http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/12/winter-leagues-recap-johnson-pitches-team-to-playoffs.html Mon, 20 May 2013 05:28:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/12/winter-leagues-recap-johnson-pitches-team-to-playoffs.html#comment-23237 John Dreker Sun, 23 Dec 2012 22:59:17 +0000 http://www.piratesprospects.com/?p=45194#comment-23237 I think he has probably opened some eyes, and it was a good sign that the Pirates resigned him right away as a minor league free agent. I would say it is likely he is low on the depth chart, but should have a bigger role than last year when he was bounced around between starting/reliever and Altoona/Indy.
The lineup he faced last night had Alexi Casilla, Wilson Valdez, Carlos Peguero, Moises Sierra and Nelson Cruz in it, all current major leaguers. Also former Pirates catcher Robinzon Diaz and Rhyne Hughes, who played for the 2010 Orioles, were there.
So he faced a lineup with five current major leaguers and two recent former players. He did not beat up on a weak off-season lineup. Add in the playoff atmosphere and he pitched a huge game last night.

]]> http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/12/winter-leagues-recap-johnson-pitches-team-to-playoffs.html#comment-23236 rburgh Sun, 23 Dec 2012 21:56:31 +0000 http://www.piratesprospects.com/?p=45194#comment-23236 Do you think Kris has a shot at the ML club next year? His performance in the DWL has to be a huge boost in confidence – maybe he has learned to trust his stuff. I realize this league is somewhere between AA and AAA but there are ML bats in there too.

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