Blair Johnson
| IP | 306 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.824 |
| WHIP | 1.389 |
| BB/9 | 2.765 |
| SO/9 | 6.147 |
- Full name Blair Davis Johnson
- Born 03/25/1984 in Topeka, KS
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Washburn Rural
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Drafted in the 2nd round (42nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2002 (signed for $885,000).
View Draft Report
After throwing in the upper 80s and lower 90s last summer, Johnson took his fastball up another notch this spring and blew past Pelfrey as a potential first-rounder. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Johnson should pick up more velocity as he fills out, and he gets heavy sink on his fastball. He has a sound delivery and repeats it well, though his secondary pitches will need refinement. The cornerstone of a strong Nebraska recruiting class, Johnson has improved so much that it's unlikely the pros will let him get away.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Pirates drafted Johnson as a raw high school pitcher, and he may have been more raw than they thought. He began last season in low Class A but was sent back to extended spring training after allowing four earned runs or more in six of his nine starts. Johnson finished strong at Williamsport, winning his last six decisions in eight starts. He has a big, athletic body and easily throws his sinking fastball at 94-95 mph, and he could add velocity once his body fills out. He showed a good slider in high school, though he hasn't used it as a pro because the Pirates have wanted him to develop his fastball and curveball. Johnson doesn't strike out as many hitters as he should with his lively fastball, which is cause for concern. He struggles to command his curveball and needs to develop better poise and presence on the mound. He'll get another shot at full-season ball at Hickory this season, and how he handles it will be telling. He remains a project whose raw ability makes him intriguing. -
After getting Bryan Bullington, the Pirates used the first pick of the second round of the 2002 draft to take Johnson, a raw high school pitcher from Kansas. He pitched two innings that summer because of a sore shoulder. He started 2003 in extended spring training before breaking through in his second Rookie-level Gulf Coast League season. Johnson's fastball reaches 95 mph but shows more movement when he dials it down to 91-92. He complements his heater with a good curveball and a changeup that improved markedly in 2003. He likes to challenge hitters inside. Johnson needs to be more consistent with the arm speed of his changeup. He got hit hard in the South Atlantic League playoffs after moving up to low Class A, a sign he needs more innings against better competition. Johnson has the makings of a top-of-the-rotation starter. He's still young, and the Pirates aren't likely to rush him with plenty of other pitching prospects in the system. Look for Johnson to return to Hickory in 2004 and arrive in Pittsburgh in 2007. -
Johnson was a relative unknown until having a big summer following his junior year of high school. He continued to improve as a senior, and by the time the 2002 draft rolled around, he was known by all the clubs and selected by the Pirates with the first pick of the second round. He signed for $885,000, then was limited to just three innings by a tender shoulder. Johnson has a power arm and routinely reaches 95 mph with his fastball. He also has an above-average curveball and a changeup that has the makings of being a solid third pitch. Johnson basically had a lost summer last year, missing out on valuable experience. He needs innings as he's still raw in some of the finer points of the games, such as learning to work hitters. While Johnson's shoulder woes aren't considered serious, they do raise a red flag and the Pirates will take it slow with him. He probably will repeat Rookie ball this year before pitching in a full-season league in 2004.
Minor League Top Prospects
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After struggling in the South Atlantic League to start the year, Johnson regained his confidence in the NY-P. He showed better command and a greater willingness to challenge hitters with his 90-92 mph fastball. Johnson can reach 95 mph, but when he overthrows he sacrifices his control and movement. His slider has the potential to become a plus pitch, and he's working on a changeup. League hitters batted just .193 against him, but he didn't miss many bats with 40 strikeouts in 89 innings. -
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Johnson was a second-round pick of the Pirates in the 2002 draft and made two brief appearances in the GCL year ago. Just a thrower then, he was a much more complete pitcher his second time around and led the league in ERA. "His improvement was night and day," Huyke said. "His fastball showed a lot more life and he had much better control of it. His change and curve were also solid pitches." Johnson's fastball touched 94 mph and he usually threw it in the 90-92 range. It was effective at the slower velocity because he moved the ball around the strike zone like a veteran. He was particularly effective working inside on hitters. "He really knows how to pitch and showed great mound presence for this league," Bushong said. "He moved his fastball around effectively and showed great location with his breaking ball."
