Kelly Johnson Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4543
AVG	.251
OBP	.33
SLG	.422
HR	155

Full name Kelly Andrew Johnson
Born 02/22/1982 in Austin, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Westwood
Debut 05/29/2005
Drafted in the C round (38th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2000 (signed for $790,000).

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

A supplemental first-round pick in 2000 who was initially a promising shortstop prospect, Johnson stalled in 2002-03 but got his career going again last season when he repeated Double-A. He also moved from shortstop to the outfield with relative ease, seeing time at all three spots and playing primarily in left field. Johnson has solid all-around tools and a hard-nosed, fearless approach. He spread his stance at the plate and regained the power he showed three years earlier in low Class A. As an outfielder, he showed a plus arm along with good speed and range. Johnson is still learning to trust himself. Once he reacts instead of thinking about every move, he'll have a better chance to blossom. He also has to make more consistent contact at the plate and work on the nuances of outfield play. It's easy to forget how young Johnson is. Another dash of maturity could allow him to move more quickly than he has to this point. The Braves have slated Johnson for Triple-A in 2005 and continue to count on him as an eventual contributor in the majors.
The Braves believe Johnson will develop into an everyday player in the big leagues, particularly if the last month of the 2003 season and the Arizona Fall League are any indication. After battling some elbow soreness that limited him to six games in July, Johnson bounced back to post 21 RBIs in August, just three fewer than his total in the first four months. Johnson made some adjustments at the plate, including spreading out his stance and working counts, and once again showed the promise that he could hit for average and decent power at the major league level. With his hitting potential and ability to play a variety of positions, Johnson reminds several longtime members of the organization of a poor man's Chipper Jones. Currently stationed at shortstop, he doesn't have the quickness to remain there. Johnson could wind up at second or third base or one of the outfield corners due to his average-to-plus arm strength and speed. Spring training will determine whether Johnson moves up to Triple-A or remains in Double-A while attempting to become more consistent at the plate and to find a defensive home.
Johnson made a major splash in 2001, his first full season of pro ball, earning top-prospect honors in the South Atlantic League. His jump to high Class A last year was not as smooth, as he struggled for the first time before regaining his swing in July. Johnson is an offensive infielder with above-average pop and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. His power numbers were hurt last year by the large dimensions and constant breeze blowing in from center at Myrtle Beach's Coastal Federal Field. His quick hands will allow him to hit for both power and average once he quits out-thinking himself and trusts his natural ability. While he has improved defensively, Johnson's range and arm strength rate no better than average at shortstop and could lead to a move to third base. That said, he has the ability to become an impact player in the major leagues. He'll make the jump to Double-A in 2003.
Johnson made the Braves look brilliant in 2001. Little known as a supplemental first-round pick the year before, he blossomed into one of the most dangerous hitters in the South Atlantic League. After getting off to a 1-for-24 start, Johnson ended up second in the league with a .404 on-base percentage and fourth with a .513 slugging percentage. An excellent athlete with a potent stick, Johnson hits the ball hard and has as much raw power as anyone in the organization. He also has above-average speed that enabled him to steal 25 bases. Sally League managers tabbed him as the league's best prospect, best hitter, best power hitter and most exciting player. Johnson might not blossom, though, until he finds a comfortable defensive position. He struggled at shortstop in the season's first half, making numerous careless mistakes, before showing better concentration during the last two months. Johnson tends to ride the emotional roller coaster and can be hard on himself when he fails. Scouting director Roy Clark and scout Charlie Smith simply outworked the competition in evaluating Johnson. He'll move up to Myrtle Beach in 2002.
More than a few members of front offices throughout the majors looked at one another and said "Who?" when the Braves called Johnson's name last June as a supplemental first-round pick. Unlike most high-profile draft choices, Johnson hadn't played in national showcases, causing him to slip under the radar screen. The Braves, however, had eight different scouts evaluate him and every report echoed the same sentiments: Johnson is a player. After his solid debut in the Gulf Coast League, Johnson has drawn comparisons to Robin Ventura. A shortstop throughout his career, he has soft hands and a strong arm, but his body is on the verge of necessitating a move to third base. His natural sweet swing attracts the most praise because of his outstanding plate coverage. He also has better-than-average speed and is consistent defensively. Johnson produces a lot of line-drive hits in the gaps, and the Braves believe he'll hit for more power as his body matures naturally. Johnson is in need of more experience, which he'll get in his first full season at Macon.

Minor League Top Prospects

Promoted to the Braves in May to help shore up their outfield, Johnson gave them an instant spark by driving in 16 runs in his first full month in the majors. A 2000 supplemental first-round pick as a shortstop, he projects as a quality reserve on a contending club, capable of playing anywhere but pitcher and catcher. Johnson makes consistent hard contact by staying short to the ball with a compact, quick stroke. And it's easy to see how valuable he is offensively and defensively. He has good speed and range to go with a plus arm. Scouts and managers alike rave about his makeup, as he approaches the game with an all-out mentality on a daily basis. "He wasn't here long, but you'd have to say he was our MVP in that time," Kelly said. "He did it all for us."
After a .289-23-66 season at low Class A Macon, Johnson couldn't match those numbers in the CL. He also got caught stealing 15 times in 27 attempts and made 24 errors at shortstop. Despite his struggles, Johnson still has his supporters. He should provide more offense than a typical infielder, even if he has to shift to the hot corner down the line. Myrtle Beach's Coastal Federal Field helped keep his production down--he hit .246 with three homers there, compared to .264 with nine longballs on the road. "With his bat and power potential, they'll have to find a place for him," Cole said. "He may be a guy that probably has to move to third base. I'm not sure he has the range and arm strength to stay at short."
There were many raised eyebrows when the Braves made Johnson the 38th overall pick in the 2000 draft. In his first full season, however, he was named best batting prospect, best power prospect and most exciting player in the midseason Best Tools survey. Johnson showed the kind of lefthanded power the Braves hoped for. He has a beautiful swing and makes shrewd adjustments at the plate. "You get the ball up and he'll hit it out," Hayes said. "He'll steal some bags too," Macon manager Randy Ingle said. The big question with Johnson is his defense. He projects as a second or third baseman, though Ingle said Johnson made daily improvement at shortstop. He has a strong throwing arm and decent hands, but poor footwork led to many of his league-high 45 errors.