Padres Editorial: Five Padres Who Need A Good Spring Training

P- Josh Johnson

I had to pick a pitcher, so why not go with one who’s coming off Tommy John surgery? Johnson was a part of the big Marlins to Blue Jays deal a few years ago. He went 3-6 with an ERA over six. He signed a one-year deal with the Padres, but needed Tommy John surgery.  The Padres re-signed him to a very incentive-laden contract.

Johnson needs to prove he can actually pitch again. The Padres basically have two open spots and about five or six guys who will get a shot, and most of them, like Johnson are coming off of the surgery.

Johnson is coming into a big time prove it season. He was once one of the best up and coming pitchers in the game. If he can show anything, he could put himself in line for a very big pay day next season. Next off-season has a whole slew of big time potential free agent pitchers, so Johnson will need this year to try and stand out a bit.

There are questions you can ask about every potential starter on the Padres. If Johnson can give them some innings and show some velocity, then putting him in the four spot behind Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner could prove to be a formidable rotation.