|
2008 Scouts don't consider Johjima to be one of the better-throwing catchers in the majors, but last year he led the American League in runners caught stealing with 40 and was second behind Joe Mauer in percentage of thieves caught (46.5). Some credit manager John McLaren, then the team's bench coach, for working on Johjima's throwing mechanics in spring training, but Johjima's improved record behind the plate, with decreased numbers of errors and passed balls, seems to indicate that better communication with his pitchers played a part as well (or a better relationship with official scorers). Along with Ichiro Suzuki and Jose Vidro, Johjima is part of an ongoing experiment with low strikeout hitters in whiff-enhancing Safeco Field. Those three, along with Jose Lopez and Betancourt, are among the fifteen most difficult American Leaguers to strike out. 2007 PECOTA had this Japanese import pegged, predicting a .292 average and a .789 OPS. The catcher was one of the hardest batters to strike out in the AL, leading all batting-title qualifiers by striking out in only 8.49 percent of his plate appearances. That`s free swinging by Johjima`s standards; in 2003 he struck out in just 15 of 604 plate appearances (2.48 percent) with Fukuoka. With Johjima signed for two more years (a bargain at just over $5 million per) and Clement and Rob Johnson in the queue, the M`s should have the catching position covered for the forseeable future. 2006 One of the best signings of the offseason. Major league teams have generally been reluctant to make huge offers for Japanese players, largely because they have a tough time projecting their stats against North American competition. Clay`s eponymous Davenport Translations tell us that Johjima`s huge numbers the last three years in Japan have as much to do with his talent as his environment. He`s not going to hit like vintage Piazza in Seattle, but given the sorry offense too many big league catchers put up, the M`s snagged a backstop whose power and pitch recognition skills should immediately propel him to the head of the AL`s catching class. Even the length of the contract was spot-on: Johjima turns 30 in June, so staying away from a huge four- or five-year deal and getting his services as he plateaus or falls off just a bit was smart.
|