Getting to know Mets utility man Kelly Johnson

While Kelly Johnson doesn't have quite as many major league seasons under his belt as Juan Uribe, he made his major league debut ten years ago and has spent time with several teams along the way. Drafted in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft by the Braves, Johnson worked his way up the organization's minor league system and made his major league debut with the team.

Johnson's rookie campaign went well enough, as he hit .241/.334/.397 with 9 home runs and a 95 wRC+ in 334 plate appearances for Atlanta. But he missed the entire 2006 because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He rejoined the Braves in 2007, though, and for two seasons, he hit comfortably above league average. His production dipped in 2009, however, and when he hit free agency following that season, he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He had the best season of his career as a hitter with the team in 2010, as he hit .284/.370/.496 with 26 home runs and a 129 wRC+.

Since then, he's hit below league average in three seasons and above it in two, including this year. The Diamondbacks traded him to the Blue Jays on August 23, 2011, in a deal that brought back Aaron Hill. Johnson re-upped with the Blue Jays for the 2012 season before signing a deal with the Rays for the 2013 season. He played the entire season there before completing his American League East tour in 2014. Johnson signed with the Yankees in the offseason, was dealt to the Red Sox for Stephen Drew at the trade deadline. Boston then dealt him to the Orioles in late August.

A free agent once against last winter, Johnson returned to the Braves on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. In 197 plate appearances this year, he has hit .275/.321/.451 with 9 home runs and a 113 wRC+. The on-base percentage isn't stellar, but the slugging percentage is pretty good in 2015 and a welcome addition to the Mets' struggling lineup.

Early in his career, Johnson primarily played second base, though he saw a little time in the outfield, too. As the years have gone by, he's logged most of his innings in left field and at first and third base. A left-handed hitter, he doesn't have notable splits over the course of his career. He's hit .273/.334/.433 with a 105 wRC+ against lefties and .244/.331/.421 with a 102 wRC+ against righties.