Quick Word on Rob Johnson
by Jon ~ July 7th, 2009
Overall, Rob Johnson isn’t a great ballplayer right now. He isn’t good with pitches in the dirt or throwing out runners and hasn’t yet shown the ability to hit with any consistency (or at all).
But the pitchers say they love him, so that’s something. It would be good know if their rave reviews of the chemistry they have with Johnson are relative to how they sync up with Kenji Johjima, or if they feel like Johnson is legitimately one of their favorite catchers ever. I would go with the former, but that’s just my gut.
There is no good way to figure out if Johnson is truly bringing out the best in the pitching staff. Catcher’s ERA (CERA), for example, is a ridiculously flawed stat, and any catcher comparison based on pitching stats are skewed by a million different variables. But I’m inclined to believe that there is something to the reports that pitchers are clicking with Johnson and that he’s bringing out a little more, but that brings up the question, is he bringing out enough to justify sitting Johjima, who is a better player in all things tangible?
If Johnson could start hitting a bit that would make things a lot easier.
3 Responses to Quick Word on Rob Johnson
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Slurve
July 7th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
He’s a good guy his defense might have been a little over hyped but his skillset says fringe starter. Right now though hitting mendoza line is very bad and I don’t know if RJ somehow makes them pitch better but I rather would have someone who can hit right now since the catcher spot has been a black hole until lately.
Dustin Shires
July 7th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
It’s hard to argue with the results we’ve been getting, but you’re right, Johjima is better at everything tangible.
Johnson being an offensive blackhole and a joke behind the plate (just watch him) is somehow working.
Adam Moore for Catcher in 2010 please!
Slurve
July 7th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I’m still on board for Clement(though this is dying)/Kenji for the catcher of the now and Moore the catcher of the future.
I guess maybe Clement can’t catch everyday after all although it’d be interesting to see if a Clement/Kenji platoon or something like that.