Randy Johnson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #2 prospect in 1989
  At 6-foot-10, Johnson became the tallest pitcher in big league history last September, and showed enough that he will have to pitch himself out of the rotation this spring. Johnson’s overpowering fastball and hard slider have given him an average of 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings in his four-year career. But consistency didn’t come until last season, when he averaged 5.7 walks per nine innings, compared to 8.2 previously. If he develops a changeup, he has an all-star future. Lefthanded hitters already dread facing him. One concern is Johnson’s ability to handle frustration. He missed a month last season because he broke his right hand slugging a dugout wall.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #1 prospect in 1988
  Johnson's fastball registers on the (slow) Ray Gun at 95 mph and his size puts him about a foot closer to the plate than most pitchers when he releases the ball. Johnson also throws a hard slider but needs to develop an offspeed pitch. He limited Double-A hitters to a .204 batting average, which is minuscule for a starting pitcher. Being 6-foot-10 makes it difficult to maintain a consistent delivery. Johnson has improved, though a 130-pitch limit last season kept him from working a complete game. Control problems were blamed for his second-half slump, when he lost seven of his last 11 decisions and his ERA rose from 2.51 to 3.73. Some scouts say Johnson’s future is in short relief, though the Expos are not ready to consider that option.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #3 prospect in 1987
  Signed out of Southern California as a second-round draft choice in 1985, Johnson has the best fastball in the organization, consistently registering in the mid-90s. Once he was able to maintain a stable delivery, Johnson’s control improved considerably last season at high Class A West Palm Beach (8-7, 3.16, 94 walks and 133 strikeouts in 120 innings). Working with only one dominant pitch, he limited hitters to a .211 average. Johnson spent the fall in instructional league working to develop a slider and changeup. The Expos saw enough progress that he will advance to Double-A next season as a starter, but his eventual role might be in short relief.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked National League #3 prospect in 1988
  The 6-foot-10 former University of Southern California pitcher has a fastball that peaks at 98 mph. He also seems to be conquering his control problems at Indianapolis, though he had to sit out six weeks with a self-inflicted hand injury. “Down the road, he’ll be a good, solid major league pitcher,” said Indianapolis manager Joe Sparks. “He has made great strides mentally and is gaining confidence.”
• 
  Ranked Southern League #2 prospect in 1987
  Johnson, 24, was 11-8 with a 3.78 ERA for Jacksonville and led the league in strikeouts with 163, utilizing a fastball consistently clocked in the 90s. But at 6-foot-10, he had problems with his control, 128 walks in 140 innings pitched. “Has more potential than any pitcher in the league,” Birmingham manager Rico Petrocelli said. “Has control problems, but can throw 93-plus (mph) on the fastball. Is a good competitor. It will take time before he puts it all together, but he can be a real good one. He’ll either be a great one or one that will just never put it together--no in-between.”
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #3 prospect in 1986
  A 6-foot-10 lefthander who has had his fastball clocked as high as 97 mph, Johnson is expected to move up fast in the Expos' system. West Palm Beach pitching coach Bud Yanus said Johnson, drafted in the second round a year ago out of Southern California, could be in the big leagues inside of two years. “He’s got a very good fastball and as long as he stays healthy, he’s got a real good chance.” Johnson’s biggest obstacle has been his control. He struck out 133 in 119 innings, but allowed 94 walks. But Yanus and Johnson both said that improved mechanics led to better control before the end of the season. “He used to walk himself right out of games,” Expos manager Felipe Alou said. “Now that he has better control he’s doing really well.”

• December, 1988 Scouting Report
  At 6-foot-10, Johnson became the tallest pitcher in big league history last September, and showed enough that he will have to pitch himself out of the rotation this spring. Johnson’s overpowering fastball and hard slider have given him an average of 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings in his four-year career. But consistency didn’t come until last season, when he averaged 5.7 walks per nine innings, compared to 8.2 previously. If he develops a changeup, he has an all-star future. Lefthanded hitters already dread facing him. One concern is Johnson’s ability to handle frustration. He missed a month last season because he broke his right hand slugging a dugout wall.
• December, 1987 Scouting Report
  Johnson's fastball registers on the (slow) Ray Gun at 95 mph and his size puts him about a foot closer to the plate than most pitchers when he releases the ball. Johnson also throws a hard slider but needs to develop an offspeed pitch. He limited Double-A hitters to a .204 batting average, which is minuscule for a starting pitcher. Being 6-foot-10 makes it difficult to maintain a consistent delivery. Johnson has improved, though a 130-pitch limit last season kept him from working a complete game. Control problems were blamed for his second-half slump, when he lost seven of his last 11 decisions and his ERA rose from 2.51 to 3.73. Some scouts say Johnson’s future is in short relief, though the Expos are not ready to consider that option.
• December, 1987 Scouting Report
  The 6-foot-10 former University of Southern California pitcher has a fastball that peaks at 98 mph. He also seems to be conquering his control problems at Indianapolis, though he had to sit out six weeks with a self-inflicted hand injury. “Down the road, he’ll be a good, solid major league pitcher,” said Indianapolis manager Joe Sparks. “He has made great strides mentally and is gaining confidence.”
• December, 1986 Scouting Report
  Signed out of Southern California as a second-round draft choice in 1985, Johnson has the best fastball in the organization, consistently registering in the mid-90s. Once he was able to maintain a stable delivery, Johnson’s control improved considerably last season at high Class A West Palm Beach (8-7, 3.16, 94 walks and 133 strikeouts in 120 innings). Working with only one dominant pitch, he limited hitters to a .211 average. Johnson spent the fall in instructional league working to develop a slider and changeup. The Expos saw enough progress that he will advance to Double-A next season as a starter, but his eventual role might be in short relief.
• December, 1986 Scouting Report
  Johnson, 24, was 11-8 with a 3.78 ERA for Jacksonville and led the league in strikeouts with 163, utilizing a fastball consistently clocked in the 90s. But at 6-foot-10, he had problems with his control, 128 walks in 140 innings pitched. “Has more potential than any pitcher in the league,” Birmingham manager Rico Petrocelli said. “Has control problems, but can throw 93-plus (mph) on the fastball. Is a good competitor. It will take time before he puts it all together, but he can be a real good one. He’ll either be a great one or one that will just never put it together--no in-between.”
• December, 1985 Scouting Report
  A 6-foot-10 lefthander who has had his fastball clocked as high as 97 mph, Johnson is expected to move up fast in the Expos' system. West Palm Beach pitching coach Bud Yanus said Johnson, drafted in the second round a year ago out of Southern California, could be in the big leagues inside of two years. “He’s got a very good fastball and as long as he stays healthy, he’s got a real good chance.” Johnson’s biggest obstacle has been his control. He struck out 133 in 119 innings, but allowed 94 walks. But Yanus and Johnson both said that improved mechanics led to better control before the end of the season. “He used to walk himself right out of games,” Expos manager Felipe Alou said. “Now that he has better control he’s doing really well.”