Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves‘ Elliot Johnson is good at impersonating people, doing pretty spot-on impressions of Harry Caray and Tim Kurkjian, among others.
But since the Braves claimed him off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 22, Johnson has proven to be a solid baseball player as well.
Not only has he given Atlanta quality defense at both corner outfield positions, second base, shortstop and third base, he has also swung a fairly good stick. He hasn’t set the world on fire by any means, but he has been better than any of the other current options the Braves have at, oh, I don’t know, second base.
As you may can tell, I’m not a big Dan Uggla fan.
I’m not saying that Johnson, who has hit .213 with 12 home runs and 62 RBIs in 291 career games, is the Braves’ long-term option at second base, but he should be their regular second baseman for the rest of the 2013 MLB season.
After all, Johnson goes all out on every play, and his .250 batting average since coming to Atlanta — albeit in many less at-bats — blows Uggla’s .184 mark out of the water. In addition, Uggla needs to be sent a lasting message that his below-average offensive production will not be tolerated anymore. It has been a long three years with the 33-year-old manning second base, and it’s time for a change.
Johnson deserves a chance to play on an everyday basis, perhaps even into October, because he is the better player of the two right now.
Plus, his impressions make me laugh, while Uggla continues failing to impersonate a major league hitter.
Josh McKinney is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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