Crash Course
03-23-2004, 10:42 AM
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/sports/8101818.htm
What sets Mike Johnston apart from most other pitching prospects is obvious after watching him throw about three pitches.
"You don't see left-handers throw that hard very often," Pittsburgh Pirates minor-league pitching coordinator Gary Ruby said.
Johnston, 24, is rated as the Pirates' 11th-best prospect by Baseball America magazine. He has a 95-mph fastball and a slider that breaks so sharply some hitters swear it's a curveball.
Now in spring training in Bradenton, Fla., he could be with the Pirates on April 5 when they open the season against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park.
"He's extremely impressive," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I like his future a lot. He has a chance to be special."
Equally impressive, he's overcome a misunderstood disorder and his share of verbal and physical abuse to reach the major-league threshhold.
Johnston was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome when he was 10 years old, while playing Little League baseball in the Philadelphia suburb of Darby. He has battled the condition, which, in his case, consists primarily of nervous tics, ever since.
Amazing story, considering he was a HS drop out.
What sets Mike Johnston apart from most other pitching prospects is obvious after watching him throw about three pitches.
"You don't see left-handers throw that hard very often," Pittsburgh Pirates minor-league pitching coordinator Gary Ruby said.
Johnston, 24, is rated as the Pirates' 11th-best prospect by Baseball America magazine. He has a 95-mph fastball and a slider that breaks so sharply some hitters swear it's a curveball.
Now in spring training in Bradenton, Fla., he could be with the Pirates on April 5 when they open the season against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park.
"He's extremely impressive," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I like his future a lot. He has a chance to be special."
Equally impressive, he's overcome a misunderstood disorder and his share of verbal and physical abuse to reach the major-league threshhold.
Johnston was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome when he was 10 years old, while playing Little League baseball in the Philadelphia suburb of Darby. He has battled the condition, which, in his case, consists primarily of nervous tics, ever since.
Amazing story, considering he was a HS drop out.