Kelly Johnson (baseball)

Infobox MLB player
name = Kelly Johnson


width = 189
caption = Johnson, playing for the Braves in June 2007
team = Atlanta Braves
number = 2
position = Second baseman
birthdate = birth date and age|1982|2|22
birthplace = city-state|Austin|Texas
bats = Left
throws = Right
debutdate = May 29
debutyear = 2005
debutteam = Atlanta Braves
statyear = 2008 season
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .273
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 37
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 177
teams =
*Atlanta Braves (by|2005, by|2007-present)

Kelly Andrew Johnson (born February 22, 1982 in Austin, Texas) is a Major League Baseball second baseman with the Atlanta Braves.

Professional career

Johnson was drafted in the first round (38th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves. Johnson made his Major League debut with the Braves on May 29, 2005 and became a regular outfielder, due to the many injuries that plagued the Braves early in the 2005 season. Johnson was named the National League Player of the Week for the week of June 13 after batting .417 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 24 at-bats. [cite web | title = "Johnson wins NL Player of the Week" | date = 2005-06-20 | publisher = MLB.com | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050620&content_id=1097465&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl]

An elbow injury sidelined Johnson for the entire 2006 season. He was placed on the disabled list during spring training after experiencing pain while making throws from the outfield, and had Tommy John surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews on June 1. [cite web | title = "Notes: Chipper looking for power surge" | date = 2006-06-01 | publisher = MLB.com | url = http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060601&content_id=1483406&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl] During the offseason, Johnson spent many hours with Braves first base coach Glenn Hubbard at Turner Field to learn how to play second base effectively. Johnson earned the starting position at second base and as the leadoff hitter for the Braves for the 2007 season. He has exceeded all expectations as a second baseman defensively, and has proved to be one of the majors' most productive hitters at his position.On April 8, 2007 Johnson hit the first leadoff homer of his career in a 3-2 win against the New York Mets. [cite web | title = "Kelly Johnson: 9 Home Runs in Career, batting 1st" | publisher = Baseball-Reference.com | url = http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/event_bat.cgi?n1=johnske05&year=2007#divisory=1&pitchORbat=bat&n1=johnske05&criteria1=lineup_position---1---batting_1st&year_game=career&event=23&out_type=] In late June, Johnson lost his position as the leadoff hitter in the Braves lineup. In the 48 games Johnson played in May and June, his on-base percentage was .325, well below the acceptable rate for a good leadoff hitter. Willie Harris, who took over the role as primary leadoff hitter, had an on-base percentage of .440 prior to June 22 (Johnson's last game as the leadoff hitter), prompting Braves manager Bobby Cox to make the change. [cite web | title = "Notes: Offense remains mired in slump" | date = 2007-06-25 | publisher = MLB.com | url = http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070625&content_id=2048563&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl] (As of August 10, Johnson had an on-base percentage of .419 since June 22.) In addition to being demoted from the top of the order, Johnson's offensive struggles motivated Cox to move Johnson into a platoon at second base with Yunel Escobar. [cite web | title = "Notes: Possible platoon at second" | date = 2007-06-26 | publisher = MLB.com | url = http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070626&content_id=2050560&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl] He capped off his year with 16 homers and a .276 batting average.

With Escobar taking over full-time at shortstop, Johnson began the year as the Braves second baseman for the by|2008 season.

Johnson had the longest hitting streak in the National League of the by|2008 season, hitting in 22-straight games. He hit .398 with 19 RBIs in 25 games in September. [cite web | title = "Batting Champ Chipper wants to retire a Braves" | date = 2008-09-28 | publisher = AJC.com | url = http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/09/28/chipper_jones_batting.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21] Johnson ended the by|2008 season with a .287 batting average, 12 homers, 69 RBIs, 86 runs, and 11 stolen bases.

Personal

Johnson is married to Lauren Thacker. They got married on January 26, 2008 and reside in Atlanta, GA.

References