BLAIR JOHNSON

3/25/84; '02 2nd; Topeka, KS (HS)
R/R; 6-4, 200

Level
W-L-Sv
G
GS
IP
H
 HR
BB
K
 BB/9 K/9 WHIP OAVG
ERA
2002 R
0-1-0
2
1
3.1
4
 0
3
4
 8.11 10.81 2.10 .286
8.10
2003 A
1-1-0
2
2
10.1
11
 0
3
7
 2.61 6.10 1.36 .282
8.71
2003 R
4-1-0
9
9
47.0
32
 2
11
42
 2.11 8.04 0.91 .188
1.34
2004 A
1-4-0
9
8
43.2
59
 7
14
22
 2.89 4.53 1.67 .331
7.83
2004 A-
6-1-0
14
14
88.2
62
 2
12
40
 1.22 4.06 0.83 .197
2.44
2005 A
1-0-0
3
3
15.2
17
0
7
6
4.02
3.45
1.53
.293
4.02
2006 A
3-4-0
9
9
43.2
49
5
11
28
2.27
5.77
1.37
.278
4.95
2006 R
0-1-0
2
2
7.2
5
0
1
8
1.17
9.40
0.78
.179
1.17
2007 A+
1-4-0
8
8
31.2
40
3
15
21
4.26
5.97
1.74
.331
6.82
2008 AA
1-0-0
7
0
9.0
16
3
4
3
4.00
5.00
2.22
.400
10.00
2008 A+
3-2-0
27
1
64.1
69
5
17
40
2.38
5.60
1.34
.274
4.06

After a very promising start, Johnson's career has hit a series of snags. He was the Pirates' 2nd round pick in 2002, after fanning 80 in 46 IP with an ERA of 0.76 in his last year in HS. He didn't pitch much after signing due to a sore shoulder. In 2003, however, he had an outstanding season, leading the GCL in ERA and posting good peripheral #s, while being named the league's 6th best prospect. He threw in the mid-90s when drafted, but the Pirates thought him to be more effective throwing around 90-92, as they believed his fastball had plenty of life and his command of it was outstanding. The team seems to say that about every pitching prospect who throws hard and they all end up with less velocity and struggling. He reportedly also threw a good curve and change, and was very effective at working inside. Unfortunately, Johnson had the same experience in 2004 as Matt Capps. He started at Hickory and got hammered in nearly every outing, with his K rate dropping sharply. The Pirates sent him back to extended spring training and then to Williamsport when its season started. He did much better there, allowing very few baserunners, but his K rate remained very low.

Johnson started 2005 back at Hickory and, after a few games, had shoulder surgery. In 2006, he surfaced in late May. He started for Hickory until mid-June and mostly struggled, then was sent to the GCL for a couple starts. He made three starts at Hickory in August, pitching very well in the last two, but didn't pitch after the 12th. In 2007, he surprisingly opened in the Lynchburg rotation. He pitched very well in his first start and had one other outstanding start, but he mostly struggled. He went on the DL in mid-May and returned for one ineffective start on Sept. 1. Johnson said in an interview that he had a great spring, but the shoulder pain reappeared and bothered him through most of his starts. It turned out he had another tear, but he decided to try to rehab it without more surgery.

Johnson managed to pitch in winter ball in Hawaii, then was assigned to Lynchburg for 2008. Other than one minor, non-arm injury he actually stayed healthy all year, which by itself made for a successful season. He pitched well early for Lynchburg but eventually tailed off and posted mediocre numbers, including a low K rate but with good control. He spent most of August in Altoona anyway and was ineffective there. Now that he's had a healthy season it's possible he'll take a large step forward next year, which is roughly what happened with Jeff Sues. He's eligible for minor league free agency, but if the Pirates were encouraged enough by his showing they may try to re-sign him.

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