for big things out of Kelly this season. The good thing about position players and Tommy John surgery is that they do not have to put the same strain and workload on the arm as a pitcher did. Kelly’s arm is about as good as it ever was based on the relay throws I’ve seen.
This spring he was talking about mastering the play up the middle, learning when to go to his backhand and when he can position himself to field it routinely. That really was the only real weakness he showed routinely.
He’s going to do the job and I’m looking forward to seeing this middle infield duo produce all year.
Love the site. Thanks for checking out my blog man. I’ll be sure to check in again soon.
Grant
Braves Radio
March 20, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I really like KJ in the leadoff spot because I think he will be able to get plenty of walks and be on base for the middle of the lineup to drive him in. Unless the Braves decide to have Lillibridge or Anderson in the lineup, I don't see any reason why Cox wouldn't use KJ as leadoff hitter. I have been really impressed with what KJ has done at second base, and think that Glenn Hubbard deserves tons of credit for the work he has done with the second basemen in Atlanta.
March 21, 2008 at 2:30 am
JB… congrats on the opening day tix. I’m still working on mine at shea myself! KJ’s a fine young player. A .375 OBP for someone with that type of experience says a lot.
Regards from N.Y.
~ Eddie @ Ya Gotta Believe
http://blog.silive.com/mets/
March 20, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I look for big things out of Kelly this season. The good thing about position players and Tommy John surgery is that they do not have to put the same strain and workload on the arm as a pitcher did. Kelly's arm is about as good as it ever was based on the relay throws I've seen. This spring he was talking about mastering the play up the middle, learning when to go to his backhand and when he can position himself to field it routinely. That really was the only real weakness he showed routinely. He's going to do the job and I'm looking forward to seeing this middle infield duo produce all year. Love the site. Thanks for checking out my blog man. I'll be sure to check in again soon. Grant Braves Radio
March 20, 2008 at 9:30 pm
JB… congrats on the opening day tix. I'm still working on mine at shea myself! KJ's a fine young player. A .375 OBP for someone with that type of experience says a lot. Regards from N.Y. ~ Eddie @ Ya Gotta Believe http://blog.silive.com/mets/
March 22, 2008 at 6:45 pm
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