Kelly Johnson called up, to start in LF for Braves today

by abravesfan on May 29, 2005 12:41 PM EDT

Kelly Johnson finally got the call, will start today for the Braves in LF and bat 3rd! in the lineup. Evidentally Mondesi is hurt, but his play was painful enough that this callup is long overdue. Any predictions on how KJ will fare? I must say I'm suprised they are throwing him in the 3 hole in his first major league start. Langerhans is playing RF, giving the braves quite the homegrown lineup.

Garrett

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Looks like they have a keeper

Even though Johnson didn't get a hit, he still stung the ball twice.It looks like he controls the strike zone well and has very good swing mechanics.If he continues to have the approach he did today,he'll have success.Looks like a #3 hitter to me.The last time they threw a young player in the 3 hole, he had a good career and still is having one. His name -Chipper Jones. I was impressed with Johnson's play in the outfield. It looks like he is a great athlete.The only negative is that the Phillie infield duped him into getting doubled off in the bases. But I suspect with the embarassment that he won't repeat the same mistake twice.

If they keep Chipper, then I predict they'll have an outfield of Johnson in left, Andruw Jones in CF(if Andruw's traded,then Francouer in CF), and then Marte in RF.Any way a lot has to take place before this scenario happens.

by slugggo on May 30, 2005 12:40 AM EDT reply actions

Not sure if he's a keeper...

...but he has to be better than Mondesi. While I doubt he's as good of a player as he's been so far this year, he's still at least replacement level, something which Mondesi isn't...

by Brickhaus on May 30, 2005 1:21 AM EDT reply actions

3 hole

I think the reason he was in the three hole is to get more fastballs early on, so he can get settled in. It still bodes well for him that Bobby would put him there to help him settle in. It looks like they think pretty highly of him. I do think however that once he settles in he will be moved back to maybe the 6, 7 spot.

by JFP on May 31, 2005 11:25 AM EDT reply actions