Chris Johnson, Infield


Date of Birth: 10/1/1984
Birthplace: Naples, Florida
College: Stetson University

Chris Johnson, infielder, was first drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2003 but he opted for college instead. Three years later, he was drafted by the Houston Astros. After playing in the minor leagues for almost four seasons, Johnson was called up to the Astros, playing in 11 games with them in 2009.

Johnson played in 94 games with the Astros in 2010. He had a strong season, batting .308 with 105 hits, 22 doubles, 11 home runs, and 52 RBIs. The following year, he played in 107 games with the Astros.

In July, 2012, after playing in 92 games with the Astros, they traded Johnson to the Arizona Diamondbacks. That season, he batted .281 with 137 hits, 28 doubles, 15 home runs, and 76 RBIs in a total of 136 games. After the season ended, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Atlanta Braves. In 2013, his first season with the Braves, Johnson batted an impressive .321 with 165 hits, 34 doubles, 12 home runs, and 68 RBIs in 142 games. He finished the 2014 season with 153 hits, 27 doubles, 58 RBIs, and a .263 batting average in 153 games.

In May, 2014, Johnson signed a three-year (2015-2017), $23.5 million contract extension with the Atlanta Braves. The contract included a 2018 club option.

Johnson was traded to the Cleveland Indians on August 7, 2015, in exchange for Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher. He finished the season with 62 hits and a .255 batting average in 56 games with the Braves and 27 games with the Indians. Defensively, he played 30 games at first base and 27 games at third base.

Johnson signed with the Miami Marlins on January 12, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with 54 hits and a .222 batting average in 113 games. Defensively, as the Marlins' first baseman in 81 games, he made 23 assists, 37 double plays, 360 putouts, and 3 errors.

Johnson became a free agent on November 3, 2016. He signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles in February, 2017. He spent the 2017 season in the minors.

Johnson elected free agency on November 6, 2017. He didn't play professional baseball in 2018.

Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on February 23, 2019, and he was released on March 20th. He hasn't played professional since 2017.

Career batting statistics for Johnson through 2017 include:

  • 839 games played
  • 773 hits
  • 154 doubles
  • 339 RBIs
  • 753 strikeouts to 144 walks
  • .275 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Johnson at third base through 2017 include:

  • 638 games played
  • 984 assists
  • 85 double plays
  • 314 putouts
  • 75 errors
  • .945 fielding percentage

Personal Life

Johnson's father Ron played major league baseball from 1982 through 1984 with the Kansas City Royals and the Montreal Expos. He was a minor league manager from 1992 through 2009 and again from 2012 through 2014. He was a coach with the Boston Red Sox in 2010 and 2011.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Chris Johnson
ESPN - Chris Johnson