Josh Johnson under the Radar, but a World Class Pitcher
When you’re talking about the best pitchers in baseball, it’s easy to neglect Josh Johnson. Johnson may be the most underrated pitcher in the game, even though he may be the best.
Though Ubaldo Jimenez was chosen to start the All-Star Game for the National League and Roy Halladay threw a perfect game earlier this year, Johnson has out-pitched both in 2010.
Johnson’s dominance reflects his figure at 6 foot 7, which gives him an advantage, as his cutters and fastballs arrive at the plate at a bizarre angle, making hitters’ lives difficult.
"It seems like he's standing right on top of you," Atlanta catcher Brian McCann said. "He's such a big presence. He paints [the strike zone] and throws a 96 mph cutter. To me, he's the best."
Johnson’s stats speak for themselves. He has the lowest ERA in baseball at 1.62 and is 10-3 playing for a mediocre Florida Marlins team.
Johnson was overlooked in the 2002 draft, but the Marlins took him in the fourth round, which has proven to be a steal. Johnson only took three years to become a starter, and by 2006, he was in the top rotation. Unfortunately, he began experiencing arm and shoulder problems that season.
The next season was a tough one for Johnson as his arm problems bothered him all year. He was sent to noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, and underwent Tommy John surgery, (known medically as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction) inhibiting his progress as a pitcher.
Following the surgery, it took Johnson three months before he even picked up a ball again.
As he recovered, Johnson wondered whether he’d ever pitch again. At this time, his wife Heidi gave birth to the couple’s son, Cash, as the pitcher began to think about what he could do besides baseball. He searched for ways to make a living, but fate was on his side.
Johnson’s first step back came in 2008 during Spring Training when he made his first throw post-surgery. He threw a ten footer to the team’s rehabilitation coordinator and felt a sharp pain in his elbow. He didn’t want to throw another, but he didn’t give up.
Through agony, Johnson kept throwing and then heard something pop in his elbow. Unlike the pop he felt from injury though, this pop felt good, kind of like a release. It turned out the pop was the scar tissue breaking up. That began his process of throwing pain-free. He has also thrown even harder than before the surgery.
Johnson made his full return to the Marlins by the end of 2008, and by 2009 he emerged as one of the game’s best. His throwing speed average improved from 93.mph in 2007 to 94.9 mph.
So in the end, the injury proved to be one of the best things that ever happened to Johnson: "It was, a little bit of a blessing," he said.
This year has been Johnson’s best yet. Johnson faced Halladay twice and he won once. In his loss, he allowed just one unearned run in seven innings, but still took the loss thanks to Halladay’s perfect game. Johnson hasn't allowed more than two runs in a game since May 8th.
There’s no doubt that Johnson is overlooked and doesn’t nearly get the fame that he deserves, but that’s okay with him: "I don't need the fame," Johnson said. "I'm a country boy from Oklahoma that wants to be low key."
Johnson may not have started the All-Star Game, but his two-inning appearance was impressive. He allowed no runs and became only the third man to ever strike out Ichiro Suzuki in an All-Star game, grabbing the attention of the Japanese media.
It really is a shame that the ace is overlooked as he has not yet gotten the opportunity to pitch in the playoffs. That is really how pitchers become big names in the league and sadly, Johnson may never receive the fame and acknowledgement that he deserves until the Marlins return to the playoffs. Hopefully, Johnson will get his day soon.
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