While the transition from Japan to the major leagues continues in Kenji Johjima’s third year in the U.S., the expectations are considerable.
“I think Kenji is knocking on the door to All-Star status in our league,” manager John McLaren said.
Johjima has a better feel for his own pitching staff and the league in general, and his technique behind the plate has improved. Along with backup Jamie Burke, the Mariners have more faith in their catching tandem now than any year since Dan Wilson retired in 2005.
Here’s a look at the Mariners’ catching:
Kenji Johjima
Despite two full seasons to become accustomed to the major leagues, the education continues for Johjima. He worked hard at spring training on pitch calling, receiving the ball, throwing and blocking.
“We’re trying to help him any way we can to smooth his game out,” McLaren said. “Receiving the ball, calling a game, we want to take that a little bit further down the line. He’s very open about it. He’s a veteran player but he wants to learn.”
Johjima made big strides last year with his throwing, although h still drops his arm at times, causing the ball to tail, He releases the ball quickly and threw out 37.8 percent of base stealers last year, the third-best percentage in the American League.
“He’s got leadership qualities, he plays the game with passion, he’s got heart and he’s a hard-nosed guy,” McLaren said. “I think he’s knocking on the door to being one of the best in the league.”
Jamie Burke
Burke, 36, made a major league opening-day roster last year for the first time in his career. He gave the Mariners a stable backup who worked so well with pitchers that some of them specifically asked for him to catch them.
Burke ranked fifth among American League catchers with at least 30 starts with a 3.51 catchers ERA. Offensively, he produced a .301 average in 113 at-bats and, on the final day of the season, hit his first major league home run.
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