GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Everyone in the fantasy baseball world is aware of Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton, he of the ridiculous 155 stolen bases during the 2012 season to break the minor league record. Hamilton is a big leaguer now, capable of greatly impacting the game, probably being held in a bit too high esteem. Anyway, do you know who led the minors in stolen bases last season? It wasn’t Hamilton, though his 75 bases came awfully close. In fact, Chicago White Sox second baseman Micah Johnson stole 84 bases to make his mark. I caught up with the speedster before Monday’s fun 9-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals -- he wasn’t running at the time, obviously -- at Camelback Ranch, asking him first about comparisons with the very popular Hamilton.
“I don’t know the man, but from what I’ve seen and heard, 150 or whatever steals is a lot,” said Johnson, who's enjoying his first camp but likely headed for Double-A Birmingham. “The fair assessment is he’s faster than me. I don’t try to be him. He has his game, I have my game. We both steal a lot of bases, but our main goal is to score a lot runs.”
Johnson, now 23, scored 106 runs in his 131 games and 601 plate appearances mainly in Class A ball last season, so don’t go drafting him onto fantasy teams quite yet. The White Sox think he has a bright future at the top of a batting order, and while nobody can run quite like Hamilton, Johnson clearly isn’t Adam Dunn, either. It’s worth noting that Hamilton struggled to get on base at Triple-A last season, a malady that Johnson seems aware of as he discussed his on-base percentage with me. Johnson, ranked fifth among White Sox prospects by Keith Law, hit .312 with a .373 on-base percentage (50 walks) last season at Kannapolis, Winston-Salem and Birmingham. I asked him about his timetable to get to the big leagues.
“For me to just be in big league camp is special, a blessing to be here, a lot of fun,” said Johnson, who easily beat out an infield single in his lone at-bat in the seventh inning, went first to third in a ridiculously short amount of time when the next hitter singled off the shortstop to left field and scored a run. In the eighth inning he grounded out to shortstop, barely. “Whenever they think I’m ready, I’ll be ready. I prepare every day so I don’t see why not. I just need to find more consistency, get on base any way I can get on base. If my on-base percentage is .400 I’m happy because that’s more run opportunities.”
Smart man, and fantasy owners would be wise to keep Johnson’s name in mind for dynasty and keeper formats. It might not be Hamilton-ian speed, and as the old saying goes, one cannot steal first base. Let’s see how often Johnson reaches first base this season at the higher level, and we’ll have a better idea of his future.
Far closer to 2014 relevancy is third baseman Matt Davidson, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Addison Reed trade, and immersed in a camp battle with Marcus Semien, a versatile player with more modest pop but better speed. Davidson’s calling card is power, as he hit 40 home runs the past two seasons at Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno. The right-handed hitter (like Semien) received 87 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks last season, with half his hits going for extra bases, and he drew a healthy number of walks, too. Of course, as Davidson pointed out to me, we need to see more to know if this is a guy who can really handle big league pitching.
“I don’t look too much into the stats,” Davidson, 23, conceded. “It was a very small sample size, 70 at-bats or so [76, to be exact], but I was comfortable. It’s a learning curve. The first half I was up there I had timing issues with the leg kick, so I just got rid of that. I’ve been better ever since. I’m just going to go for it.”
Law described Davidson as a “potential .250-.260 hitter this year with 15-20 homers and plenty of doubles,” which obviously would appease plenty an AL-only owner. In mixed leagues there are more than 15 better options, but keep an eye on the camp battle. Semien has a future, as well; he could also unseat second baseman Gordon Beckham, since the latter hasn’t posted an OPS on the good side of .700 for a full season since his rookie campaign of 2009. Yeah, it’s been a while. Semien doesn’t project for 20 home runs. Davidson surely does. I asked Davidson if he was capable of reaching 25 or so soon and he said, “I’ll let everyone else tell me what I’m projected for. But I believe so. I’ve improved every year. I think if I get a full season I can do that.”
And finally, I’m looking forward to seeing what center fielder Adam Eaton can do with a full season of at-bats. I profiled Eaton a year ago when touring Arizona spring training, projecting him as a top rookie candidate capable of double-digit home runs and 30-plus stolen bases immediately. Eaton was a Diamondback then, but he tore a ligament in his throwing (left) elbow in the spring and it torpedoed his season. Eaton always hit in the minors (.348/.450/.501 with much speed!) and I would argue nothing has changed in his statistical prognosis, but he surely dropped down in fantasy circles. He’s leading off for the White Sox, though he got the day off Monday, and has been telling reporters his arm feels fine. There’s upside here; ESPN Fantasy ranks Eaton outside the top 50 outfielders, but he’s firmly in mine. Don’t forget about last season’s sleepers!
Notes: Strong pitching wasn’t on display in this high-scoring game. Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie isn’t likely to be selected in many leagues, but Chicago’s Jose Quintana had a solid 2013, posting a 3.51 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 200 innings. Not a bad last pitcher in 12-teamers. Quintana went three innings, allowing two runs, with forgotten prospect Johnny Giavotella nailing an RBI triple and scoring. … Royals lefty reliever Tim Collins was hit hard, allowing four runs (one earned), but Greg Holland is safely the closer, and Luke Hochevar, who tossed two excellent innings, is next. … White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu did not play, but hitting cleanup was lefty Andy Wilkins, who blasted a three-run homer in the first inning. Wilkins isn’t a notable prospect, and Abreu is obviously in his way. … Jorge Bonifacio, the well-chiseled younger brother of Chicago Cubs speedster Emilio, blasted a long home run in the eighth inning. Jorge Bonifacio is 20 and not a big power guy, though some believe he’ll develop more. Just a name to tuck away for 2016. … Danny Valencia started at third base against the lefty, and it will be interesting to see if that continues in April. Mike Moustakas had his problems in 2013. Valencia isn’t a bad dollar guy for daily leagues when you know he’ll play; he mashed lefties last year (1.031 OPS in 97 ABs) and the team is using him at multiple positions this spring.