J.J. Johnson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #26 prospect in 2003
  For three straight years, one of the Cubs' better offensive prospects has been hampered by a hand injury. Following Nic Jackson and Hee Seop Choi, Johnson was the victim in 2002. After winning top-prospect honors and the MVP award in the Northwest League the year before, he never got untracked because of a severe bone bruise in his right hand. He was hit by pitches on the hand twice early in the year, which affected his ability to grip the bat and to throw. Johnson insisted on playing through that injury as well as later hamstring troubles, with dismal results. He has the swing, bat speed and whole-field approach to hit for power and average, assuming he tightens his strike zone. Johnson also has average speed and an arm suitable for right field. He may return to low Class A to start 2003 in order to boost his confidence.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #13 prospect in 2002
  Vice president of player personnel Jim Hendry calls Johnson "a gut-feel guy" from the 2000 draft, over which Hendry presided as scouting director. Georgia area scout Sam Hughes loved Johnson's bat, so the Cubs took him in the sixth round. After a fine pro debut that year, he was even better in 2001, when he was named MVP and the No. 1 prospect in the short-season Northwest League, which he also led in RBIs. He has the stroke and bat speed to hit for power and average. Compared to Nic Jackson, Chicago's other top outfield prospect, Johnson has more power and less athleticism. But he's not a bad athlete, as his speed is average and he shows a strong arm in right field, where he moved last year after playing shortstop in high school and third base in the Arizona League. Though Johnson will need to tighten his strike zone as he moves up, he should be able to make the adjustments. He'll begin 2002 in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #5 prospect in 2000
  Johnson, not Luis Montanez, earned White Sox manager Jerry Hairston's vote as the top prospect in the Northern Division, even if he only got a two-game look as part of interdivision play. Johnson teamed with Montanez to give the Cubs a solid left side to their infield. He finished third in the league RBI race. "He's got some pop in his bat and is a great mistake hitter," Kuehl said. "He has a real loose, athletic body and a lot of Willie McGee-like mannerisms." Johnson also played some first base, but most managers see his future at third. He has the hands and arm strength for the position, but needs to improve his footwork.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Johnson, not Luis Montanez, earned White Sox manager Jerry Hairston's vote as the top prospect in the Northern Division, even if he only got a two-game look as part of interdivision play. Johnson teamed with Montanez to give the Cubs a solid left side to their infield. He finished third in the league RBI race. "He's got some pop in his bat and is a great mistake hitter," Kuehl said. "He has a real loose, athletic body and a lot of Willie McGee-like mannerisms." Johnson also played some first base, but most managers see his future at third. He has the hands and arm strength for the position, but needs to improve his footwork.