Through May 27, 2000
YR
2000 |
G
18
|
AB
30
|
R
6
|
H
9
|
2B
1
|
3B
0
|
HR
0
|
RBI
2
|
BB
0
|
SO
7
|
SB
2
|
CS
0
|
OBP
.300
|
SLG
.333
|
AVG
.300
|
Profile
& Scouting Report
Height:
5-11
Weight:
165 lbs.
Throws:
Left
Bats:
Left
Positions:
Designated Hitter, Left Field, Right Field
Born:
July 6, 1963, Lincoln Heights , Ohio
Drafted:
Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round of the 1984 free-agent draft; did not sign ... Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 31st round of the 1982 free-agent draft ... Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round of the 1984 free-agent draft.
Acquired:
Signed by the New York Mets as a free agent on Dec. 14, 1995.
Pre-Majors Highlights:
Was all-Sun Belt Conference while attending South Alabama in 1983-84.
Scouting Report
1999 Season
After hitting very well during the second half of 1998, Lance Johnson was expected to be the Cubs' leadoff man and offensive catalyst in '99. Injuries prevented him from being anything of the sort. He got off to a slow start before suffering an abdominal strain in June. The injury was slow to heal, which led to a July confrontation with manager Jim Riggleman. Johnson was activated in August after the Cubs threatened to release him. He played regularly for the rest of the year, but wasn't able to run well and didn't contribute much.
Hitting
Johnson has a history of slow starts and fast finishes. He's a slap hitter and one of the more extreme groundball hitters in the majors. He usually isn't bothered by lefties, though he was platooned last year and didn't face many of them. Johnson used to be one of the more aggressive hitters in the majors, but has changed a bit over the last three years. He now draws more walks, but not enough to make him an acceptable leadoff man unless he keeps his average close to .300.
Baserunning & Defense
Once a premier basestealer, Johnson's persistent physical woes have kept him from running as often as he used to. He hardly ran at all during the second half last year. He remains an excellent percentage basestealer when healthy. His speed is his main asset on defense as well. He covers a lot of ground in center field when he's 100 percent. His arm is weak but he can compensate when he's able to get to balls quickly.
2000 Outlook
Johnson was released by the Cubs two days after the season ended. Though he was quite durable earlier in his career, his age and recent injury history may make it hard for him to land another regular job. A role as a fourth outfielder may be the most he'll find. His replacement in Chicago will be Damon Buford, whom the Cubs acquired in a December trade with the Red Sox for Manny Alexander.
Scouting Report Source: STATS, Inc. Copyright 2000 STATS, Inc.
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