LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Kelly Johnson came to camp as a non-roster invitee, a nine-year veteran about to turn 33, now trying to earn a roster spot on the team he broke in with in 2005 as one of the top prospects in a celebrated rookie class known as the "Baby Braves."
It was the first time that Johnson had to prove himself in camp and beat out plenty of others for a bench job, and he did it. The Braves won’t make their opening-day roster official until Sunday, but Johnson was told about a week ago that he’d made the team. (The 25-man projected roster is listed below.)
The circumstances made it special for Johnson, a Texas native who makes his home in Atlanta with his wife and three young boys, and who played for six organizations in the four years since he left the Braves after the 2009 season.
He signed a minor league contract in late January with no assurances that he’d make the team. So this was satisfying.
“Very,” he said Saturday. “An opportunity was given, and I had a chance to hang in and a chance to work on some things, and work with Seitz (hitting coach Kevin Seitzer), and get a chance to go play different positions and show versatility. I felt like that’s where I presented a lot of value – left-handed hitting, play a lot of different positions. And they gave me every opportunity to go out and do it.”
He earned the spot as backup corner outfielder and infielder by hitting .309 (29-for-55) with seven extra-base hits (two homers), a team-high 11 walks in 27 games, for a .441 on-base percentage. This after going 1-for-12 in his first four games and not getting his second hit until the Braves’ 10th Grapefruit League game.
“I feel good,” said Johnson, the Braves’ hottest hitter in the second half of the spring schedule. “I feel like overall, just from a personal standpoint, it’s probably the best spring training I’ve had. So under the circumstances that makes it even more gratifying.”
As thrilled as he was to find out he’d made the team, Johnson’s wife, Lauren, and their three sons were at least as happy.
“No more packing up (for the season),” Johnson said, smiling. “Well, I shouldn’t say no more; you know how this game is. But for at least for the time being, we’re here (in Atlanta). That’s awesome. Being home, that’s going to be special for my kids.”
Braves' projected 25-man opening-day roster. (The official roster won't be announced until Sunday.)
Outfielders: Nick Markakis, Jonny Gomes, Eric Young Jr., Kelly Johnson, Pedro Ciriaco
Infielders: Freddie Freeman, Jace Peterson, Chris Johnson, Andrelton Simmons, Alberto Callaspo, Phil Gosselin
Catchers: Christian Bethancourt, A.J. Pierzynski
Starting pitchers: Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, Shelby Miller, Eric Stults, Trevor Cahill
Relief pitchers: Craig Kimbrel, Jason Grilli, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan, Andrew McKirahan, Juan Jaime, Cody Martin
