Fantasy Information Central - MLB Player Spotlights: Nick Johnson (1B), NYY

Nick Johnson (1B), NYY

May 04, 2003

NICK JOHNSON - NEW YORK YANKEES
Firstbase
Age: 24 (September 19, 1978)
Height: 6-3 Weight: 195
Throws: Left Bats: Left

Year	Team	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
1999	Norwich	AA	132	420	114	145	33	5	14	87	123	88	8	6	0.345	0.525	0.548	1.073
2001	Columbus	AAA	110	359	68	92	20	0	18	49	81	105	9	2	0.256	0.407	0.462	0.869
2001	NYY	AL	23	67	6	13	2	0	2	8	7	15	0	0	0.194	0.308	0.313	0.621
2002	NYY	AL	129	378	56	92	15	0	15	58	48	98	1	3	0.243	0.347	0.402	0.749
2003	NYY	AL	28	93	25	28	9	0	4	13	30	18	2	0	0.301	0.472	0.527	0.999
	ML Totals		180	538	87	133	26	0	21	79	85	131	3	3	0.247	0.366	0.413	0.779

History
Nick Johnson was selected by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1996 draft. The nephew of Phillies manager Larry Bowa, Johnson has shown great patience at the plate at every minor league stop.

In his first full professional season, he hit .273 with 16 homers and 76 walks at Single-A Greensboro. He even stolen 16 bases. In 1998, he was promoted to high-A Tampa where he hit .317 with 17 homers and 58 RBI. In 1999, he had an incredible year at Double-A Norwich. He hit .345 with 114 runs scored, 14 homers and 87 RBI. He led the league in walks with 123 while striking out 88 times. His only negative was a league leading 20 errors.

Johnson missed all of 2000 with a misdiagnosed wrist injury. In 2001, he struggled a bit at Triple-A Columbus hitting .256 with 18 homers and 49 RBI. He made his professional debut in September but hit only .194 in 67 at-bats.

2002 was a slighty disappointing rookie year for Johnson. He didn't show the plage discipline that he had in the minors as he walked 48 times while striking out 98 times. He finished the year hitting .243 with 15 homers and 58 RBI. He missed almost all of August with a wrist injury and clearly wasn't the same hitter when he returned in September.

2003 Outlook
With Derek Jeter on the DL, Johnson has thrived in the 2-hole in the Yankee lineup. He leads the majors in walks with 30 and he ranks 5th in OBP at .468. He's drawn a walk in 16 consecutive games. He's currently on pace to hit 20+ homers which is about where his minor league numbers would project him to be.

When Jeter returns from the DL in a couple of weeks, Johnson will probably be dropped to the 7th or 8th spot in the order. While this would hurt players in other lineups, the Yankees lineup in strong 1-9. I wouldn't expect a falloff in his numbers because of it. Johnson is most valuable in leagues that score OBP and OPS. His wrist injury is an ongoing concern as it was acting up this spring once again and he admitted that he'll have to care for the injury all year.

In the future, Johnson should be a fixture at the top of the Yankees lineup due to his great on-base ability. He should be a consistent .300 hitter with 20+ homers and 100 RBI. While he doesn't have great speed, he should steal a few bases a season.