When the Atlanta Braves acquired Justin Upton from the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was perceived as Upton plus others for Martin Prado and prospects. We knew that the Braves got more than just Upton, but we really didn’t care all that much since Upton was the story.

However, that “plus” that went to Atlanta has been every bit as good as Upton — well, that might be a bit of a hyperbole, but Chris Johnson has been absolutely extraordinary for the Braves in 2013.

It’s not as if Johnson was a complete unknown before this season. He did hit over .300 with the Houston Astros in 2010, but no one could have expected that Johnson would have produced this well, especially since he is replacing the legend that is Chipper Jones. 

Coming into Monday, Johnson is second on the team — right behind Upton — in fWAR at 0.7. I’m willing to bet the Braves would have been satisfied if Johnson gave the Braves 0.7 wins all season long. Johnson is also hitting as if he is Chipper Jones sans the base-on balls. His slash line is a remarkable .387/.410/.547, which is way above his career average, obviously.

Johnson is one of the reasons why the Braves have one of, if not the best team in all of baseball. However, with all that being said, Johnson’s BABIP figure is virtually unsustainable, seeing as no player as gotten a hit for every other ball put in play for an entire season.

Nevertheless, every team has an unsung hero that helps that team win games without really being noticed. Chris Johnson is that player for the 2013 Atlanta Braves.