Top Pick Johnson, Thompson Join Chiefs
June 7, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
PEORIA, ILâ The Peoria Chiefs in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced that last year's top draft choice Grant Johnson and RHP Nick Thompson will join the Chiefs Tuesday. Thompson will be on the roster and activated for Tuesday night's game against Lansing while Johnson will not yet be on the active Peoria roster. To make room for Thompson, LHP Ed Campusano has been placed on the DL with a left elbow ulnar neuritis.
Johnson was the Cubs first pick in the 2004 draft, taken off the board in the 2nd round out of Notre Dame. The right-hander didn't sign until mid-August and suffered a hamstring injury in spring training delaying his professional debut. It is not immediately known whose slot on the roster Johnson will take or when he will make his 2005 debut with the Chiefs.
The LaGrange, Illinois native went 6-0 in 2004 for the Fighting Irish and led the Big East with a 1.87 ERA in 14 starts. He finished his college career 15-5. As a high school star, Johnson led Lyons Township High School to the AA state semifinals in both baseball and basketball. He went 29-6 in high school with a 1.53 ERA and 8 saves en route to being named the AP Player of the Year in Illinois as a senior with a 12-1 record.
Thompson is a right-handed reliever joining the Chiefs from Extended Spring Training in Mesa, AZ. He was signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in 2004 and spent all of the 2004 season in the Arizona Rookie League with Mesa. In 11 appearances in 2004, Thompson was 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA and one save. He struck out 18 and walked just seven in 15 innings of work. Thompson played his college ball at High Point University in North Carolina.
Campusano has appeared in 19 games for the Chiefs in 2005 posting a 2-2 record with a 2.63 ERA and one save. In 27 1/3 innings he struck out 23 and walked 14 without allowing a home run. The left-hander was injured after his last outing in Clinton on May 29th in which he threw one shutout inning. He is expected to be out 7-10 days.
For more information check out the team website at www.peoriachiefs.com.
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