Although the above title is unfair (it's unlikely that lightning will strike the same bottle twice or whatever they say), it is an interesting preposition. Elliot Johnson is actually coming from an even lower place than Raburn as he has never been a solid starter and even when given a chance, was never able to make anything of it. In his best season, 2012, he played in 123 games and scored just 32 times with 33 RBI while batting .242. Compared to the rest of his career (.218/.273/.319), that season he looked like a superstar. After playing 111 games with a .209 batting average, Johnson may have been the player with the most to prove coming into the Indians camp this year.
To this point, he has done just that. In Spring Training, there are three types of players who get a lot of playing time. Starting pros who have very little depth to provide relief at their position, like Yan Gomes, minor leaguers who are eating up innings, like Carlos Moncrief and players who are trying to prove that they deserve to make the team, like Johnson. He has played as much as any player and more than some of his competitors for the last roster spot, including Ryan Rohlinger, David Cooper and Jason Giambi.
Taking advantage of this increase in playing time, Johnson has been crushing Cactus League pitching to a level unseen by any on the Indians team with the exception of Mike Aviles and Michael Brantley. So far he has batted .375, better than he has ever hit through any Major or minor league season, although it is just through 16 at bats. Even more impressive, he has one of the longest home runs this Spring, giving him half the total he had all last season. Although, to be fair, Johnson did hit two home runs for the Royals last Spring in 55 at bats. Of course, he batted a slightly lower .273 in that Spring.
There is a good reason the Indians would want Johnson to succeed as well. Although he has mostly played second base to this point (to spare Jason Kipnis), he has played all three outfield positions and all four infield positions in his MLB career. If the Indians want to use their usual back-up catcher spot to carry a fifth outfielder or DH, something that seems likely at this point, it would be of great help to have a player like Johnson as a utility infielder who can literally play wherever he is needed.
The final 25 man roster is very far from set and it is a good thing that there are still the majority of three weeks left in Spring Training. While he has not earned a spot yet, Johnson has placed himself in consideration, guaranteeing himself more at bats as Spring progresses. The even better news for Johnson is that the Indians could want to carry a player like him. With the extra offense that could come from having Carlos Santana as DH, who could play every day, it will be less important than normal to have a big hitting utility man like Raburn turned into in 2013.
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