Originally Written 8/8

Fatal Flaw? - Cody Johnson, OF, ATL

Cody Johnson entered the 2008 season as a borderline top 100 overall prospect. A former first rounder by the Atlanta Braves, Johnson's 2007 line of .305/.374/.630 had the organization excited about a potential breakout at Rome in his first full season assignment.

However, Johnson has been exposed by striking out a staggering 160 times in 397 at bats. I've read Adam Dunn comparisons since Johnson does have plus power potential as shown by his team leading 20 home runs after 17 last season, but people seem to forget that Dunn's career minor league line was .304/.415/.525 with a K/BB ratio of 270/230. MUCH better than Johnson's .258/.321/.483 line and K/BB ratio of 279/70. Dunn dominated at all levels of the minor leagues and was in the bigs at 21. Johnson is 19 and struggling to adjust in low A ball.

To compare Johnson to Dunn is a disservice to Adam Dunn. The Braves can only hope Johnson can turn it around and become half the prospect Dunn was and player he is. Unfortunately, his plate discipline seems too far gone for him to ever be an elite prospect and he will need to make significant improvements to continue to be considered a prospect period. People will continue to be enamored with his size and power potential, but I won't be. No amount of power can offset upwards of 200 strikeouts per season.