Russell Johnson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #27 prospect in 2005
  Johnson's career got off to a slow start, as he pitched just once in Rookie ball in 2003 before having surgery to remove his gall bladder. He stayed back in extended spring training last year but wound up getting a taste of full-season ball at high Class A late in the season, when Lynchburg had injury problems. Johnson has good pure stuff, most notably a fastball with good late life that reaches 95 mph and he routinely throws at 92-93. He also has an outstanding curveball with a sharp downward bite. Johnson has a sturdy body, giving him the look of a durable, innings-eating starter. He needs to refine his changeup quite a bit, to give him something to keep hitters off his fastball and curve. Johnson also needs to pile up innings after missing so much time because of his gall bladder operation. He likely won't be on the fast track since he has his share of rough spots to smooth out. He'll begin this season in low Class A and doesn't figure to reach the major leagues until late 2008.