James Johnson has been quietly going about his business for the past five seasons in the Orioles? system, and is now knocking on the door of opportunity.
Johnson?s ascent may not be as well-documented to Orioles fans as his former teammates Adam Loewen and Hayden Penn, but the organization knows exactly where the 6-foot-5 right-hander stands.
Johnson, who is 5-3 with an ERA of 4.23 for Double-A Bowie, is slated to start tonight at Trenton against the Yankees? affiliate.
“I think he has every chance to be very good in the major leagues. I think he?s on track and on schedule to be very good,” said Dave Stockstill, the Orioles Director of Minor League Operations.
This season, the Orioles have reached out to the minor leagues for some pitching help, recalling the likes of Johnson?s former teammates Loewen, Chris Britton and Kurt Birkins.
Johnson is right on the brink after a strong 2005 campaign in which he went 12-9 with a 3.49 ERA for Frederick before making one start with Bowie. For his success, Johnson was awarded the Jim Palmer Prize as the Orioles? top minor league pitcher.
This season, Johnson has hit a few rough spots, and has lost the touch on his changeup.
“The changeup has been a work in progress this year,” Johnson said. “It?s kind of frustrating because it was one of my better pitches in previous years. This year it just needs some extra work.”
Bowie manager Don Werner noticed the issue as well.
“It looks like he?s lost the touch,” said Werner, who noted that Johnson used to be comfortable throwing his changeup in any count. “Now I don?t think he has the confidence in it. It?s such a touch pitch, and I think it will come back.”
With some more polish, Johnson, who is on the Orioles? 40-man roster, has his sights set on a call-up in September with continuously steady performances.
Werner found something in Johnson that could separate him from his Double-A counterparts.
“He?s a worker,” Werner said. “He?s the kind of guy who figures out how to win; if he doesn?t have his changeup, if doesn?t have his fastball, he figures out something that will work.”
THE JOHNSON FILE
Age: 22
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Height: 6-feet-5
Hometown: Endicott, N.Y.
Did you know? Johnson throws four-seam and a two-seam fastballs to go along with a curveball and a changeup … Werner noted that Johnson is also working on a cutter ? Johnson, pitchers Brian Finch and Marino Salas, as well as outfielder Jeff Fiorentino, are all on the 40-man roster ? Johnson goes by Jim and J.J.
