Grant Johnson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	314
ERA	4.529
WHIP	1.414
BB/9	3.611
SO/9	6.334

Full name Grant W. Johnson
Born 05/26/1983 in Kansas City, MO
Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Notre Dame
Drafted in the 2nd round (66th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2004 (signed for $1,260,000).

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Of the six players who formed the core of Notre Dame's 2001 recruiting class, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Johnson was the only one who wasn't drafted out of high school. He immediately asserted himself as the marquee player in the group with a big freshman season (9-5, 3.46) and a strong summer with Team USA. His fastball was clocked at 95 mph--and it wasn't even as good as his slider. Then Johnson had labrum surgery, missed 2003 and came back slowly this season. He had worked just46 innings this spring, though he was 5-0, 1.58. He's had no major lingering problems from the surgery, other than his velocity has ranged from 89-93 mph. He's been on a strict pitch count--50 to start, 85 in a mid-May complete-game win against Rutgers--and was limited to 10 sliders per start. Even though he's at about 80 percent, he has flashed his freshman stuff. Johnson remains the top prospect in Indiana and should go no higher than the third round. He's a real risk/reward pick, and he could be a steal if he's healthy and returns to his freshman form.

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The Cubs still haven't seen Johnson at his best since making him their top pick (second round) in 2004 and signing him for $1.26 million. He missed all of the 2003 season after surgery to repair a torn labrum, and he was getting back to 100 percent when he turned pro. He signed too late to make his pro debut in 2004, and skipped instructional league to work toward his marketing degree at Notre Dame. In 2005, a pulled quad muscle kept him in extended spring training for the first two months of last season. When Johnson finally got on the mound in June, his stuff was just OK. He showed heavy life on his fastball, but pitched anywhere from 87-93 mph after working consistently at 92-94 while in college. His slider, his money pitch before he hurt his shoulder with the Fighting Irish, was mediocre because he had trouble staying on top of it. His changeup and command didn't stand out either. Chicago hopes Johnson will be healthy and regain his old stuff this year in high Class A. His slider looked better in instructional league.
The Cubs scouted Johnson heavily as an Illinois high schooler, but backed off because of his commitment to Notre Dame. He established himself as a potential first-rounder with the Irish before tearing his labrum and missing all of 2003. After he returned to lead the Big East Conference with a 1.87 ERA in 2004, Chicago made him its top pick and signed him for $1.26 million, easily the highest bonus in the second round. Johnson consistently threw 92-94 mph last spring, showing he's fully healthy. His slider was better than his fastball before he got hurt. The Cubs rave about his mound presence as much as his stuff. Johnson pitched just 58 innings in college the last two years, then signed late and skipped instructional league to work toward his marketing degree. He needs mound time to get his old slider back and improve his changeup. Chicago won't take any chances with Johnson, so he may avoid the cold April climate in the Midwest League and start his pro career in the Florida State League. He has the makeup to handle high Class A.