A top pitching prospect is headed straight to the major leagues without spending any time in the minors.
The Los Angeles Angels are promoting pitcher Ryan Johnson to their big league club after being impressed with him in spring training, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Tuesday. Johnson appeared in six games during spring training and struck out 10 batters over 11.1 innings. He posted a 3.97 ERA and is making it to the big club despite allowing home runs in consecutive appearances.
The Angels drafted Johnson in the second round last year out of Dallas Baptist with the No. 74 overall pick. Johnson had a breakout season as a junior in 2024 with DBU and went 11-2 with a 2.21 ERA. He was a compensatory pick the team received in return for losing Shohei Ohtani in free agency.
Johnson has a funky delivery where he doesn’t do a typical leg kick during his windup.
Ryan Johnson has made the Angels opening day roster without spending a day in the minors. He had an impressive outing yesterday where he struck out 4 in 2 innings of work and has looked great all spring.
— TheDynastyDigest (@Dynasty_Digest) March 25, 2025
Johnson has a deep pitch mix with a funky delivery, he leads with his… pic.twitter.com/vulJ4h6B7f
Ryan Johnson from @DBU_Baseball makes for an uncomfortable AB.
— Pitching Coach "U" (@PitchingCoachU) March 8, 2024
Up to 97 with good east/west profile and funky delivery.
In 19 IP so far this season:
3.79 ERA
0.86 FIP
44.7% K
2.6% BB
Perfect example of a guy that is CRUSHING process goals.
ERA will reflect that soon. pic.twitter.com/xknlYZlGia
Johnson is the latest player the Angels have fast-tracked to the big leagues.
The Angels drafted Zach Neto in the first round in 2022 and called him up to the majors very quickly in 2023. He was their everyday shortstop last season and played well. They drafted Nolan Schanuel No. 11 overall in 2023 and called him up to the majors that same year after he had spent just 22 games in the minors. The Angels drafted relief pitcher Ben Joyce in 2022 and had him in the big leagues the following season.
The last player to skip the minors and go straight to MLB was Garrett Crochet, who made his MLB debut in the shortened 2020 season. Now it’s Johnson joining that group.
