10/9/09

The Keepers - #61 - RP - Jimmy Johnson




61. Jimmy Johnson – RP – A/A+ -


Johnson was drafted in the 28th round of the 2008 draft by the New York Mets.



From Biola U.:


Biola left-handed pitcher Jimmy Johnson has been selected by the New York Mets in the 28th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft held on Thursday and Friday. Johnson, who completed his senior season this last year, was the lone Eagle selected in the draft this season and the first since the 2006 draft. Johnson wrapped up his 2008 campaign with a 9-3 record and a 4.80 ERA. He posted 83 strikeouts to just 25 walks in 99.1 innings pitched for the Eagles. Johnson's best performance of the season came in a home start against Concordia University in which he did not allow a hit until there were two-outs in the ninth. Biola won the game 9-0. Johnson spent five years with Biola including a medical red-shirt season in his second year. He wraps up his career with a 23-11 record, a 4.56 ERA and 228 strikeouts.



In 2008, Johnson pitched for Brooklyn, going 5-0, 1.25, in 23 relief appearances. He also struck out 41 batters in 36.0 innings.



In September 2008, Patrick Hickey wrote on: - Jimmy Johnson- No one expected this guy to be half as good as he eventually turned out to be. A solid assortment of pitches, combined with solid command made him the king of the ‘Clones bullpen. How he’ll fare at higher levels is hard to determine, but you have to like the way he’s pitched in clutch situations this season. Things like that you just can’t teach. - Final Grade-A+



2009 brought 25 appearances in Savannah (1-1, 1.09) and 2 more at St. Lucie (1-1, 4.26).
Johnson’s combined two year professional record is: 7-2, 1.84, 60 appearances, 88-K, 88.0-IP.


Forecast: What more can you ask of a 28th rounder than averaging one strikeout per inning and an ERA under two? Johnson showed his human side in St. Lucie this past season, but he’s easily one of the bright sots in the Mets minor league pen. I expect him back with St. Lucie to start the 2010 season, but you may see him assigned to Binghamton.

1 comment:

Wally said...

Mack, I enjoyed watching Jimmy Johnson pitching out of the bull pen for the Sand Gnats this year. He had excellent control.In 33 innings pitched, he gave up one home run. Hope he continues to pitch well next year.