Thursday, September 6, 2001

[ PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL ]

Mark Johnson, former
UH Rainbow, waits for the call.

Johnson awaits
Tigers’ call

The former first-round pick
improves at Triple-A and hopes
for a return to the majors

---

By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.com

MARK JOHNSON'S 2001 statistics are better than a year ago, when he made the Detroit Tigers' roster as a Rule 5 draft selection from the New York Yankees' organization.

The uncertainty that accompanied his starting the 2000 season on the Tigers major league roster, a requirement for Rule 5 players, affected his performance.

"Last year I was having a lot of mental problems, not knowing if I was coming or going being a Rule 5 pick. This was especially true in the big leagues, where every day out I knew my job was on the line," Johnson said.

This is part of a series profiling professional baseball players from Hawaii. Tomorrow, Onan Masaoka of Hilo will be featured.

In nine appearances with Detroit, Johnson was 0-1 with a 7.50 earned run average. The Tigers decided he wasn't quite ready for the majors, but weren't ready to give up on the former Hawaii right-hander. Instead of offering Johnson back to the Yankees, another Rule 5 requirement, Detroit designated him for assignment for the purpose of giving him an irrevocable release.

Johnson then signed a two-year deal with Detroit's top farm team -- Toledo in the International League.

He was 2-11 with a 6.57 ERA for Toledo a year ago. This season he finished with a 7-11 record and a 4.79 ERA in 24 starts for the last-place Mud Hens. His strikeout (79) to walk (24) ratio was excellent.

"I think I've had a good year. I think I've put myself in consideration to be called up," Johnson said.

Unfortunately, Detroit didn't see it that way when major league rosters expanded to 40 players Sept. 1.

Johnson was named the International League Pitcher of the Week earlier in the season and pitched an inning in the Triple-A All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

"This year, I'm pitching with more confidence and competing well," said Johnson. "I've always tried to pitch rather than just throw. It's just being able to convice yourself the pitch you throw is the right pitch.

"This year I have more of a plan of what I want to do in executing the pitch. If you have confidence, then you should be above to throw that pitch."

He did miss three starts in late July and early August when he pulled the oblique muscle in his back.

Johnson could be a free agent at the end of the season. It depends on what Detroit's hierarchy decides.

He still could be added to the Tigers' 40-man winter roster. If that does not happen, Johnson becomes a free agent and can shop around.

Mark Johnson's career statistics

Height: 6-3. Weight: 226. Throws: Right. Bats: Right. Schools: Springboro (Ohio) HS, U. of Hawaii

Year, Team, League	G	IP	W	L	Pct.	H	ER	BB	SO	ERA
1997-Kissimmee, Florida State	26	155-1/3	8	9	.471	150	53	39	127	3.07
1998-Portland (Me.), Eastern	26	142-1/3	5	14	.263	147	73	60	120	4.62
1999-Yankees, Gulf Coast	3	11	0	3	.000	15	10	5	10	8.18
1999-Tampa, Florida State	1	6	1	0	1.000	4	1	1	6	1.50
1999-Norwich, Eastern	16	88	9	3	.750	88	36	39	52	3.68
2000-Detroit, American	9	24	0	1	.000	25	20	16	11	7.50
2000-Toledo, International	17	100	2	11	.154	142	73	26	48	6.57
2001-Toledo, International	24	141	7	11	.389	170	75	24	79	4.79
Minor League Totals	113	643-2/3	32	51	.386	716	321	194	442	4.49
Major League Totals	9	24	0	1	.000	25	20	16	11	7.50

Highlights

>> Drafted in the 1st round (19th overall) by the Houston Astros, June 4, 1996.

>> With the U.S. Olympic team until the final cut, Johnson did not sign until August 30, 1996.

>> Finished 10th in the Florida State League with a 3.07 earned run average in 1997.

>> Traded by the Houston Astros to the Florida Marlins, December 16, 1997, to complete the November 11 trade that sent outfielder Moises Alou to Houston and right-handed pitchers Oscar Henriquez and Manuel Barrios to Florida.

>> Led Portland (Me.) in defeats (14), earned runs (73) and strikeouts (120) in 1998.

>> Traded by the Florida Marlins with left-handed pitcher Ed Yarnell and right-handed pitcher Todd Noel to the New York Yankees for third baseman mike Lowell, Feburary 1, 1999.

>> Assigned to extended spring training by the New York Yankees, April 28, 1999. Returned to Norwich, May 7, 1999.

>> On the disabled list (fractured jaw), May 22 to July 14, 1999.

>> Selected by the Detroit Tigers from the New York Yankees in the Rule 5 major league draft, December 13, 1999.

>> Designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers, June 26, 2000. Released June 28, 2000.

>> Named to the American League team for the Triple A All-Star game in 2001.