Nick Johnson Scouting Report and where he will bat
According to the Canadian Press of all places, Nick Johnson will receive $5.5 million dollars to play for the New York Yankees.
Here’s a scouting report on Nick Johnson:
Assets: Can hit over 20 home runs. Has a great eye and great on-base skills. One of the most patient hitters in baseball. Is an awesome defensive first baseman with above-average mobility around first base.
Flaws:
Is one of the more injury prone position players in Major League Baseball. Strikes out too much despite having tremendous patience at the plate. Doesn’t have the power you want out of your first baseman.
Outlook:
Is a quality first baseman that will be a perfect DH for the Yankees since he’s injury prone.
It looks as though Nick Johnson will replace Johnny Damon in the two spot in the order because of his on base percentage. He won’t be replacing Matsui in the fifth spot because his lack of power. Granderson will bat fifth.
The oddest thing about Nick Johnson is that he hits lefties better than he does righties. He batted .316 against left-handed pitchers last year compared to .281 against righties.
The Yankees wanted to lower payroll and it looks as though they did because they didn’t sign Johnny Damon but Nick Johnson. I don’t see them going after Holliday.
My take on Nick Johnson: I like the signing. I like the fact that he gets on base and that he was a Yankee prospect.
Tags: new york yankees, nick johnson, nick johnson scouting report and where he will bat, Yankees, yankeesdaily
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December 18th, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Don’t you think the Yankees are more likely to bat Posada fifth and Granderson either 6th or 7th?
December 18th, 2009 at 6:30 PM
That would make sense. Against left-handed pitchers he’ll probably bat lower since he can’t hit left-handed pitchers. Still, he’s able to steal some bases and Jorge Posada hits into a lot of double plays so batting him ahead of Jorge might be the better move.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Against righties he should bat 5th. He has a higher slugging percentage than Cano and Posada (not by much). Against lefties though, he would possibly bat as low as 8th behind Posada, Cano and Swisher. And I would occasionally start Hoffman at CF against lefties.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Yes, his batting average is not good against lefties if we’re talking Granderson. Batting eighth would make the most sense when batting against lefties. The Yankees’ order should be ok. They’re still going to score runs.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:50 PM
I agree with UKYank except for the starting Hoffmann. As of now he has shown no reason to start in the MLB. The Yankees did not get Granderson to platoon.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Hoffman will have to prove himself. He’s not guaranteed a spot.