There is no denying how good the number sixth ranked prospect in the Cubs organization, Pierce Johnson, is but in his last 29 innings, he has been unreal.
After coming back from an injury on July 2, he pitched 7.1 innings not allowing a run on one hit while striking out five against Montgomery earning the victory. He then, however, struggled in his next two starts allowing five runs on nine hits in 9.1 innings pitched.
That might have been the wake up call that he needed as in his last five starts he has been by far the best pitcher in the Smokies rotation. In 29 innings he has allowed just two earned runs on just 14 hits and striking out 33 batters. In those five starts he is 3-1 with a 0.62 ERA and batters are hitting .149 against him.
Johnson is already a part of a rotation that boast’s three more of the Cubs top pitching prospects as they have C.J. Edwards (#3), Corey Black (#15), and Ivan Pineyro (#21), but his performance of late could arguably make him their best one. If his play is any indication of what his potential is, he could very well be seeing the ivy at Wrigley Field sooner than expected.
Andrew Green
jrocke
npattill
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[…] pitching prospect Pierce Johnson is blazing hot of late, which you can read about here. Now that he’s fully healthy (hamstring and calf injuries), he’s showing why some […]