Joel Johnston
Encyclopedia
Joel Raymond Johnston is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. He played 5 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Kansas City Royals
and Boston Red Sox
. He was 6'5", 220 pounds, and he also threw and batted right-handed. Johnston attended Marple Newtown High School and Penn State University.
by the Royals. Less than 5 seasons later, on September 5, 1991, he made his major league debut at the age of 24. Perhaps his rookie season was his best season—in just over 22 inning
s, he gave up only one earned run for an ERA
of 0.40. He also struck out
21 batters that year.
According to Baseball America
, in 1992 Johnston was the Royals top prospect, and was also number 59 on Baseball America's 1992 Top 100 Prospects list.
After his promising rookie season, Johnston pitched in just 5 games in , posting an ERA of 13.50. After the season Johnston was traded to the Pirates with pitcher Dennis Moeller
for second baseman
José Lind
, and he rebounded to an ERA of 3.38 in 33 games. However, after brief trials producing poor ERAs of 29.70 (1994) and 11.25 (1995), Johnston pitched his final major league game on May 12, 1995.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He played 5 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. He was 6'5", 220 pounds, and he also threw and batted right-handed. Johnston attended Marple Newtown High School and Penn State University.
Career
Johnston was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1988 amateur entry draft1988 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1988 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-External links:*...
by the Royals. Less than 5 seasons later, on September 5, 1991, he made his major league debut at the age of 24. Perhaps his rookie season was his best season—in just over 22 inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
s, he gave up only one earned run for an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 0.40. He also struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
21 batters that year.
According to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, in 1992 Johnston was the Royals top prospect, and was also number 59 on Baseball America's 1992 Top 100 Prospects list.
After his promising rookie season, Johnston pitched in just 5 games in , posting an ERA of 13.50. After the season Johnston was traded to the Pirates with pitcher Dennis Moeller
Dennis Moeller
Dennis Michael Moeller is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1992 to 1993.-Before professional baseball:...
for second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
José Lind
José Lind
José Lind Salgado, nicknamed "Chico", is a former Major League Baseball player, and former manager of the Atlantic League's Bridgeport Bluefish. He is the cousin of Onix Concepcion, another MLB player. Primarily a second baseman, Lind was highly regarded for his defensive skills, winning a Gold...
, and he rebounded to an ERA of 3.38 in 33 games. However, after brief trials producing poor ERAs of 29.70 (1994) and 11.25 (1995), Johnston pitched his final major league game on May 12, 1995.