Johnston hoping to turn corner

02/22/2006
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Mike Johnston is accustomed to having to beat long odds.
In 2004, the hard-throwing southpaw made the Pirates out of Spring Training despite having never previously pitched above the Double-A level. In doing so, Johnston joined former outfielder Jim Eisenreich as just the second person with Tourette's Syndrome ever to make it to the big leagues.
Johnston faces yet another challenge this spring. He is no higher than fourth on the depth chart for a Pirates team that is loaded with left-handed relief pitching. To avoid a return trip to Triple-A Indianapolis, Johnston will likely have to beat out more accomplished southpaws in Damaso Marte and John Grabow.
"This is a very big year for me," said Johnston. "I want to go out there and do the best I can to get to the big leagues and prove that I am worth keeping around."
Johnston, 27, has endured many more bad times than good since his rookie season with the Bucs.
After posting an impressive 1.84 ERA during his first two months in the big leagues, Johnston began to experience pain in his left elbow. He allowed nine runs in his next 10 outings and was subsequently put on the disabled list.
"I did pretty well for the first two months and then ran into a little trouble with the arm," said Johnston. I went to the Minor Leagues and never really recovered."
Johnston admits that he was crushed when he learned the Pirates would not bring him back to the big leagues following his Minor League rehab assignment.
"I just fell apart from there," said Johnston, who would go on to post an 8.40 ERA in 19 appearances at Triple-A. "It was tough. I let it get to me a little bit too much.
"You get to the big leagues and you expect to be there. When you go down to the Minor Leagues it is a big disappointment. It really took its toll on me and my performance resulted from it."
Johnston's problems continued when a recurring blister on his middle finger sidelined him for much of last spring and prevented him from seriously competing for a big league roster spot. This time, however, Johnston was determined to make the most of his trip back to the Minors. He allowed just one earned run from mid-April until early June and was recalled to Pittsburgh on June 23.
Johnston lasted just four days and one outing with the Pirates before being sent back down. In his lone appearance, he was touched up for four runs in one inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.
"I just didn't have it that day," said Johnston, who later learned that he was tipping off his pitches by lifting his arm for a curveball and keeping it down for a fastball. "They basically knew exactly what was coming. When they know what's coming, that team's not going to miss it."
Undeterred, Johnston returned to Triple-A Indianapolis and pitched well before his elbow began flaring up again. He was diagnosed with lateral tendinitis in his left elbow and shut down for the season Aug. 26.
"It wasn't as bad as my year in the big leagues. They just shut me down for precautionary reasons," said Johnston. "I was pitching really good down there and I thought I would get a big league callup."
Johnston spent the offseason trying to get into the best shape of his life. He and his new bride, Michelle, purchased a house in Altoona, Pa. and installed a exercise room in their basement. He worked out three hours per day so that he could be in top physical condition for Spring Training.
"I really killed myself this offseason with running," said Johnston. "There was no excuse for not making it to the gym. My gym is in my basement."
If the first week of camp is any indication, the hard work seems to be paying off. According to Pirates director of development Brian Graham, Johnston appears to be throwing free and easy for the first time since 2004.
"Last year, the velocity was down and I'm not convinced he was 100 percent healthy," said Graham. "He looks a lot better this year. He's thrown the ball well and it's nice to see him at the point he's at right now."
Johnston has also impressed new pitching coach Jim Colborn as a quick study.
"He's shown significant improvement," said Colborn. "He's in the top few guys in terms of tidying up his delivery."
Although Johnston remains a long shot to make the team out of Spring Training unless another pitcher ahead of him is injured, the Pirates are reluctant to count him out of the running.
"He's certainly in the mix with the left-handers that we have," said Pirates GM Dave Littlefield. "He's a very talented guy and we have high hopes for him. More than anything, he needs to perform well."
"Mike Johnston is a competitor. He's a guy that cares about his job," said Graham. "I have confidence that he's going to get back to the big leagues."
For Johnston, whose wife is expecting the couple's first child Oct. 4, a change of address would suit him just fine.
"I wouldn't mind selling that Altoona house," said Johnston. "I want to get a house in Pittsburgh."

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/