Joel Johnston

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=darkblue
bgcolor2=maroon
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Joel Johnston
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1967|3|8|
debutdate=September 5
debutyear=by|1991
debutteam=Kansas City Royals
finaldate=May 12
finalyear=by|1995
finalteam=Boston Red Sox
stat1label=ERA
stat1value=4.31
stat2label=Record
stat2value=3-5
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=61
teams=
*Kansas City Royals (1991-1992)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (1993-1994)
*Boston Red Sox (1995)
highlights=
*0.40 ERA in 13 games in 1991.

Joel Raymond Johnston (born March 8, 1967 in West Chester, Pennsylvania) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played 5 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox. He was 6'4", 220 pounds, and he also threw and batted right-handed. Johnston attended Marple Newtown High School and eventually Penn State University. Johnston was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1988 amateur entry draft by the Royals. Less than 5 seasons later, he would make his Major League debut-he debuted on September 5, 1991 at the age of 24. Perhaps his rookie season was his best season-in just over 22 innings, he gave up only one earned run for an incredibly low ERA of only 0.40. He also struck out 21 batters that year.

After his promising rookie season, Johnston entered a "sophomore slump" he never really escaped. The closest he ever got to his incredible rookie season was in 1993, when he had an ERA of 3.38. In the other three seasons he pitched (he only pitched in a total of 13 games in 1992, 1994 and 1995 combined), his ERAs were 13.50 (1992), 29.70 (1994) and 11.25 (1995).

Johnston pitched his final Major League game on May 12, 1995.

Transaction

On November 19, 1992, Johnston was traded with pitcher Dennis Moeller from the Royals to the Pirates for second baseman Jose Lind.

Batting

In 6 career at-bats, Johnston collected two hits, including a double.

Fielding

Johnston committed only two errors in his career, both in 1994.

Salaries

In 1992, Johnston made $113,500. In 1994 he made $130,000.

Uniform Numbers

Johnston wore multiple uniform numbers during his career:

58-Royals (1991)
37-Royals (1992)
64-Pirates
45-Red Sox

Baseball America Honors

According to Baseball America, in 1992 Johnston was the Royals top prospect, and was also number 59 on Baseball America's 1992 All-Time Top 100 Prospects list.

Other

*Johnston currently resides in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
*Johnston was a teammate of Dennis Moeller for five seasons, longer than any other teammate.

ources

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