Angels take rushing prospects to a new level
Posted: 26 Mar 2025 08:53 am
Angels have a history of pushing draft picks fast. Well, they’ve outdone themselves now.
Ryan Johnson, a 2nd round pick from Dallas Baptist last year, will make his pro debut in the MLB as he makes the opening day roster out of ST.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/444 ... ources-say
“ Right-hander Ryan Johnson made the Los Angeles Angels' Opening Day roster and will debut in the major leagues without having played a single minor league game.
Johnson, who is 22 and was drafted in the second round last year, signed for $1.75 million but did not pitch after throwing 106 innings in his junior season at Dallas Baptist. Once he debuts -- Johnson is expected to work out of the bullpen -- he would be the first player to skip the minor leagues entirely since Garrett Crochet, who joined the Chicago White Sox in 2020, when the minor league season was canceled because of COVID-19.
"We believe he's going to be a starter eventually," Angels GM Perry Minasian said. "I'm very strong on that. There's tons of examples of guys who have broken in the bullpen and eventually started."
Johnson will be only the third player since 2001 to play in the big leagues without a minor league appearance, joining Crochet and right-hander Mike Leake (2010). Since the implementation of the draft in 1965, only 23 players before Johnson have been moved straight to the big leagues.“
Ryan Johnson, a 2nd round pick from Dallas Baptist last year, will make his pro debut in the MLB as he makes the opening day roster out of ST.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/444 ... ources-say
“ Right-hander Ryan Johnson made the Los Angeles Angels' Opening Day roster and will debut in the major leagues without having played a single minor league game.
Johnson, who is 22 and was drafted in the second round last year, signed for $1.75 million but did not pitch after throwing 106 innings in his junior season at Dallas Baptist. Once he debuts -- Johnson is expected to work out of the bullpen -- he would be the first player to skip the minor leagues entirely since Garrett Crochet, who joined the Chicago White Sox in 2020, when the minor league season was canceled because of COVID-19.
"We believe he's going to be a starter eventually," Angels GM Perry Minasian said. "I'm very strong on that. There's tons of examples of guys who have broken in the bullpen and eventually started."
Johnson will be only the third player since 2001 to play in the big leagues without a minor league appearance, joining Crochet and right-hander Mike Leake (2010). Since the implementation of the draft in 1965, only 23 players before Johnson have been moved straight to the big leagues.“