The Red Sox have lefty pitching prospect Brian Johnson, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports (Twitter links). Johnson’s role this weekend is uncertain, MacPherson writes, although he’s likely to join the Red Sox’ rotation after the All-Star break. Eduardo Rodriguez and Wade Miley are scheduled to start Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Clay Buchholz left last night’s start with an elbow injury. Whether or not Buchholz needs to be placed on the disabled list, Johnson appears to be a reasonable choice to try to stabilize a shaky Sox rotation.
Baseball America ranked Johnson the No. 82 prospect in baseball heading into the season. MLB.com, meanwhile, currently ranks Johnson the No. 90 prospect in the game, noting that Johnson throws 88-94 MPH but with good sinking action, strong secondary pitches and a good feel for pitching.
Johnson, 24, excelled at Double-A Portland last season and has continued to make progress this year at Triple-A Pawtucket, posting a 2.73 ERA, 8.5 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 85 2/3 innings. He was the No. 31 overall pick in the draft out of the University of Florida in 2012.
I’m glad to see him, and hopefully he can anchor the 5th spot in the rotation after the All Star Break.
It’s about time.. Hope a DFA of Masterson, or Breslow happens anytime to follow.
It’s got to be Aro or Noe Ramirez.
Guess not.
True. Did not see Hinojosa coming. Not with all the money they invested.
I guess we’ll answer the ultimate question. How many LHP’s in the starting rotation is too many?
If only the Blue Jays didn’t destroy left-handed pitching….
Mostly my issue with this. They could always use Masterson or Wright on occasion to spell the lefties in the starting rotation against the Jays. Although if Johnson has the kind of pitching acumen he’s supposed to he could probably pitch against the Jays without getting totally shellacked. Three lefties would be a huge advantage against the Yankees but a detriment against pretty much everyone else.
I am glad to see him up, but this is stupid timing. We didnt need him for another week or 2
The only though is, they’re trying to get him used to the club house, how things work and get the jitters out of his system before he has to start. It makes sense on that level. They may use him out of the pen before the break too.
After Johnson and Henry Owens, who’s the next potential pitching prospect? Seems like a year or so ago, they had a huge list, but naturally that included Ranaudo, who’s gone and , later on, Rodriguez. Is anyone left who has real major league potential?
Trey ball, couple interesting international guys way down the line.
No one really close. But seriously how many ML ready starters do most systems churn out in a year. Isn’t three enough?
Afters all these call-ups, the system is really bottom-heavy in that a lot of the talent is in the lower minors. As for pitchers with MLB potential, there are a few that, like I said, are quite a ways away. That would include Trey Ball, Michael Kopech, and Anderson Espinoza. Just go on the Sox Prospects website (I hope I can say that on here) if you want to learn more about their system. Margot is likely the next major call-up after Owens graduates, but he realistically isn’t gonna be seen until 2017.
Anderson Espinosa. 17 and throwing 99.
Kopech the same, has also hit 100 a few times at Greenville according to one BA article on him.
Think those 2 are the best high end starters they have and then Buttrey and Ball also at least a couple years away.
One thing is for sure.. After Henry Owens? The next guy is at LEAST 2 years away from arriving via the farm starter wise.
I really hope Johnson will be as nice a pleasant surprise as Rodriguez. Will be a well deserved slap in the face for the FO.
Not that he’s anywhere near ready but Keith Couch is very much a pitcher that can keep the opposition off balance.
There are a couple of others at A Greenville and A + Salem.