Making Jim Johnson a starter

[rjc3]

There was some talk on Twitter from both Brit Ghiroli and Roch Kubatko that the O's are considering moving Jim Johnson to the rotation towards the end of this season to see if he's a rotation candidate for next year.

Personally, I like the move. Johnson has real good stuff, throws hard, has great ground ball rates, and doesn't give up many free passes. I'd be all for moving Johnson into the rotation.

[A_K]

Jim Palmer's been talking about JJ as a starter for the better part of two years. Somewhere along the line this year, he convinced me. He's a big guy who should certainly be able to handle the workload and has the stuff to work through a lineup multiple times. His GB rates are exactly what a pitcher needs to succeed in Camden Yards, and he's had plenty of experience getting big league hitters out during his last few years pitching out of the bullpen. If he gets stretched out as a starter and struggles, you can always move him back to the pen and know that he'll succeed. It makes perfect sense to me.

[rjc3]

Jim Palmer's been talking about JJ as a starter for the better part of two years. Somewhere along the line this year, he convinced me. He's a big guy who should certainly be able to handle the workload and has the stuff to work through a lineup multiple times. His GB rates are exactly what a pitcher needs to succeed in Camden Yards, and he's had plenty of experience getting big league hitters out during his last few years pitching out of the bullpen. If he gets stretched out as a starter and struggles, you can always move him back to the pen and know that he'll succeed. It makes perfect sense to me.

I agree, I'm just a bit concerned about the low K rate but I still think it would be a smooth transition. He has started before as well.

[Don]

Wait until next season. If they tinker with him now, there is reason to think that a previous injury will re-surface for what reason, to eat some innings? Bring up someone who has not worked enough this season and do not get cute and fancy by risking to destroy a promising young arm.

[rjc3]

Wait until next season. If they tinker with him now, there is reason to think that a previous injury will re-surface for what reason, to eat some innings? Bring up someone who has not worked enough this season and do not get cute and fancy by risking to destroy a promising young arm.

How many starts would you give him this year?

Not sure if you think this would be too many innings, but maybe they could slide him into the rotation if they deal Guthrie.

[LukeScottsShotgun]

Wait until next season. If they tinker with him now, there is reason to think that a previous injury will re-surface for what reason, to eat some innings? Bring up someone who has not worked enough this season and do not get cute and fancy by risking to destroy a promising young arm.

Totally agree. Heck, Tillman's in AAA. I wouldn't start the transition until next year. Let Jim spend the offseason preparing to be a starter. I think his stuff is way too good to not at least see if he can be a starter. He has 4 pitches and very good command. Anybody know how his velocity was when he was a starting pitcher in the minors?

[rjc3]

Totally agree. Heck, Tillman's in AAA. I wouldn't start the transition until next year. Let Jim spend the offseason preparing to be a starter. I think his stuff is way too good to not at least see if he can be a starter. He has 4 pitches and very good command. Anybody know how his velocity was when he was a starting pitcher in the minors?

Checked his average fastball velocity from his MLB start in 2006. Average fastball was 89 mph.

Not sure exactly though, could be lower because it was toward the end of the season. Don might know.