GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- He was the first pitcher drafted by Theo Epstein and his staff back in 2012. Now righty Pierce Johnson is attempting to become the first hurler drafted at any time by the current front office to throw a pitch for the Chicago Cubs.
Through four amateur drafts no arm has made it to the big leagues, but Saturday’s performance against the Cleveland Indians was the best step yet for Johnson. He had struggled this spring leading up to Saturday but outpitched Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber, giving up just three hits, zero walks and no runs over four innings.
“I’ve been thinking mechanically (on the mound) earlier this spring,” Johnson said after the game. “Today I had more confidence going in. That helped me execute.”
If it's confidence he needs he’s hanging out with the right player, as Johnson has been taken under the wing by Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta. Their bond started last year, and they’ve spent plenty of time together this spring, as their throwing days have been synced together. It seems to be helping Johnson, who’s been plagued by injuries in his minor league career.
“I told him he’s right where he needs to be,” Arrieta said earlier on Saturday. “His direction is incredibly different than it was last year. His rotation on his ball is true. His timing is good. I told him it’s going to translate, you just need to block out all the other B.S. between the lines.”
In other words Johnson needs to think less and just pitch more. Adjustments come in between starts, not during them. The 24 year-old has his ears wide open.
“What a good guy,” he said of Arrieta. “He’s taken me even more under his wing ... After outings we would diagnose everything; what went wrong, what went right.”
A lot went right for Johnson on Saturday, including buckling down to get the next batter after he gave up a couple of two-out extra-base hits. He looked calm and collected even with the knowledge he’s going to the minors, as the Cubs sent him down on Friday. He’s motivated to eventually rejoin some old teammates; he’s played with several of the Cubs hitters who are now mainstays in the majors.
“I’m excited to get up there and play with those guys again,” Johnson said. “I’m a little jealous they’re up there already having success.”
As for being that first pitcher drafted by Senior Vice-President of Player Development and Amateur Scouting Jason McLeod to make it to the majors, the Cubs are curious to see if Johnson is the guy.
“There’s been some bumps in the road for Pierce,” McLeod said, referring to past back and hamstring injuries. “He’s coming, and so are a wave of pitchers we’ve drafted. They’re getting close.”
Johnson found the bright side in his injuries, saying they gave him time to develop a changeup and to simply learn more about himself and the game. He now knows what it takes -- and help from Arrieta hasn't hurt.
“He’s right there,” Arrieta said. “It’s nothing on Days 1-4. It’s about staying locked in facing live hitters. He’s close and he knows it. We’re in contact quite a bit.”
That contact will presumably continue while Arrieta is defending his Cy Young award and Johnson is attempting to master Triple-A and get that call to the majors.
“Little things to build on,” Johnson said. “Hopefully I can make it up there sometime this year and contribute to the team.”