Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

40-Year-Old Third Baseman3B
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Chris Johnson in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the White Sox in January of 2019. Released by the White Sox in March of 2019.
Released by White Sox
3BFree Agent  
March 21, 2019
Johnson was released by the White Sox on Thursday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson did what he could to stick around this spring, hitting .308 with an on-base percentage of .400. He'll look to latch on with a new team on a minor-league deal.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Chris Johnson See More
Collette Calls: Pump the Brakes on Mondesi
January 2, 2019
Jason Collette analyzes Kansas City's Adalberto Mondesi and gives fantasy owners plenty to think about before reaching for the hot prospect in drafts this season.
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
August 21, 2016
Jan Levine takes a look at the National League free agent pool this week and who might provide some value to your fantasy squad in the last six weeks of the season.
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
July 10, 2016
Jan Levine runs down this week's free-agent options and bids, including the Cardinals Kolten Wong, who could benefit from the injury situation in St. Louis.
DraftKings MLB: Monday Picks
June 20, 2016
The Rockies are away from Coors Field on Monday, but RotoWire's Chris Olson still likes Carlos Gonzalez against opposing starter Paul Clemens.
Weekly Hitter Rankings: Ready to Rock
June 4, 2016
Erik Siegrist finds a lot to like the Rockies' schedule this week, as Colorado gets a break with an extra home game and by missing Clayton Kershaw in Dodger Stadium.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
After signing a one-year deal with Miami prior to the season, Johnson turned in a disappointing performance with Marlins in 2016. The 32-year-old infielder slashed .222/.281/.329 while adding five home runs and 20 RBI. Johnson also had a difficult time avoiding strikeouts, as he struck out 29.5 percent of the time. While Johnson spent most of his career as a third basemen, he has had to transition to playing mostly first base off the bench as he has gotten older. Overall, Johnson was a slightly below-replacement level player in 2016, which was evidenced by a -0.8 WAR. Johnson signed an NRI deal with the Orioles over the offseason, and considering that he is a below average defensive first basemen at this point in his career, he will need to show significant signs of improvements at the plate during spring training if he wants to make the major league 25-man roster in 2017.
Johnson got off to a sluggish start for the Braves before being traded to the Indians in August. He didn’t fare much better in Cleveland, compiling a .679 OPS in 27 games and then landing on the DL with a hand infection. In each of the last two seasons, he’s struggled with strikeouts at a clip above his career 24.7%. Johnson handles southpaws well enough (.314/.350/.436 in 724 career plate appearances) to be a platoon option at the infield corners. The Marlins will presumably pair him up with Justin Bour at first base after he signed a one-year deal with Miami in January.
Former Braves general manager Frank Wren handed Johnson a three-year, $23.5 million extension in early May, which seemed to ease the third baseman's mind following a dismal month of April (.583 OPS). He hit .301 over the next two months, but Johnson, the runner-up for the NL batting title in 2013, finished with just a .263/.292/.361 line last season. Johnson's walk rate plummeted to a career-low 3.8%, while his strikeout rate jumped to 26.0%, from 21.2% in 2013. His ISO fell by close to 40 points and his wOBA dropped by nearly 70 (from .354 to .289), as Johnson embodied the Braves' regression as a whole. Given his contract, it seems likely Johnson will continue in an everyday role at third base for Atlanta, but his lack of plus power and fluctuating average take him out of the conversation in most mixed formats, and he'll make for a low-end option in NL-only leagues, while likely batting near the bottom of the order.
Johnson began the 2013 season in a platoon with Juan Francisco, but took over as the everyday third baseman after Francisco was designated for assignment in late May. He rewarded the Braves for their trust, finishing with the second-best batting average in the National League (.321) while smacking 12 home runs and 34 doubles. The numbers were surprising, but even more so when looking at his advanced statistics, as Johnson posted a rather paltry .136 ISO, and his contact rate dipped slightly. His walks were also down, as he drew only 29 in 514 at-bats, and his .394 BABIP jumps out as an anomaly. Johnson did, however, hit lefties with great consistency (.383 average), after struggling against southpaws in 2012 (.245 average). Still, a regression at the dish seems inevitable, but the hot corner is his, and he could move up to the five-hole in the batting order to fill the void left by the departure of Brian McCann.
The lack of big league ready third basemen in the upper levels of the D-Backs' system led to the acquisition of Johnson from the Astros in late July. Over the final 44 games, he hit .286/.321/.503 with seven homers in 160 at-bats, flashing a career-high .218 ISO during that span. All signs point to an opportunity for Johnson to reprise his role as the team's starter in 2013, while prospect Matt Davidson will continue his development in the minors, at least initially. A subpar defender with a meager 4.8 percent career walk rate, it's easy to envision a scenario where the D-Backs decide to make a change at the hot corner in-season if Johnson manages to earn the Opening Day nod.
Johnson had one of the more disappointing seasons in the majors last season, hitting just .251/.291/.378 with seven home runs. On closer inspection, no one should be surprised. Just as he did in 2010, Johnson struck out more than once every four at-bats, and like 2010, it again took him on average nearly 25 plate appearances to work a walk. With numbers like these, 2010 looks like more of a fluke than 2011 does. Perhaps a good hitting coach can straighten him out, but time is running short.
After Pedro Feliz unsurprisingly faltered, Johnson got a chance to start and blossomed into a young stud at third. There were several times last year when he went on offensive tears -- look no further than his .359/.393/.615 July line for proof. Despite relatively solid numbers, there are still reasons to be concerned. Johnson has a tendency to overswing and he struck out in more than a quarter of his at-bats. He will open the season as a starter, but expect a few bumps and bruises as the league gets an extended look at the promising corner infielder.
Johnson had a solid, if unspectacular 2009 season. His power numbers are passable, but his plate discipline (21:89 BB:K) leaves a lot to be desired. If Johnson gets a shot at starting and everything clicks for him, he could hit double-digit home runs with an acceptable batting average. If it doesn't, he'll wind up a reserve infielder and platoon third baseman. The latter outcome is more likely after Houston signed Pedro Feliz to man third base in December.
More Fantasy News
Signs with White Sox
3BChicago White Sox  
January 23, 2019
Johnson signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.
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Reinstated from DL
3BBaltimore Orioles  
June 27, 2017
Johnson (forearm) was reinstated from the 7-day disabled list Tuesday.
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Rehab stint set to start Monday
3BBaltimore Orioles  
Forearm
June 16, 2017
Johnson (forearm) will begin a rehab stint with short-season Aberdeen on Monday, David Hall of The Virginian-Pilot reports.
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Hopeful for mid-June return
3BBaltimore Orioles  
Forearm
May 25, 2017
Johnson (forearm) swung a bat for the first time since injuring himself in early April, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.
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Undergoes surgery Tuesday
3BBaltimore Orioles  
Forearm
April 11, 2017
Johnson (forearm) underwent successful surgery Tuesday to repair his broken right forearm, David Hall of The Virginian-Pilot reports.
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