12/22/11

Mack On… C Rob Johnson

Mack On…  C Rob Johnson 

·        First of all, Johnson was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 4th round of the 2004 draft.  

·        Johnson hit .341/.366/.502/.868 in his final year (2004) at the University of Houston. He hit only seven home runs that year and has a total of nine in eight professional seasons. 

·        Decent minor league hitter:  2008: AAA - .305, 2010: AAA - .297 

·        Johnson’s hitting in the majors has been consistent the past three years:  2009: .213, 2010: .191, 2011: .190. 

·        Johnson is a defensive specialist that was loved in Seattle by the pitching staff. In 2009, pitcher Felix Hernandez went 15-2, 2.01 with Johnson catching. He went 7.22 with Kenji Johjima behind the plate. 

·        He had a 3.22 catcher-ERA in 2009, the best in the majors. 

·        Johnson had surgery on both his hips after the 2009 season. 

·        One of the heroes of Utah's stunning blowout of Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl as he made two interceptions to seal the historic win for the Utes. A junior college transfer who went on to have a decorated career at one of the faster rising programs in the nation, Johnson intercepted 4 passes in 2007 to go along with his 44 tackles and 3 passes broken Up (PBU). He was rewarded with an Honorable MWC selection and Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of Week. He started 11 of 12 games in 2008, recording 41 tackles and 4 INTs. Johnson is big and strong; Fast (4.52) and agile. Fills the alley fast and bangs in the box. Better-than-average closing speed. Plays the ball in front of him well. Good work habits. Energetic and vocal. A leader. He is maybe too stiff and high cut. Has trouble changing directions without slowing down. Tends to bite too much on play fakes. Is not a force against the run, despite his size. Needs to refine his coverage skills. A true Free Safeties with upside, Johnson needs to learn consistency and better technique. Overall, Johnson is a mid range prospect at his position and should hear his name called between the third and fourth round… oops… wrong Rob Johnson.

No comments: