Michael Johnson
| AB | 1453 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .262 |
| OBP | .356 |
| SLG | .498 |
| HR | 75 |
- Full name William Michael Johnson
- Born 06/25/1980 in Georgetown, SC
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Clemson
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Drafted in the 2nd round (54th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2002 (signed for $500,000).
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Duke's Larry Broadway was supposed to be the class of ACC first basemen, but Johnson has surpassed him and has an outside chance of being a sandwich pick. While Baker has slipped in the minds of scouts, Johnson has improved. He shortened his swing without sacrificing his above-average power, which he generates with a quick bat and nice loft. He uses the whole field and makes adjustments well. He's reminiscent of former Clemson first baseman David Miller, a 1995 first-round pick of the Indians, but has more power. He runs OK and is athletic enough to possibly handle the outfield as a pro.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Johnson was one of the biggest disappointments in the organization in 2004. Drafted in 2002 one round after his Clemson teammate, Khalil Greene, Johnson returned to Clemson when negotiations broke down but was able to sign a week before the 2003 draft for $500,000 because he was a fifth-year senior. The Padres planned for Johnson to open his first full season in high Class A with a midseason promotion to Double-A, but a slew of injuries, including a dislocated kneecap that cost him a month, limited his playing time. When he was healthy, he was far from an offensive force. Johnson does have skills. He has plus raw power and draws plenty of walks, and he's a solid defender. Johnson can get too pull-conscious, leaving him susceptible on the outer half of the plate. His confidence took a hit during the year, causing him to get what one scout called "passive aggressive," as he'd wait too long for the perfect pitch and then overswing, trying to hit the ball a mile. He's a below-average runner. Johnson will turn 25 during the 2005 season and needs to start moving. He was impressive in instructional league, so the Padres hope he'll carry that success into 2005 in Double-A. -
Negotiations with Johnson deteriorated after the Padres drafted him in 2002, one round after they took Clemson teammate Khalil Greene. The two sides were roughly $300,000 apart when Johnson returned to college, where he dislocated his right ankle during fall practice. But San Diego retained his rights up until the 2003 draft because he was a fifth-year senior, and he signed for $500,000. Sent straight to high Class A, Johnson was a bit overmatched and struggled with a bruised left knee. Johnson is similar to former Padre Dave Magadan, a line-drive hitter who uses the whole field and controls the strike zone. The key is how much power Johnson will develop. Though he finished with 58 homers at Clemson, one shy of the school record, he doesn't turn on pitches and hasn't shown much home run pop with wood bats. He has to improve at first base, where he looked awkward in his pro debut, and San Diego has ruled out trying him as a left fielder, though he has below-average arm strength. Johnson would be best off returning to high Class A, at least to begin 2004. Now that he's acclimated and healthy, the Padres expect to see the player they thought they were getting.
