Andrew Johnston

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #29 prospect in 2007
  After tying a Pioneer League saves record in his debut, Johnston had a difficult 2006, but he impressed the Rockies with his mental toughness. First, his season was delayed because of the death of his mother, who suffered from cancer. He wound up in extended spring training and didn't join Asheville until mid-May. Then, in his first two appearances, he gave up game-deciding home runs. Johnston, however, bounced back strong, and finished second in the South Atlantic League in saves while giving up just two more homers the rest of the year. Johnston comes at hitters with a three-quarter delivery, adding some deception to a heavy sinking fastball that is consistently clocked at 92-93 mph. His slider can be a decent pitch, but he still leaves it over the plate too often. He doesn't have an offspeed pitch, but gets so many groundballs with his sinker (81-27 ground-fly ratio), he may not need one. He's a consistent strike-thrower and isn't afraid to pitch inside to righthanders. He's a good athlete, who can field his position, limiting opponents ability to bunt on him. Filling in for the injured Shane Lindsay, Johnston made up for lost time with a stint in Hawaii Winter Baseball and dominated, throwing 19 innings without giving up a home run or walk. He did give up two runs in the league championship game, though. Johnston has enough fastball command to handle a jump to Double-A.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #23 prospect in 2006
  Johnston's sterling relief work helped Missouri to its best season since 1996 and continued after he signed for $72,500 as a ninth-round pick. He tied a Pioneer League record with 18 saves last summer while posting a 1.06 ERA. Johnston operated primarily with one pitch, but it's a nasty one: a power 92-94 mph sinker that's tough to pick up from his low threequarters arm slot. He's a groundball machine who didn't allow a homer and had a 3.8 groundball/flyball ratio in his pro debut. He has a resilient arm that can handle multiple innings or appearances on consecutive days. Johnston backs up his sinker with a slider and changeup, but neither is trustworthy because he struggles to stay on top of them. He'll continue to develop in the minors as a closer, but he'll likely fit in as a middle reliever at the big league level. He'll jump to one of Colorado's Class A affiliates in 2006.