He was only with the Lookouts for two starts, then was traded to the Orioles with teammate Josh Bell for George Sherrill. Bell, 22, was ranked #6 on the Dodgers Top 50 Prospect list by LADugout and Dodgers Dugout newsmagazine. Johnson, 21, was rated #10. They were both assigned to Bowie of the AA Eastern League.
Both players adapted well and performed admirably for Bowie down the stretch. Josh hit .289 with 9 homeruns for Bowie and combined with his .296 and 11 homeruns at Chattanooga, he finished his first AA season at .295 with 20 homeruns.
Steve finished strong as well. After going 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA for the Lookouts he pitched seven games for Bowie where he compiled a 3-2 record with a 2.84 ERA.
He won his last 3 starts and was named Pitcher of the Week for the Eastern League.
His combined 2009 stats:
w-l era gm gs in h bb so ave
InEm 8-4 3.82 18 16 96.2 94 42 102 .260
Chat 1-1 1.69 2 2 10.2 8 3 16 .205
Bowie 3-2 2.84 7 7 38.0 24 17 37 .179
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Total 12-7 3.41 27 25 145.1 126 62 154 .236
In his fifth year of professional baseball, having signed out of high school at age 17, Johnson must be protected on the Major League roster or be subject to the Rule V draft in December.
The thought is that he will be placed on the Baltimore 40-man roster and perhaps be invited to spring training with the big club in 2010.
Josh Bell
Bell's 2009 stats:
team ave gm ab r h 2b 3b hr bi sb
Chat .296 94 334 47 99 30 2 11 76 3-5
Bowie .289 33 114 18 33 5 0 9 24 0-0
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Total .295 127 448 65 132 35 2 20 76 3-5
Steve and Josh have many friends among the Dodgers fans and officials who all wish both of the young men the best of luck in the future.