Erik Johnson hoping to show White Sox he has the right stuff
When Erik Johnson takes the mound for the Chicago White Sox on Friday night, he will have a two-prong plan.
The first is pitching well and helping the Sox beat the Minnesota Twins.
The second is making a good impression for 2016.
"That's the goal," Johnson said. "That's what I'm playing for. I want to play here and I want to pitch in the big leagues."
Johnson was saying similar things two years ago when he joined the White Sox in September after a successful season with Class AAA Charlotte. The right-hander made the most of the audition, going 3-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 5 starts.
The immediate success vaulted Johnson into the Sox' rotation at the start of last season, but he wasn't the same pitcher.
The right-hander went 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA in 5 starts before optioned back to Charlotte, where he was even worse (5-7, 6.73 ERA in 20 starts).
"Physically, it wasn't anything like an injury or anything," said Johnson, who did miss the final two weeks of the Triple-A season with right-shoulder inflammation. "It was an inefficiency in my movements throughout my mechanics and that's what I really honed in on during the off-season, cleaning it up and doing what I needed to do to be consistent and be on time with my arm path and my body."
Johnson's work after the disappointing 2014 season immediately paid off. In 22 starts with Charlotte this year, he was 11-8 with a 2.37 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 132⅔ innings while winning International League most valuable pitcher honors.
"I just kind of shaped a routine around what it takes me to be consistently the same guy every time I go out there," Johnson said. "Just learning myself, learning my arm path, just honing in on my mechanics and what I need to do to get out in front and get that extension toward the glove."
Johnson made his first start for the White Sox at Kansas City on Sunday. The 2011 second-round draft pick beat the Royals while allowing 3 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings.
"It really felt like just another start," Johnson said. "I went through my warmups, I went through my regular routine and then got right on the mound and then in the game. It's all just click, click, click, like knocking down dominoes. I thought it went well.
"I was aggressive inside the zone with all four of my pitches. They connected with a few swings, but that's going to happen with an aggressive-swinging team when you're around the plate the entire time."
With Jeff Samardzija headed to the free-agent market at the end of the season, Johnson is the leading candidate to take his spot.
"I think I have the stuff," Johnson said. "I have the command. It's a spot to be had, but it's something you've got to go out and get."
scouting report
White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet-Plus today; WGN Saturday; Comcast SportsNet Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Erik Johnson (1-0) vs. Ervin Santana (4-4) today at 7:10 p.m.; Jose Quintana (8-10) vs. Tommy Milone (8-4) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Chris Sale (12-8) vs. Kyle Gibson (9-10) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox have struggled against the Twins this season, going 5-11 while being outscored 93-47. In his last two games, Jose Abreu is 5-for-8 with a double, 2 home runs and 3 RBI. The Sox have hit 11 home runs in their last six games. Minnesota is getting big production from rookie designated hitter Miguel Sano, who is batting .281 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in 57 games.
Next: Oakland Athletics at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday-Thursday
- Scot Gregor