The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed left handed pitcher Kris Johnson to a minor league deal, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. Johnson turned 27 in October, and has spent his entire career in the Boston minor league system. The former first round pick has spent parts of the previous three years at the AAA level, combining for a 6.09 ERA in 249.2 innings, with a 5.6 K/9, a 3.7 BB/9, and a 1.1 HR/9 ratio. Johnson was released last May after struggling at the AAA level with an ERA over 12. According to his Sox Prospects profile, he throws a 90-94 MPH fastball, a hard curveball, and a very good changeup, although he lacks consistency, especially in jams.
Pirates Sign Kris Johnson
Tags: Kris Johnson
About Tim Williams
Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim moved to Bradenton in 2013, and will be providing live coverage all year of the Bradenton Marauders, GCL Pirates, instructs, mini camp, Spring Training, and lunches at Mixon's Fruit Farms.
