Kevin Johnson
| IP | 324 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.833 |
| WHIP | 1.478 |
| BB/9 | 3.167 |
| SO/9 | 5.556 |
- Full name Kevin Johnson
- Born 08/19/1988 in Pensacola, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 240 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School West Florida
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Drafted in the 20th round (624th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2010.
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Johnson didn't wait to get drafted to become a pro. He signed with his hometown Pensacola Pelicans (of the independent American Association) and pitched a pair of games before the draft. Although he was hit around to the tune of a 22.50 ERA in Pensacola, Johnson has had a long stretch of success in his amateur career. He holds the Florida state records for single-season (0.34) and career (0.77) ERA at Pensacola's West Florida HS. He then went on to succeed at Division II West Florida College, where he set a conference record for most pitcher of the week awards, a record he shares with Cubs' 2010 first-round pick Hayden Simpson. Johnson's bread-and-butter pitch is an 88-89 mph fastball that touches 91 mph with good sink. His slider also shows some potential. But Johnson will have to repeat his delivery more consistently as a pro--he varies his arm angles between pitches and struggles to maintain a consistent stride in his delivery.
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Johnson went undrafted out of high school, two years at Alabama Southern CC and after his first year at NCAA Division II West Florida. After his senior season ended, he pitched two games with the independent Pensacola Pelicans (American Association) before the Angels took him in the 20th round of the 2010 draft and signed him for $2,000. He reached Triple-A two years later and is on track to possibly make his major league debut in 2013. Johnson succeeded in college with a high-80s sinker that touched 91 mph, but he has added velocity in pro ball. His fastball now ranges anywhere from 88-96 mph and still features the heavy sink that results in an abundance of groundballs. He mostly gets by on one pitch, as his slider is a fringy offering without much depth. He averaged just 4.4 strikeouts per nine innings last season, so the development of his slider will be key. He has a lot of effort in his delivery, but he still throws plenty of strikes. If he can find a way to miss a few more bats, he could earn a middle-relief job with the Angels.
