Chris Johnson, Braves not worried about 3B’s slow start

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The changes in Chris Johnson’s swing haven’t yielded great results in Grapefruit League games, but the Braves and their third baseman say they still aren’t concerned with 2 ½ weeks left in camp.

He was hitless in three at-bats Tuesday against the Red Sox and 3-for-23 (.130) with three singles, no walks and six strikeouts before Wednesday night’s game against the Yankees, when Johnson was out of the lineup.

“It’s coming,” Johnson said. “I’m not worried about it one bit. I’m confident as ever, I love the approach, I love where we’re at, and I’ve got it two weeks left to get it game-ready.”

Johnson made a significant adjustment at the beginning of camp, dropping his hands to around shoulder level to start his swing, from their previous position near the the top of his head. New Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer suggested the change, and Johnson agreed it made sense to get his hands in a better hitting position, so he can wait on pitches longer and drive the ball the other way. He’s had a few opposite-field line-outs in recent games.

“He’s been struggling with the bat, but he lined out in his last at-bat (Tuesday),” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Maybe that’ll get him going…. For me he’s fine. You look at the numbers offensively and they’re not where you want them to be. But you’re talking about a guy who’s been around the league a little bit, so you don’t pay much attention to those numbers.

“You know what he’s going to give you. You ask him that question, he’s going to be disappointed because he always like to hit. But you’ve got to be patient sometimes.”

Johnson was, in his own words, willing to try anything after seeing his batting average drop from .321 in 2013 to .263 last season, and his OPS plummet from .816 to .653. He made the changes Seitzer suggested, with the aim of driving the ball up the middle and to the opposite field again like he did in 2013, after becoming too pull-conscious last season.

In batting practice, Johnson said he’s getting the feel and seeing the results he’s aiming for.

“I just need to take it into the game,” he said, “because now my BPs are starting to get really good, I’m doing the things I want. A week ago I was frustrated because I wasn’t taking it into BP, so I just need to take it into the game. It’s good.”

After missing four days with a sore wrist, Johnson had at least three at-bats in six of the past seven games before Wednesday.

While he says he’s not worried, Johnson concedes that making such a change and sticking with it hasn’t been easy, especially in spring-training games when he’s struggled.

“It’s hard. Especially for me,” he said. “I don’t deal with failure well anyway. So failing, and then to try something new and feel awkward is a tough thing to deal with. But I feel like I’ve stuck with it. Seitzer has stuck with me. I think we’re going to get it. I think it’s something that’s going to make me a better player.”