SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Johnson Named Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month

Published on September 4, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK - The Chicago Cubs announced Thursday that Tennessee Smokies right-handed starting pitcher Pierce Johnson has been named the club's Minor League Pitcher of the Month for the month of August.

In six outings last month for Tennessee, the Colorado native combined for a 2-0 record and 1.72 ERA (6 ER in 31.1 IP), adding 34 strikeouts and a 1.12 WHIP in that time frame. The righty took no-hit bids into the sixth inning in two consecutive starts between August 3-10, and ranked second in the Southern League in strikeouts in August, as well as fifth in earned-run average. In addition, Johnson last month paced all Cubs farmhands in strikeouts, in addition to second in ERA and fourth in WHIP.

Overall this season, the 23-year-old recorded a 5-4 clip and 2.55 ERA (26 ER in 91.2 IP) over 18 appearances, including 17 starts, with the Smokies, adding 91 punchouts. The right-hander enjoyed a solid second half campaign, compiling a 4-3 mark and 1.80 ERA (13 ER in 65.0 IP) over 12 starts with the Smokies while striking out 69 and accumulating a 1.11 WHIP. No qualified Southern League pitcher's earned-run average was lower than Johnson's in the second half of the year.

Johnson becomes the third 2014 Smokies player to be honored with a monthly award by the Cubs this season after outfielder Jorge Soler and infielder Kris Bryant were named Minor League Hitter of the Month for the months of July and May, respectively. It's also the second time in a calendar year Johnson has been honored by the Cubs as Minor League Pitcher of the Month after receiving the same award for the month of August in 2013.

The right-hander was selected by the Cubs in the first supplemental round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Missouri State University. In 49 outings (46 starts) over his Minor League career, Johnson has compiled a 16-11 record and 2.68 ERA (69 ER in 232.0 IP) along with 237 punchouts.

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from September 4, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central