Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Left Handed Pitcher Brian Johnson

The BoSox Injection team grades the 2018 season for each member of the Boston Red Sox. Up next is left-handed pitcher Brian Johnson.

Brian Johnson was once a top prospect after being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2012. Since then, injuries and other unfortunate events had derailed his career.

He has taken batted or thrown balls to the head three times now, with one in 2012 fracturing multiple bones in his face. In 2015, he was robbed at gunpoint in his car in Florida. In 2016, he contemplated retiring while batting depression and anxiety. Regardless of his performance, it is hard to not appreciate and respect him for never giving up. The fact that he found a way to battle through everything and still make it to the majors is extremely admirable.

Coming into the season with no minor league options, Johnson had to win a job in Spring Training as a spot starter and long reliever. In five Spring Training starts, he posted a 1.72 ERA and was part of the rotation to open the season due to Steven Wright being suspended, Eduardo Rodriguez recovering from injury, and Drew Pomeranz getting hurt.

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He made one start during that time, allowing 1 run over 6 innings against the Miami Marlins on April 2nd. He was moved to the bullpen after Rodriguez returned for what would have been his second turn in the rotation.

Overall, he pitched in 38 games, 13 of them being starts, and posted a 4.17 ERA and a 4.68 FIP.  He was the preferred spot starter over his spot starting counterpart Hector Velazquez.

Johnson was left off the postseason roster, mainly due to the fact that a spot starter/long reliever is not needed as much in the postseason.

Grade

This season earns Johnson a B-. Although the numbers are not the prettiest, Johnson was a reliable starter when needed and did a nice job eating innings out of the pen. He certainly was not a star by any means but was a solid option if someone went down.

Looking ahead to 2019

In 2019, Johnson will once again have to earn a spot on the roster. It is also possible the Red Sox test the trade market with him and sees if a team is interested in him as a full-time rotation piece. Being out of minor league options leaves the Red Sox with limited choices.

I think he’ll likely be back, due to the injury histories of Wright and Rodriguez. Although he may not put up fantastic stats, he is a valuable member of a team in a 162 game season, where teams need more than just their 5 rotation members.