The Philadelphia Phillies are planning to call up rookie right-hander Seth Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make the start for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. Johnson was a shortstop in junior college in 2018 before being drafted with the 40th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019 out of Campbell. He was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in the trade that sent left-handed reliever Gregory Soto to the O's at the trade deadline. Due to Tommy John surgery in 2022, the 25-year-old right-hander made only 37 starts in pro ball before this season. The Phillies' No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has a 2.33 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 42 walks in 88 2/3 innings for Lehigh Valley and Double-A Bowie and Reading in 2024. Johnson makes for an intriguing deep-league streamer in a good matchup against Miami, but he's going to need to show better command.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitching prospect Seth Johnson was traded to the Phillies in exchange for relief pitcher Gregory Soto on Tuesday. Johnson got his first extended look at Double-A this summer and held his own with a 2.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 35:61 BB:K ratio. Since June 1, the 25-year-old has held a 1.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 18:30 BB:K ratio. Johnson will likely remain in Double-A over the next few weeks but could get a brief taste of Triple-A ball later this summer. The right-hander will join a strong Philadelphia pitching system that has potential stars in Andrew Painter and Mick Abel. Johnson is a name to keep an eye on in dynasty leagues, as he should push for his major league debut sometime next summer.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitching prospect Seth Johnson has remained steady through the first half of the season at Double-A Bowie and could see a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk at the end of the season. Through 57 innings, the Campbell University product holds a 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and a 34:57 BB:K ratio. This is a great sign, as the 25-year-old missed a majority of last season due to Tommy John surgery. In 2022, Johnson posted a modest 3.00 ERA, and 1.26 WHIP at High-A. The right-hander is considered the ninth-best prospect in the Baltimore system on MLB.com and is on track to meet his 2025 major league ETA.
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Seth Johnson (elbow), who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, said he's "hoping to be able to pitch by next August, maybe in some Complex League games." Johnson came to Baltimore in a three-team trade that involved the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros on Aug. 1. Per MLB Pipeline, Johnson is Baltimore's No. 10 prospect. In seven games before his injury in 2022, he had a 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 41 strikeouts and 11 walks in 27 innings for High-A Bowling Green. The O's like what they have long term in the 24-year-old, but he won't be at 100 percent until 2024. Johnson is a late bloomer with a high-90s fastball and a swing-and-miss slider as his primary offerings.
Seth Johnson
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Phillies
