So there are actually a number of differences between Adam Moore and Rob Johnson. Johnson, for example, has a better idea of the strike zone. Moore was born in Texas, while Johnson was born in Montana. Moore doesn't make us want to slam our throats in a car door, while Johnson makes us want to slam our throats in a car door. The title of this post is very misleading.
Still, in keeping with the point, I'd like to mention that Adam Moore's home run off Dallas Braden yesterday had a measured distance of 441 feet, making it the third-longest Mariner home run of the season.
We've heard from some scouts that Moore has surprising power, and while that has yet to translate with any consistency to the Major Leagues, last night was one example. He's a strong guy, and he can hit with impressive pop when he pulls the ball to left field. That's something you can't really say about Johnson, and the difference becomes apparent when you look at how they've done against upper-level competition (AA, AAA, bigs):
Moore: 12.0 plate appearances per extra-base hit, 38.2 PA/homer
Johnson: 14.4 plate appearances per extra-base hit, 75.9 PA/homer
Neither of these two guys is hot stuff when it comes to blocking the ball. They both have decent arms. Johnson has slightly better plate discipline, and makes more contact, while being only a ~year older. Based on those things, you'd think Johnson's the better bet going forward. But Moore has the stronger bat - by a considerable margin - and it's that ability to hit the ball a long way every so often that makes him the more interesting player, with more interesting upside.
Rob Johnson is a known entity. Rob Johnson is what he is, and he doesn't have much further to develop. Adam Moore has promise. He flails a lot, and he misses a lot, but as frustrating as that can be to watch, try to remember that you're not just watching a taller, hackier version of the other guy that nobody likes. Moore's a different player, and if he can hit for the power he's shown himself to have, he'll be a better one.
0 recs | 27 comments
Hard to believe that Johnson is the younger of the two.
Just because he’s been floating around up here for so long.
Thingray - September 8, 2010
It's because he's not. Adam Moore is a little less than 2 years younger.
CapSea - September 8, 2010
Whoopsadoodle
Jeff Sullivan - September 8, 2010
That makes more sense then.
Thingray - September 8, 2010
I'd like to see Adam Moore aim his homeruns a bit more to the left and a little bit less towards the left center death area
Dewey N - September 8, 2010
As he gets more experience against Major League pitching, he might do just that
A split second delay in swinging at a pitch is all that difference is. Once he gets more familiar at this level, he may be able to crank those pitches to left with more regularity.
nathaniel dawson - September 8, 2010
Can we not bring up the whole Johnson being Montanan thing?
I speak for many other MT Mariner fans when I say we want to claim him as our native son about as much as us Montanans want to claim Ryan Leaf as our own.
SethGrandpa - September 8, 2010
That is harsh. Johnson may be bad at his job, but he is no Ryan Leaf.
Sec 108 - September 8, 2010
Don't forget he is from Butte.
I lived in Butte for a year. Most people from Montana do not recognize Butte as part of Montana. They say the best thing about Butte is that it is close to Montana. Also people from Butte do not claim they are from Montana. They call their city Butte, America. Their biggest tourist attraction is the Berkeley Pit, one of the biggest Superfund sites in the country. I am sure Butte is proud of Rob Johnson.
Droid Rage - September 8, 2010
He's from Anaconda.
Close, but not technically accurate.
JY - September 8, 2010
Anaconda is also way prettier than Butte ugly.
wazzu93 - September 8, 2010
Looks like you are correct.
In my defense, the authors of the Butte page on Wikipedia claim him as a native son. The Rob Johnson Wiki page lists him as being born in Anaconda, west of Butte, and playing Little League in Whitehall, east of Butte. I guess his Butte residency is kind of like the phantom double play.
Droid Rage - September 8, 2010
He went to High School in Butte.
BigR - September 8, 2010
When I went to see the M's play in Milwaukee in June, I was confronted by a man from Montana.
He saw my M’s jersey and was like, “Oh hey there! We’re from Montana and we’re really excited to Bobby Johnson play! He’s from our hometown!”
I was very puzzled at first, then sputtered out, “Oh, Rob Johnson?”
He said, “Yeah, back home we called him Bobby!”
I resisted the heavy urge to make disparaging comments about “Bobby” Johnson and just left him with a tepid, “Right on, man. Go M’s…….”
Moral of story: At least one person from Montana is proud of Rob Johnson.
sanford_and_son - September 9, 2010
Would it be fair to say
that either of these players should be expected to be around 1-2 WAR?
Edgar for Pres - September 8, 2010
Depends on what you think about their defense.
ZiPS from Fangraphs projects both to be in the .290s in wOBA for the rest of the season (Johnson at .299 and Moore at .292).
Yadier Molina is +4 in Defensive Runs and at .291 wOBA for the year and is at 1.9 WAR according to Fangraphs.
CMC_Stags - September 8, 2010
I feel like either of them could exceed .300-.315 wOBA but maybe I just don't understand how they did so badly this year
Edgar for Pres - September 8, 2010
The dreaded high five/fist bump disconnect
Ah, whiteness.
lemonverbena - September 8, 2010
At least he went with the high five.
You can high five a fist bump and not feel like you screwed something up. But it’s not true when you fist bump a high five.
d0nkey - September 8, 2010
How is Montana any different than Texas?
I always thought Montana was just a colder version of Texas.
nathaniel dawson - September 8, 2010
Choke on your dinner and die.
BigR - September 8, 2010
Wrong
Montana is a bigger version of Idaho.
lemonverbena - September 8, 2010
Nevada has the highest percentage of land owned by the federal government.
Thingray - September 8, 2010
BLM!
BigR - September 8, 2010
One guess who was watching "The States" marathon last night.
Thingray - September 8, 2010
I DID!
I was watching it as I fell asleep on the couch. Did you know that Indiana was once considered the wild west?
nathaniel dawson - September 8, 2010
That's messed up man.
Montana is beautiful.
sanford_and_son - September 9, 2010
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